EcoSmart
Small to Medium Area Repair Technology
Colors On Parade is committed to SMART business both economically and environmentally. In an ever changing environment, Colors On Parade continues to ask what can be done to develop and apply SMART practices for all customers and business partners. The ecosmart System was established in order to provide high quality auto body repairs with low environmental impact.
With over 30 years of continual improvements to auto body repair methods and equipment, the ecosmart System employed by Colors On Parade utilizes advanced technology to meet the environmental needs of communities across the United States.
By focusing on the use of minimal materials, efficient equipment, unique processes, transportation costs and other factors, Colors On Parade’s ecosmart System is able to bring true efficiency to the portion of the auto body repair industry that it services.
Colors on Parade HAS BEEN GREEN from the beginning
Minimal Waste
- Repairs are focused on the smallest possible area.
- The typical total quantity of paint used in a repair is less than 100 grams.
- Technicians use paintless dent repair when possible, touch up systems and minimize the area painted by using patented spot blend technology.
- The small repair size of repairs reduces the emission of volatile organic compounds associated with smog and air pollution.
Environmental & Safety Standards
- EPA requirements are met through national, regional and local research, political involvement and education.
- With the low volume of paint and air pressure, transfer efficiency is achieved and very little (less than 10%) leaving spray guns enter the atmosphere.
- Technician repair systems utilize paint products that contain no heavy metals as defined by the EPA.
- Dust collection and tarp containment systems protect ground water in addition to proper disposal of other waste materials.
Over 30 Years in Over 30 States with Over 250 Locations
- Over seven patents for paint technology filed with the US government.
- 30 years of a successful business model.
- Over 250 franchises spanning more than 30 states.
Best Practices & Industry Standards
- Corporate representatives are highly involved in national industry tradeshows and educational seminars.
- Affiliation and participation in national dealership, fleet and automotive groups provide ongoing technological advances and industry standards.
- A national corporate research and development team provides opportunity to test products, programs and systems in a variety of environments providing recommendations that fit particular areas.
Energy Efficient
- Turbine spray systems are used on all units utilizing four times less electricity than a standard compressor system would require.
- Turbine equipment (up to 90 percent efficient) results in less overspray and less wasted materials.
- The turbine system’s efficiency reduces emissions of hazardous pollutants most typically associated with increased cancer risks.
Training, Research and Reporting
- All technicians receive ongoing nationally regulated training and certifications.
- Protective equipment is provided, regulated and safety fitted on a national level.
- Environmental, safety and efficiency is reviewed by nationally recognized research and development team.
- Technicians are certified and meet all EPA compliance laws. Notifications and compliance status is reported and filed annually.
- All mobile units undergo annual review for certification compliance.
- Ongoing support for technical and environmental best practices is available on a daily basis.
- Partners such as PPG and 3M work closely with area developers and managers to provide sufficient safety fitting and individualized training.
Colors On Parade ecosmart
— SPRAYING —
Spraying is done outdoors in a designated safe area with minimal materials released into the area requiring no ventilation or harm to people in the surrounding area.
Meets OSHA and NFPA requirements and eliminates fire hazards due to very small amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and flammable vapors released due to small size of repair areas. Provides safer work environment for technician.
HVLP turbine spray guns utilized.
The turbine system’s efficiency and our very small ecosmart repair sizes reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are associated with the formation of smog and typically regulated by Federal and State agencies as well as local air pollution control districts.
The turbine spray gun delivers significantly less overspray (wasted materials) than the compressor powered spray gun. This is due to the lower air pressure utilized by turbine spray guns.
ecosmart repair process includes mandatory spray efficiency training per 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart HHHHHH Refinish Area Source Rule.
— Materials Used —
The typical quantity of paint (primer, color & clear coat) mixed to perform an ecosmart repair is less than 100 grams.
The ecosmart repair process focuses on limiting the repair to the smallest possible area.
— Ground Water Protection —
The ecosmart repair system utilizes paint products that contain no “heavy metals” as defined by EPA 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart HHHHHH Refinish Area Source Rule.
The ecosmart repair process includes the protection of ground water by the collection of all sanding byproducts via dust collection systems or tarp containment systems.
— Energy Efficiency —
The onsite nature of the ecosmart System eliminates the fuel used to transport vehicles offsite to body shop facilities.
The electrical usage/efficiency of the turbine spray gun system is four times less costly to operate than a typical compressor spray gun system.
Typical Body Shop
— SPRAYING —
Spraying takes place in a paint booth with significant over spray and release of chemicals and materials that require ventilation through a system into the outdoors.
Isocyanates and flammable vapors pumped out vent stack – (NFPA). Required by OSHA and NFPA to protect painter in enclosed spray area.
HVLP compressor spray guns utilized.
The compressor system’s reduced efficiency and the larger nature of the repair sizes increase emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are associated with the formation of smog and typically regulated by Federal and State agencies as well as local air pollution control districts.
Due to higher air pressure utilized in a compressor spray gun significantly more overspray (wasted materials) is delivered than in a turbine powered spray gun.
— Materials Used —
Traditional body shop methods are not geared to limit the size of repairs. Larger repair areas produce more revenue.
The standard minimum quantity of paint (primer, color & clear coat) mixed by a body shop painter for the same repair is at least 200 grams.
— Ground Water Protection —
Body shop repair systems may utilize paint products that contain “heavy metals” as defined by EPA 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart HHHHHH Refinish Area Source Rule.
— Energy Efficiency —
The offsite nature of body shop repairs requires additional fuel to be used to transport vehicles to spray booth facilities.
The electrical usage/efficiency of the compressor spray gun system is four times more costly to operate than a typical turbine spray gun system.