A good question, which is difficult to answer in a comprehensive way.
On one hand, we could say that the industrial world and the new global
economic conception is going in the direction of reducing costs (and pollution
is a cost, indeed), improving the workers’ living conditions (even if in current
water-based coatings there is a certain amount of solvent, it is undeniable
that they are less toxic) and consumers’ living condition (the
"indoor" emissions are virtually nil), improving material performance
(almost 100% of water-based paints are used for frames painting and,
consequently, they have excellent resistance "even" outside where the
stresses are definitely superior to internal ones), in our “explorations” looking
for virtuous companies we often stumble in organizations resigned in using
traditional solvent-based paints.
The most common answer that is given by those working in this field is
always the same: “I would like to use them, but they dry with more difficulty,
and it is necessary to pay more attention in the preparation of the substrate,
and furthermore they are more expensive”.
Is it true that water-based coating’s technology – which has been
produced since the late sixties of the last century… - has not solved those
problems? I don’t think so. After all there are companies that produce wood
paintings – practically – only water-based, and with a recognized high quality.
Unfortunately, not the Italian ones: some of them which started “in the right
way”, but then they backtracked, except a couple of exemplary companies, which
truly believe in a future of low environmental impact paints, starting from
their sellers (at least those who we know) first ones to promote these products
to users.
DRYING: Everyone assume that water-based coatings dry very slowly,
slower than the solvent-based ones, without knowing that the water, with the
help of some co-solvents in small quantities, forms "azeotropic"
solutions that evaporate at water’s temperature (100° C), faster than toluolo
(111° C), so that “hydro” paints dry out faster: seeing is believing.
SUBSTRATE PREPARATION: We talk a lot about quality, but we haven’t yet
taken for granted that quality starts from smoothing, pre-treatment, in
conclusion from substrate preparation?
COSTS: It is trivially a matter of market functioning, considering that if
there was a greater demand, raw materials would reduce their cost and,
consequently, also paints. Anyway, not to pollute is already a way to reduce
costs (health care, waste, diluents, and so on).
Finally, without giving due consideration to other
“defects” reported by detractors as, for example, the need to have a heated
warehouse. Progress needs a healthy “natural selection”; having adequate
production systems – not only plants, but also business organisation and
work-condition’s respect – are essential conditions for companies’ survival.
