United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Design for the Environment, Auto Refinishing Shop Project
EPA 744-F-00-002
November 1999, Revised June 2000
BESTPRACTICES FOR AUTO REFINISHERS WHEN SPRAY PAINTING
SAVE $$$$$ ON PAINT 1
REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM YOUR SHOP 1
KEEP YOUR PAINTERS AND TECHNICIANS SAFE AND HEALTHY 1
a SPRAY PAINT IN A WELL-VENTILATED SPRAY BOOTH
For painters-a well-ventilated and maintained spray booth efficiently removes paint overspray from the air,
minimizing contact with hazardous coating materials. For the environmentBregular filter changes reduce releases of
pollutants from the shop. For businessBa controlled flow of dust-free air improves the quality of the paint job. Among
spray boothsCdowndraft, semi-down, and crossdraftCa downdraft is the most effective at removing hazardous
overspray. »»» Remember: It is always better to spray inside a booth or prep station than in an open bay.
Q USE HIGH-VOLUME, LOW- PRESSURE
(HVLP) SPRAY GUNS
When operated correctly, HVLP spray guns have notably
higher transfer efficiencies (60-70%) than conventional spray
guns (20-30%). The result: with HVLP spray guns, more paint
ends up on the car and less is lost as overspray. This efficiency
is a great benefit to painters, who have less contact with toxic
paint componentsCand the shop, which saves many dollars in
paint costs.
Q WEAR AIR SUPPLIED RESPIRATORS AND
CHEMICAL-RESISTANT GLOVES AND
CLOTHING
»«» By using a supplied-air, positive-pressure respirator, painters are much less likely to breathe harmful chemicals in
paint spray. Most paint manufacturers say a supplied-air respirator is a Amust@ when spraying highly toxic materials
like isocyanates, the hardener in polyurethane clearcoats and in many primers. An air-purifying respirator will not
provide adequate protection unless you develop and implement a proper filter change -out schedule, which can be a
complex process.
»»» Chemical resistant gloves and paint suits help prevent skin contact with harmful paint materials. Select gloves and
clothing that offer protection from the variety of chemicals in paints and coatings. For gloves, nitrile or butyl rubber
make the grade, latex does not.
Q PUT SOMEONE IN CHARGE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY
The shop manager or owner should review material safety data sheets (MSDSs), and communicate chemical hazards
and health and safety practices to workers. Once aware of shop hazards, workers are more
likely to take precautions, stay healthy, and stay on the job!
D&icp tef TO
y Shop Pfojed
Q For More Information on Best Spray Painting Practices ...
Talk to Mary Cushmac (202-564-8803, cushmac.mary@epa.gov) or David DiFiore (202-
564-8796, difiore.david@epa.gov) of the DfE Project Team.
THEDESIONFOR THE ENVIRONMENT AUTO REFINISHING SHOP PROJECTS GOAL is TO WORK WITH AUTO REFINISHERS
TO IDENTIFY AND ADOPT SAFER, CLEANER, MORE EFFICIENT PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGIES.
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