Purdue News

July 27, 1999 Paint damages 40 cars at Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Paint being sprayed on the greenhouses near Lilly Hall of Life Sciences damaged at least 40 cars Thursday (7/22) on the Purdue University campus. Workers for the H. Sims Co. of Indianapolis were spraying light gray paint on the greenhouses when the wind apparently spread it to cars as far away as Smith Hall, said Dan Machin, a construction inspector for Purdue. Parking had been restricted around the greenhouses during the painting, but the spray apparently blew over the Lilly buildings and some trees. Machin's own car was among the vehicles damaged. A spokesman for the general contractor, J.R. Kelly Co. of Lafayette, said anyone with a claim should contact the company at (765) 772-3991. Once a claim has been established, the vehicle owners should contact the adjuster for Erie Insurance Co. at (800) 624-1620, said Nancy Coleman, Purdue construction office manager. Preliminary indications are that the paint can be removed with a rubbing compound and then the cars resealed with a protective coating. The estimate for one vehicle was $250. Sources: Dan Machin, (765) 494-7159 Nancy Coleman, (765) 494-9130 J. R. Kelly Co., (765) 772-3991 Writer: Jeanne V. Norberg, (765) 494-2084, jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page