May 03, 2004

Recent changes to Part 228 require paint application equipment to have higher transfer efficiency than conventional spray guns can attain. This change will reduce solvent emissions from auto body shops and go into effect on January 1, 2005.

It is expected that most of the auto body shops in New York will use High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) spray guns to comply with this application equipment requirement. According to the NYS Auto Collision Technician Association, approximately 4,000 auto body facilities are located in New York, and 50 percent of these facilities already own HVLP spray guns.

DEC estimates that some 4,000 auto body shops in the state will purchase HVLP systems that will cost an average of $500 each. DEC informed us that the trade representatives have stated that HVLP spray equipment pays for itself within a few months of purchase based solely on paint savings.

For more information check out these websites:

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/dfe/pubs/auto/trainers/index.htm

www.p2pays.org/ref/01/00777/equip.htm

www.paintcenter.org/