Replies

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Feb 09, 2003 05:53am | #1

   VOC' are basicly fumes emitted by solvents and thinners. Low VOC means it has low odor and emits less fumes into the atmosphere. Various federal and most most states have requirements for the amount of VOC that can be emitted.

   It has caused all the coating manufacturers to reformulate their products to comply. It's also the reason you see "Do not Thin" on the labels of oil based products. Adding thinners, adds emissions so the manufacturers are required to say that on their products.

   IMO, it has made some products less desirable from a brushing point of view. Almost all oil based finishes work much better these days if thinned 10-15%.

   Waterborne products are generally lower in VOC's than oil based or lacquer. But, they too, have solvents and do emit VOC's.

   
   

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   Edited 2/8/2003 9:58:03 PM ET by Howie

1. 
   LeeGrinding1 | Feb 09, 2003 07:14pm | #2

   VOC's were getting a bad rap for a while. Some VOC's, you see, bond with O2 to make O3 which is ozone, bad news in overpopulated and overmotorized arears like California. There was a cry from the granolas to eliminate all VOC's about a decade ago. Fortunately the granolas lost. A compromise was reached...lower VOC's but even this compromise will crumble as those exerting the pressure on the finish industry open their eyes to actual science and realize that not all VOCs are bad.

   Not all VOCs bond with O2! Actually, very few VOCs do!

   There are many options open to the finish world that will not necesitate the elimation of VOC's. In fact, I have noticed a comeback of sorts of solvent based finishes and less emphasis placed on water bourne finsihes. Two reasons for this, I think, one is that VOCs aren't the big bad wolf they were portrayed as a decade ago and that most water based finishes suck.

   Lee Lee Grindinger

   Furniture Carver