2K paint is still available to bodyshops etc, although they have driven it towards high solid content to reduce the VOC's. Small repairers are more than likely to use the old 2k as they fall below the limit of how much they use per year. But main stream bodyshops use so much paint they have to comply to legislation and therefore have no alternative than to adhere to water borne paints with the exception of a few cases. One being Classic car restoration where they are allowed to use high solvent paints ie cullulose.
There is a lot of information on the web about it, but it is very complicated. I found this extract from a paint supplier that kind of sums it up.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
2K/2PACK Compliancy Regulations and Health and Safety
You may only purchase non-compliant 2K products if you intend to use them for industrial or agricultural uses and not for automotive purposes as this is now illegal.
If purchasing 2K products we will ask you to confirm that you will be using a full face spray mask and breathing equipment and that you are aware of the poisonous nature of 2K products. When making a purchase we insist that you tick a box to state that you have read and understood these terms and conditions.
2-pack or "2K" isocyanate-containing paints are strictly for professional use only and must be sprayed in a controlled environment that meets health and safety regulations.
Spraying 2-pack isocyanate paints is the main cause of occupational asthma in the UK and, for years, vehicle paint sprayers have been the group most at risk. Significant skin contact with isocyanate hardeners may cause dermatitis.
Autopaints Brighton will not be held liable for any incidents, legal proceedings and other repercussions if you use any of our 2K products. We trust our customers to be honest and fair and as such we are able to sell you 2K products in good faith.
Below are some key tips for vehicle paint sprayers and owners of motor vehicle repair bodyshops.
Vehicle paint sprayers
The risk of developing occupational asthma occurs because paint spraying produces a lot of invisible airborne mist that you can breathe in. Never spray paint outside the booth or room.
Your booth/room takes time to clear of mist, so know the clearance time and make sure everyone else does too.
Always wear air-fed breathing apparatus (BA) when spraying and know how to safely leave or enter your booth or room during the clearance time.
Bodyshop owners / managers
Spraying 2-pack isocyanate paints creates fine, invisible, airborne mist that can cause occupational asthma
It spreads through the air like smoke.
Spray booths take time to clear of fine paint mist, this can be checked with a smoke/fog generator
Make sure the booth/room runs at slight negative pressure so that if there are any leaks, air is drawn into the booth/room rather than paint mist leaking out into the workshop
Check exposure is properly controlled by arranging for the analysis of urine samples of vehicle paint sprayers.
Autopaints Brighton cannot be held liable for any incidents, legal proceedings and other repercussions if you use any of our 2K products. We trust our customers to be honest and fair and as such we are able to sell you 2K products in good faith. Complaint 2K products are available; please contact us for further information.
For more information please see the HSE website.
Cellulose Paint
PLEASE NOTE THAT CELLULOSE PAINT IS NOT PETROL RESISTANT
Cellulose products are for industrial use and for vintage/classic cars only.
Unfortunately the term "classic" is a grey area as it is not specified in which year a vehicle becomes a classic.
When ordering please state purpose of use and registration number of the vehicle if you are painting a classic vehicle.
It is against the law for us to supply and for you to use Cellulose on modern vehicles or any other use that falls outside the 3 applications listed below:
Industrial Use
Restoration of Classic & Vintage Vehicles
Aerosols
NOTES REGARDING SOLVENT BASED PAINTS. It is against the law to use non-compliant solvent based products and materials for refinishing of motor vehicles, unless the vehicle is classified as vintage or classic.
We can supply a full range of compliant materials to suite all our customers’ requirements including water based paint. Non-compliant solvent based paints will still be available for customers spraying Industrial Plant/ Machinery and Classic Vehicles only.