Washington State's first collision repair facility to convert to
Sikkens Autowave^® waterborne paint.

Some talk “green”… some act...

For years here at Olsen Auto Body & Collision, we have used Sikkens brand solvent based paint to produce the highest quality finish for our customer’s cars.

In 2009 we started looking for a paint system that would be more ecologically friendly and healthier for our staff and surrounding community.

Our research found that Sikkens brand had a waterborne option that shops in other parts of the US and Canada were already using. Waterborne paint has lower VOCs than solvent based paint. VOC is short for volatile organic compounds, which are gases emitted from paints and other products. These gases affect our health and air quality. Reducing the VOC levels in our paint is a great step in the right direction.

Rather than a traditionally used solvent based paint, waterborne paint is more eco-friendly because of its lower VOC levels and that benefits all of us. We learned that many automakers were already using waterborne paint at the factory and it provides a great color match and lasting flawless finish. It was extremely important at Olsen Auto Body & Collision that waterborne paint was not only more eco-friendly, but also that our final product would have the same great finish.

While not required to do so, the staff here at Olsen decided to be an early adopter of waterborne paints. Working with Sikkens in March 2009, we became the first collision repair facility in Washington State to convert their shop to use Sikkens Autowave (waterborne) paint. Our choice has proven itself time and again in the years since.

After switching to waterborne, Olsen Auto Body was awarded the Northwest Clean Air Agency’s Platinum Award for going above and beyond the regulatory requirements, and for excellence in promoting cleaner air for our community. This is very exciting! It seems this has started the ball rolling in the right direction.

Olsen Auto Body is always searching for more ways to make small changes that will continue to benefit our community. We are also participating in the EnviroStars program and look forward to more positive advancements in the future.