Old Forge Collision Center announced its two repair centers in Landsdale and Chalfont, Pa., are the first in the state to convert to waterborne paints, using PPG’s low-VOC Aquabase line. The Landsdale location began using waterborne products about two weeks ago, and Chalfont switched last week.
Old Forge General Manager Bob Scarpello said his concern for the environment, especially in the neighborhoods Old Forge operates in, prompted the switch to “green” paints.
“It’s just the right thing to do,” Scarpello said. “It’s going to come our way anyway, so I figured we might as well get on board now.”
He added the $20,000 Old Forge spent on shop upgrades – which included new hand-held driers on stands – “didn’t hurt the pocketbook at all.” The shops’ three paint technicians also have been receptive to the change.
“I really thought at first that they would fight the change, but they really welcomed the change,” Scarpello said. “They love the product, they like the way it matches, and it’s been working really well for them.”
Scarpello believes there’s “no significant downside” to the waterborne switch and noted, “Not only is the paint better ecologically, it gives better color matches and it is faster to complete a repair compared to the system that most body shops use.”
Old Forge Collision is a locally owned family business that has operated for 26 years. To learn more, call Bob Scarpello or Pete Watson at 215-368-3100.
