Ford Expands 3-Wet Paint Capacity by 50 Percent Globally in 2013 - BodyShop Business

Ford Expands 3-Wet Paint Capacity by 50 Percent Globally in 2013

Automaker says solventborne paint process has reduced its CO2 emissions by 15 to 25 percent and VOC emissions by 10 percent compared to either conventional solvent or waterborne.

Ford has announced that it is adding four more plants to its network of manufacturing operations that use its 3-Wet high-solids solventborne paint process. The process will be added to two facilities in the U.S., as well as one in China and one in Spain.

Ford, which was the first automaker to implement the high-solids solventborne 3-Wet technology in 2007, currently has eight plants in North America, Asia Pacific and Europe that use the process. The 3-Wet process has helped Ford reduce CO2 emissions by 15 to 25 percent and VOC emissions by 10 percent at those facilities where the process is used; similar reductions are expected at new 3-Wet facilities.

High-solids solventborne technology refers to a paint formulated to minimize solvents, resulting in a concentrated pigment and resin mixture with fewer VOCs released. The technology will be in place in 12 plants in 2013, then expand to additional facilities worldwide over the next four years.
 
“The 3-Wet paint process is significantly more advanced than conventional technologies in applying durable paints in a high-quality, environmentally sound and cost-efficient manner,” said Bruce Hettle, director of manufacturing engineering.
 
The 3-Wet process derives its name from three layers of paint applied one after the other prior to earlier coats having cured. The process eliminates stand-alone primer application and a dedicated oven required in the conventional process that was used before. Advanced chemical composition of 3-Wet paint materials allows for the three layers of paint – primer, basecoat and clearcoat – to be applied while each layer is still wet.
 
Enabling the 3-Wet high-solids solventborne paint formulation technology is a combination of process and product developed by Ford and its suppliers. Together, they have created a system they claim saves 20 to 25 percent of process time. Due to the eliminated stand-alone primer application and dedicated oven – both reducing the paint booth size – Ford saves electricity from the blowers that circulate massive volumes of air through paint booths, and reduces its use of natural gas needed to heat the air and ovens. This results in significant reductions of CO2 emissions, as well as reductions in VOC compared to current medium-solids and solventborne paints.
 
Locations where Ford is installing the 3-Wet process in 2013:

• Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Flat Rock, Mich.
• Kansas City Assembly Plant, Claycomo, Mo.
• Jiangling Motors Co. Ltd., Jiangxi/Nanchang, China
• Valencia Assembly Plant, Valencia, Spain

Locations with 3-Wet capability in North America:

• Ohio Assembly Plant, Avon Lake, Ohio
• Cuautitlan Assembly Plant, Cuautitlan, Mexico
• Michigan Assembly Plant, Wayne, Mich.
• Louisville Assembly Plant, Louisville, Ky.

Locations with 3-Wet capability in Asia Pacific:

• Chennai Assembly, Tamil Nadu, India
• CAF 2, Chongqing, China
• Ford Thailand Manufacturing, Rayong, Thailand

Location with 3-Wet capability in Europe:

• Craiova Assembly Plant, Craiova, Romania

You May Also Like

Corby’s Collision Center: Since 1942

Bentley (Bud) and Evelyn Corby started Corby’s in a little gas station in Honeoye Falls, N.Y.

Corby’s Collision, Inc. has been repairing vehicles since 1942 when Bentley (Bud) and Evelyn Corby started their automotive venture in Honeoye Falls, N.Y., in a little gas station on North Main Street. In 1954, the business moved to its present location at 1212 Rochester St., where they continued repairing vehicles and selling Arctic Cat and Ski Doo snowmobiles. In 1985, Larry and Bonnie Corby purchased the family business, expanding in 1996 when they opened a second location in the Canandaigua area as Corby’s Precision Collision at Ontario Imports in the Ontario Mazda building. In 1999, the Canandaigua business was moved to its present location at 2460 State Route 332. Now, as the third generation, Leslie (Corby) and Kelly Craft continue to carry on the family tradition.

CIF Announces Enterprise as Repeat Annual Donor

Enterprise has donated for the fourth consecutive time at the Urgent Care (second highest) tier.

NABC Donates Recycled Ride to Central Georgia Mom

The NAB), GEICO and Five Star Collision Center-Wimbish recently donated a refurbished vehicle to a deserving mother of four.

NABC Donates Recycled Rides at NORTHEAST Show

The NABC, GEICO, Mountain View Auto and Collision Center of New Jersey donated two refurbished vehicles at the recent NORTHEAST Show.

Crash Champions Expands in Idaho

Crash Champions has announced the acquisition of Addison Collision Repair in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Other Posts

Auto Care Association Welcomes GAO Report on Vehicle Repair Restrictions

The Auto Care Association is renewing its call for Congress to advance federal Right to Repair legislation that protects independent business owners and consumers.

ProColor Collision Welcomes First Shop in Montana

ProColor Collision Gallatin Valley is operated by Robert Rinta and Simon Gratch, who both served honorably in the Montana National Guard.

Association News

The latest association news appearing on bodyshopbusiness.com.

Podcasts of the Week

A review of some of the latest podcasts from BodyShop Business.