P2: Auto Body Shop Operations

Auto body shop operations can produce hazardous air emissions, including heavy metals and diisocyanates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause smog and respiratory illness.  These operations also can generate hazardous waste, contaminated wastewater and stormwater pollution.  However, there are many ways that auto body shops can reduce costs as well as environmental impact.

Remove paint drums from area of painting operation.

• Reduces chance of spills and drips

Keep paint and solvent containers tightly closed.

• Reduces evaporation of coatings and solvents
• Reduces ambient air emissions
• Reduces employee inhalation risks
• Decreases fire hazard

Employees should be well trained in paint preparation and painting procedures.

• Reduces the chance for off-specification paints being mixed
• Less solvent needed for cleanup

Schedule jobs so that large batches of similar colored items can be painted.

• Equipment-cleaning waste is directly related to the amount paint color or type is changed
• Scheduling improvements can eliminate equipment-cleaning waste produced.
• Frequency of cleaning can decrease
• A reduction in the amount of waste paint and solvent used

Reduce length of paint lines

• Reduction in the amount of waste paint and solvent used

Mix paint, as it is needed, in the volume that is needed.

• Don't mix a quart when a pint will do
• Reduces the amount that may need disposal after the job is finished
• Have accurate weighing equipment for small volumes

Inspect all parts before painting.

• Surfaces should be clean, dry, and rust-free
• Reduces the amount of potential rejects painted

Mechanically clean parts with a wire brush whenever possible.

• Reduces solvent usage

Use deionized water instead of solvent or alcohol for final wipe down of high quality painting.

• Reduce use of hazardous materials

Make certain that paint mix is proper viscosity prior to use.

• This is vital for a good finish on the product

Properly regulate air pressure on spray guns.

• Air pressure that is too high results in more overspray and possibly more hazardous waste

Save the unused paint from the gun and feed tube when cleaning spray gun.

• Saves paint
• Reduces amount of paint thinner needed to clean guns

Follow the manufacturer's suggestions for using and cleaning your spray gun.

• Increases efficiency
• Reduces waste

Clean spray guns and nozzles immediately after you finish using them.

• Reduces time and amount of solvent needed to clean parts

Give excess paints to customers for touchups.

• Increases customer satisfaction
• Reduces the amount of paint stored or disposed

Reuse paints.

• Compatible leftover paint can be mixed and used as an undercoating

Reuse solvent as a first rinse for spray equipment.

• Capture gun cleaning solvent in container and reuse solvent as mix in paint
• Use contaminated (but still useful) solvents to clean dirty equipment, and less contaminated solvents to get relatively clean equipment ready for the next use
• Use only a small amount of fresh solvent to clean out any residue as a last step
• Use fresh solvent where high purity solvents are needed for cleaning certain parts

Reuse paint thinner.

• Use color-contaminated thinner as an undercoating paint thinner instead of using fresh thinner
• OR let used thinner stand to separate into thinner and sludge. Siphon the thinner off and use it as wash thinner

continue to Auto Body Shop Wastewater

Other Auto Body Shop sections:

 

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