Pollution Prevention for Paint & Body Shops Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management

There is always a better way! Types of Waste Paint Paint filters Paint solvents Masking

There is always a better way! Types of Waste Used coolant Used oil Oil filters Spill dry Shop rags Cleaning solvents Spray solvent Washwater Refrigerants Scrap parts Batteries Tires

There is always a better way! Transfer Efficiency How much paint actually coats surface vs. paint sprayed Benefits –Buy less paint –Replace filter less frequently –Easier and less booth clean-up Factors: training, equipment, maintenance, geometry

There is always a better way! Paint Formulation & Mixing Solids content Water-based primers (& topcoats?) Don’t add excess thinner Better estimate amount needed Provide excess as touch-up paint

There is always a better way! Paint Equipment Spray guns –conventional –High-Volume Low-Pressure –air-assisted airless Electrostatics

There is always a better way! Painter Training Clean and maintain equipment Minimum air pressure for correct atomization Perpendicular to surface (no arcs) Uniform distance,speed, and overlap Personal Protective Equipment

There is always a better way! Paint Booths Painting and priming in booth Filter intake air and exhaust air Keep booth clean –no other work (e.g. sanding) –damp clean –no drain holes to ground –dust off workers entering Design criteria

There is always a better way! Paint Booth Filters Increase transfer efficiency Use non-hazardous paint Use graduated density filters Use baffles in front of filters Use Styrofoam filters

There is always a better way! Line Cleaning Schedule painting from light to dark Use paint cups or shorter lines Blow paint out of lines and reuse Use “dirty” solvent for first cleaning Use recirculating gun washer Evaluate distillation unit Water-based formulations

There is always a better way! Washwater (from floor cleaning) Use better housekeeping and spill prevention Use less water –dry cleanup when possible –mop and bucket –high-pressure low-flow nozzle Use vacuum floor cleaner Watch out: emulsifying cleaner

There is always a better way! Washwater (from vehicle cleaning) Wash only when needed Reuse –recirculating wash system –fresh water rinse as makeup water –old wash water for engine cleaning Watch out: emulsifying cleaners Covered collection pad

There is always a better way! Hand Washing Wipe in rags first Solvents strip natural oils Are you on septic tank? Use gloves

There is always a better way! Fluid Spills (“spill dry”) Prevent spills Practice better housekeeping Use drip pans Use absorbent booms ("pigs") Use reusable absorbents Investigate peat absorbent Wipe up as much as possible

There is always a better way! Shop rags/towels Use inventory control Segregate from liquid wastes Use industrial laundry

There is always a better way! Spray Cleaners (brake, carb...) Use only when needed Use inventory control Try pump sprays Use alternative cleaners

There is always a better way! Refrigerants Repair A/C leaks Use recovery / recycle equipment Technician certification Use alternative refrigerant

There is always a better way! Used and Scrap Parts Store properly –remove and collect fluids –keep out of the weather Recycle old parts as scrap metal –brake drums –tire weights –etc.

There is always a better way!