Everything is green,but?

From lime kilns in Cornwall 2 centuries ago, to the latest low VOC paints coming onto the market in 2010. We, as a species may well be inclined to slap ourselves on the collective backs for a job well done.
Before we get too excited, remember that water soluble products are contributing to contaminated water supplies world wide. The paint industry, to which I must also belong, is not really taking the lead in this rush to be green. It is grudgingly being pushed to adopt new rules that it wished would not be there.
We, (that's you and me), are a force that CAN change the way all industries produce products. We only have to demand change and it will happen. The problem there is that we are so used to cheap, we don't really care about the cost to the evironment. How much do you know about the paint you put on your walls? Is it full of fungucides? what are VOC's? can my children lick the paint?
 Individually we do care, but together we are as careless as a herd of buffalo's running over a cliff.
So consumers, educate yourselves about the products you buy, it's your responsibility, and your duty to your children and grandchildren.
Happy painting.
http://www.mercuryminc.net/
Benjamin Moore

A new year with new paint

As 2010 rolls in new regulations take affect to regulate the paint retail business.
The paint companies have started to roll out their lines of green paint, namely paint with low VOC's (volatile organic compounds).
These paints have a much shorter open time (working time) and really are still at a stage where improvement is needed. Some of the immediate things painters notice is the way these paints will clog up brushes and will dry on your roll if you don't cover it when you go for coffee.
A small spritzer is a good thing to keep around, I often spray my roller tray if I'm leaving it for more than a few minutes. Also I keep a roll of cling film to wrap my brush at lunch time and put some across my roller tray to prevent that thin skin from forming and later transfered to the wall.
The new paints are a result of legislation in California that trickles around to the rest of us some time later. I personally liked the alkyde modified exterior paints that Benjamin Moore made for decades, and will be sad to see them go.
I've got news for you folks, 100% acrylic is not all it's cracked up to be, acrylic softens in water and is not as good as their modified cousins.
Have a good 2010 painting and stay safe. Ken Wells http://www.mercuryminc.net/

Oil paint to latex/a rock and a polluted place

Well I must say the new rules on paint are welcome, but I still have a rant, as a professional of course. 2010 stores will NOT be able to stock alkyd (oil) based paint. I hate the smell of oil paint but it's soooo.. nice to have time to work with it when painting murals or faux finishing. Even just slapping a coat on the wall it flows out nicely and guess what?, after you finish you usually dispose of the roller and wash out the brush in paint thinner and let that thinner stand in an old can and then reuse it for washing the next brush. Fast forward to the future, which is now.
Latex is water soluble and loaded with chemicals unheard of 20 years ago. Although we are assured the new latex is low in VOC's, ummm , now the paint is dry before you have a chance to scratch your nose, and , try faux finishes with this stuff, even with the extenders they sell separately. Then we are ready to clean up. Wash the brush and roller in the sink and watch all those chemicals go into the sea, ummm very smart.
Are we creating a bigger monster? I for one have decided to dispose of my rollers after the job instead of trying to wash them. I do put them in a 5 gallon bucket and see if I can reuse them but wash them? not.