Canadian Bodyshops Rate Recent Waterborne Conversions Lower Than Early Adopters

Canadian bodyshops that have converted to waterborne paint systems in the last six months are not quite as happy with the experience as those that converted earlier.

Bodyshop Magazine’s second Bodyshop Waterborne Benchmark Survey reveals that while companies which converted in the last six months did not find the experience as agreeable as those who converted earlier, repairers are still satisfied with the assistance they’re receiving during the conversion process.

Respondents gave the overall conversion experience a rating of 8.06 out of 10, which is slightly less than the 8.31 recorded in the previous iteration of this survey, performed in May 2008. Considering only responses from those who have converted since May 2008, the rating drops further to about 7.75.

When asked to rate specifically the help and support of paint manufacturers during the conversion, the response was 8.30, almost identical to the 8.26 recorded in the previous survey.

The new data also shows that technical service personnel, on average, are spending a bit less time on-site during a conversion.

The survey also reveals a dynamic paint market. In recent months, more bodyshops are changing paint brands as they convert to waterborne systems. About one-quarter of the survey respondents have converted to waterborne in the last six months. Among this group, almost 25% changed paint brands when they converted, and a further 45% evaluated other brands before converting. This is an increase from the May survey, in which only 10% reported changing brands, and 30% considered other brands.

The survey was distributed by e-mail to readers of Bodyshop magazine, and received 220 responses. More detailed results will be available in the December issue of Bodyshop magazine.