Friday, January 22, 2010

EPA regualtions Paint Coatings and Paint Stripping

Things creep up on you. You know it's coming but it's complicated of a long way off so you decide to just think about it later then it's time. Well it's time. The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants is now in effect the part that effects us as painters is subpart HHHHHH or NESHAP.

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/area/paint_stripb.pdf


Some background

The rules have been in development since 2002 they cover a large number of industries including cement manufacturing, the oil and gasoline industry, municipal and medical incinerators, asbestos production, the glass and ceramics industry, the list goes on . The final rules went into effect January 9 2009. The compliance date is January 10 2010 .


What do the rules cover

  • The rules cover automotive paint spraying
  • the use of paint stripping using methylene chloride
  • the use of paints containing the heavy metals lead, chrome, mercury, manganese, nickel or cadmium at reportable levels


Who does this affect

If you paint cars buses, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, boats, tractors, engines car parts you can figure it applies to you for a complete list see http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/area/fr09ja08.pdf


There is a significant exception if you are a hobbyist or a restorer or are repairing your own car you can paint up to 2 cars a year


What it takes to be compliant

You must use hvlp guns or the equivalent kind of guns and protective clothing. You must have compliant spray booths with filter technology with a 98% capture efficiency. Spray gun cleaning must be contained so that solvents are captured. All painters must be certified within the past 5 years. One of the main targets of these rules is to minimize the use of strippers containing MeCl your annual usage should not exceed 181 gallons and you must keep records of your use of stripper.


The final part is you must register with your area EPA office. Please do not take this as a definitive document on the subject DO YOUR OWN RESERCH but here is a warning get compliant and do it before they come knocking on your door. When you register they will come and check you out. If you have better information than I do please post it in the comments and I will correct this as new information becomes available to me




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3 comments:

Towing Northeast Philadelphia said...

MUST I GET MORE THAN ONE ESTIMATE?


NO. It is a common notion that you are required to get more that one estimate when seeking repair work. This is not the case. You are free to choose any reputable repair provider you wish. It is our job to provide you with a damage report and estimated costs. But with today's complex vehicles, there may be hidden damage. That's why most vehicles are repaired on an open contract basis between the repair facility and the insurance company
www.classicbodyworx.com

Anonymous said...

These are great information regarding the existing EPA regulations for car paint coatings and paint stripping. Vehicle owners as well as those that do car tinting Tarzana CA (for example) will surely find these information helpful. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the list of rules on paint regulations. I've always done my automotive work as a hobby. Didn't know the EPA had so many regulations. This blog gave me some great insights.

Ansel Marvin | Automotive Specialties