VOC Compliant Industrial Coatings
Endura’s complete line of VOC compliant paint products are formulated to meet or exceed the Canadian automotive refinishing guidelines for VOC levels in primers, color coats and clear coats. To view the Government of Canada fact sheet on VOC levels in Automotive Refinishing products click here.
You can also use the following link to see all of our Low VOC Primers and Topcoats.
Primers under 250 grams/liter
Primer Sealers under 340 grams/liter
Color topcoats under 420 grams/liter
Clear coats under 250 grams/liter
Download the Endura VOC Brochure
Endura is commited to providing high quality, heavy duty coating solutions that are environmentally responsable and meet all government regulations. Download our VOC Information Letter for more information.
Environment Canada’s VOC-limit regulations apply to automotive refinish coatings and surface cleaners such as:
- Primers
- Color Topcoats
- Clear coats
- Adhesion Promoters
The Automotive refinishing guidelines apply to coating products that are being applied to:
Motor Vehicles including
- Cars
- Motorcycles
Mobile Equipment including
- Trucks
- Truck Trailers
- Street cleaners
- Farm Equipment
Look for the Endura VOC compliant logo on technical data sheets and product web pages to ensure that the products you are choosing are VOC compliant
VOC Compliant Coating FAQ
Painting Questions
What are the differences between regular EX-2C and Low VOC EX-2c topcoat?
The Low VOC version of EX-2C will continue to have all the same physical characteristics from the non compliant version. Please click here for an application comparison chart between EX-2C and EX-2C low VOC
My Paint consumption seems to be higher with the low VOC products, why is that?
It is important to always check film builds, especially when using a new product. The VOC compliant solvents* in EX-2C low VOC allow for higher film builds per coat, which can result in higher mils being sprayed. Please be sure to check your wet film thickness to ensure that you are within the specified film build.
- The solvent system in EX-2C low VOC is much faster than regular EX-2C.
Regulatory Questions
Do I need To switch to Low VOC Coatings?
If you are a refinisher and are painting equipment defined as a motor vehicle or as mobile equipment you must comply with the regulations and use VOC compliant coatings. Manufacturers, OEM’s, and anyone that is painting an object that is not defined as a Motor Vehicle or as Mobile Equipment are exempt from the regulations and can continue to use non-compliant coatings.
What are the definitions for Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment?
Mobile equipment
Any equipment, other than a motor vehicle, that is capable of being pulled on a highway.
Motor vehicle
Any self-propelled vehicle, but does not include:
- An aircraft as defined in subsection 3(1) of the Aeronautics Act
- Rolling stock as defined in section 6 of the Canada Transportation Act
- A boat, ship or craft designed, used or capable of being used solely or partly for navigation in, on, through or immediately above water.
For a complete list of terms and definitions, please see the glossary page.
With the new regulations can I continue to use solvent borne coatings?
Yes, you can continue to use solvent borne solutions. Automotive refinishing products can be solventborne coatings or waterborne coatings as long as they meet VOC concentration limits.
Why should I continue to use solvent borne coatings as opposed to water borne?
- Endura’s solvent borne coatings are VOC compliant with government regulations.
- With solvent borne systems, there is no need for expensive changes to booths, equipment or spraying techniques.
- Solvent borne coatings work in the largest range of ambient conditions ( high or low humidity levels, wide temperature curing range.
- Solvent borne coatings provide the highest level of chemical and abrasion resistance, increasing the life of the coating, and minimizing the need to repaint.
Do the Government regulations apply to all automotive products, whether they are new manufacture or not?
The Regulations do not apply to coating products that are applied to motor vehicles or mobile equipment, or their parts, during manufacture.
What coatings are affected by the regulations?
Environment Canada’s VOC-limit regulations apply to automotive refinish coatings and surface cleaners – such as primers, clear coats, basecoats, adhesion promoters – which are applied to motor vehicles and mobile equipment (including cars, motorcycles, trucks, truck trailers, street cleaners, and farm equipment) to refinish or decorate the surface. For a chart outlining VOC limits by product type please click here.
What coatings are NOT affected by the regulations?
These Regulations do not apply to automotive refinishing products set out in column 1 of the schedule that are
- Manufactured in Canada for export
- Imported, offered for sale or sold in a non refillable aerosol spray container or manufactured to be packaged in that type of container
- Imported, offered for sale or sold in a container with a volume of 14.8 ml (0.5 fl. oz.) or less or manufactured to be packaged in that size of container
- Manufactured, imported, offered for sale or sold to be applied to motor vehicles or mobile equipment, or their parts, during manufacture on an assembly line
- Manufactured, imported, offered for sale or sold to be used as a solvent in a laboratory for analysis
- Manufactured, imported, offered for sale or sold to be used in scientific research
- Manufactured, imported, offered for sale or sold to be used as a laboratory analytical standard.
Glossary of Terms
Volatile Organic Compound or VOC A compound that participates in atmospheric photo chemical reactions that is not excluded under item 65 of Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
To view the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concentration Limits for Automotive Refinishing Products Regulations published by the Government of Canada Click here
Automotive refinishing:
Any activity relating to the service, maintenance, repair, restoration or modification of motor vehicles or mobile equipment, or their parts, involving the application of a coating or surface cleaner.
Mobile equipment:
Any equipment, other than a motor vehicle, that is capable of being pulled on a highway.
Motor vehicle:
Any self-propelled vehicle, but does not include
- An aircraft as defined in subsection 3(1) of the Aeronautics Act
- Rolling stock as defined in section 6 of the Canada Transportation Act
- A boat, ship or craft designed, used or capable of being used solely or partly for navigation in, on, through or immediately above water.
Primer Surfacer – VOC Limit < 250 grams/liter (< 2.08 lbs/gal):
A coating formulated to be applied for corrosion resistance, adhesion of subsequent coatings or to fill in surface imperfections. Adhesion promoters are not included in this category.
Primer Sealer – VOC Limit < 340 grams/liter (< 2.8 lbs/gal):
A coating formulated to be applied before the application of another coating for the purpose of colour uniformity or to prevent a subsequent coating from penetrating underlying coatings.
Single-Stage Coating – VOC Limit < 420 grams/liter (< 3.5 lbs/gal):
A pigmented coating formulated to be applied without a subsequent clear coat. Single-stage coatings include single-stage metallic or iridescent colour coatings.
Colour Coating – VOC Limit < 420 grams/liter (< 3.5 lbs/gal):
A pigmented coating formulated to be applied to a primer or an adhesion promoter that requires a subsequent clear coating. This category includes metallic or iridescent colour coatings.
Multicolour Coating – VOC Limit < 680 grams/liter (< 5.67 lbs/gal):
A coating that exhibits more than one colour in the dried coat after a single application, hides surface defects and is formulated to be applied over a primer or adhesion promoter. This category includes metallic or iridescent multicolour coatings.
Clear Coating – VOC Limit < 250 grams/liter (< 2.08 lbs/gal):
A coating that contains no pigments and is formulated to be applied over any other coating.
Surface Cleaner – VOC Limit < 50 grams/liter (< 0.41 lbs/gal):
A product used to prepare the surface of motor vehicles or mobile equipment by removing unwanted matter from the surface before applying a coating. It excludes products used for cleaning automotive refinishing equipment and hand-held spray bottle spot cleaners used to prepare surfaces prior to sanding.
VOC Compliant Coating's Chart
The VOC concentration limits are listed below:
Product Category | VOC Concentration Limit |
Primer surfacer | 250 g/L (2.08lbs/gallon) |
Primer Sealer | 340 g/L (2.84lbs/gallon) |
Pre-treatment wash primer | 660 g/L (5.50lbs/gallon) |
Adhesion Promoter | 840 g/L (7.01lbs/gallon) |
Colour coating | 420 g/L (3.50lbs/gallon) |
Uniform finish coating | 540 g/L (4.50lbs/gallon) |
Truck-bed liner coating | 310 g/L (2.58lbs/gallon) |
Temporary protective coating | 60 g/L(0.50lbs/gallon) |
Underbody coating | 430 g/L (3.58lbs/gallon) |
Single-stage coating | 420 g/L (3.50lbs/gallon) |
Multi-color coating | 680 g/L (5.67lbs/gallon) |
Clear coating | 250 g/L (2.08lbs/gallon) |
Other coatings | 250 g/L (2.08lbs/gallon) |
Surface cleaners | 50 g/L(0.41lbs/gallon) |
Endura VOC Product Chart
