Why More and More Repair Shops Are Choosing Waterborne Refinish Coatings

In recent years, an increasing number of automotive repair shops have started using waterborne refinish coatings instead of relying solely on traditional solvent-based paints. This shift is not only an environmental trend but also a strategic choice for repair shops seeking to enhance competitiveness and meet customer expectations.

So, what are the advantages of waterborne coatings, and why are they becoming the preferred choice for more and more repair shops?

1. Driven by Environmental Regulations

With increasingly strict environmental regulations, the VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions of automotive refinish coatings are under tighter control.

Regulatory requirements: Markets in Europe and North America already mandate low-VOC waterborne paints, and China is following suit.

Green image: Using eco-friendly waterborne coatings not only complies with regulations but also enhances the repair shop’s brand image in the eyes of customers.

2. Safer for Application

Compared to solvent-based paints, waterborne coatings are much safer during application:

Lower odor: Reduces the strong smell in the spray booth.

Higher safety: Lowers fire and explosion risks and reduces health hazards for workers.

This allows repair shops to provide a safer and more comfortable working environment for staff.

3. More Consistent Color Performance

Waterborne coatings also offer clear advantages in color quality:

High color accuracy: Can match OEM vehicle paint more precisely.

Stable over time: Coating remains colorfast and resists fading under UV exposure.

Efficient color matching: Paired with spectrophotometers and smart color-matching systems, waterborne coatings can quickly achieve near-original color results.

This means repaired areas can seamlessly blend with the original vehicle finish.

4. Highly Compatible with Smart Equipment

As the repair industry embraces digitalization, more shops are using smart color-matching systems, spray robots, and digital management platforms.

Waterborne coatings offer excellent controllability and consistency, making them ideal for use with such equipment to further improve efficiency and coating quality.

5. Meeting Changing Customer Expectations

Today’s vehicle owners are increasingly conscious of both environmental impact and quality:

Eco-conscious customers: Many prefer environmentally friendly coating solutions.

High-quality expectations: Customers care not only about the repair appearance but also the long-term durability of the finish.

Waterborne coatings meet both of these demands effectively.

Conclusion

The rise of waterborne refinish coatings is driven not only by regulations but also by industry development and evolving customer needs.

For repair shops, choosing waterborne coatings is not only a way to comply with environmental standards but also an opportunity to enhance competitiveness.

Looking ahead, as environmental standards become stricter worldwide, waterborne coatings are expected to become the global mainstream. Repair shops that adopt waterborne systems early will gain a significant advantage in both market reputation and customer trust.