New EPA refinishing regulations will apply to hobbyists after all

You can read about it here
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/area/fr17se07b.pdf

The newest Hemmings Classic Car mag also has an article about it.

 

if you want to motivate people politically, it helps to spoon feed them. not many will read a 26 page document. an excerpt showing how this applies to those at the hobby level would help.

 

Seems from the article that unless you are a business using MeCl (methylene chloride) to strip paint, or are painting to make money it does not affect you. The guy doing a car in his shop every few years has nothing to do with this. My $0.02

 

Last summer, the EPA's document about the proposed new regulations said specifically that hobbyists would be exempt, as they painted a fender here, a door there, or up to two cars per year. But, because of lobbying on the part of the ASA (Automotive Service Association), the NADA, various Body Shop Associations, and environmental groups, the new regulations will, indeed, affect backyard hobbyists. I would encourage you to read the following, if taking the time to read the 26 page EPA document is too time-consuming, as this IS going to affect the guy doing a car in his shop every few years.

From the Hemmings Motor News website:

Our Enemy: The EPA
Hemmings Classic Car - FEBRUARY 1, 2008 - BY RICHARD LENTINELLO
My column in HCC #38, "Alternative Painting Techniques," didn't seem to go over too well with one of our readers. Obviously a spineless, environmental-extremist wacko, this reader forwarded a copy of my column to the United States Environmental Protection Agency of New England, whereupon we received a pleasant letter from Susan Lancey of the Air Permit, Toxics and Indoor Programs Unit. Susan was kind enough to advise us of some pending legislation that will soon be signed into law, and sent us a copy of the new regulation.

Ms. Lancey's letter reads:
"I was recently forwarded a copy of an article titled "Alternative Painting Techniques" published in the November 2007 issue of Hemmings Classic Car magazine. I noted that the article did not mention environmental regulations that may apply to the painting discussed in the article. I am writing to inform you that on September 17, 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed federal regulations in the Federal Register which, when finalized, will regulate surface coating of metal parts and plastic parts, including auto body refinishing. I have enclosed a copy of the proposed regulation and a fact sheet for your review.

"This regulation is scheduled to be finalized in December 2007, after consideration of public comment on the proposed rule. For surface coating operations, the proposed rule would require sources to implement equipment and management practices that minimize the amount of coating required and to capture toxic metal particulates from the process. The equipment practices include confining spray operations to within a properly filtered spray booth or preparation station, using high volume low pressure (HVLP) or equivalent spray equipment, and either cleaning spray guns manually or by using an enclosed spray gun washer. The management practices include proper training and certification of painters.

"When published in the Federal Register, the final rule will specify how it may apply to any person refinishing an automobile. At that time you may want to inform your readers of the new regulations. You should also be aware that states have environmental regulations that may also apply to these types of activities."

Susan was kind enough to include a Fact Sheet, which gave a brief outline of the impending regulations. Listed among the Action items, one bullet point read: "The proposed standards apply to area sources that engage in:

paint stripping operations that use methylene chloride (MeCl)-containing paint
surface coating operations that involve paints that contain metal HAP compounds
autobody refinishing
But what's truly scary is the following bullet point:
Area sources are those that have the potential to emit less than 10 tons per year of a single toxic air pollutant or less than 25 tons per year of any combination of toxic air pollutants. If sources emit more than these amounts, they are called 'major' sources.
I'm concerned with the use of the word "less" in the above bullet point. Although no home restorer will ever produce 10 tons per year of a toxic air pollutant, all of us will certainly produce less than that amount. And therein lies the issue. Basically, what this regulation is saying, is that no one will be allowed to spray a toxic finish-i.e. auto body paint-outside of the confines of a properly filtered spray booth. In short, folks, we're screwed.
To find out more details, I called Susan about this regulation. I asked if the EPA took into consideration how much harm they will be doing to not only home restorers, but the entire collector-car hobby and associated industry, too, and was told that the EPA did take into consideration public comment on the regulation.

When I asked where the EPA obtained these public comments, Susan said they were gathered from their Web site. So, because this and other proposed federal regulations are only posted on the EPA Web site, and, let's face it, how many citizens know to go there, virtually no one knew about it to protest. Oh yeah, there was only a 30-day window in which to submit an objection to the regulation, and that window was slammed shut on us back in September. How nice.

And it's going to get worse. I just learned from another source that, by the year 2011, the EPA is looking into restricting the sale of auto body paints to only those who are certified to use the product. It's the EPA's way of reducing the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the atmosphere. Unless you are certified, and have a $100,000 filtered paint booth, you won't be able to buy the necessary paints to restore old cars, trucks or motorcycles.

All these regulations prove once again just how dim-witted the EPA folks really are, and how little consideration they have for us. The amount of VOCs that body shops and hobbyists emit into the air is probably less than 1/100th of 1 percent of the total amount produced each year. I bet Al Gore creates more pollution flying around in his private jet each day than 10,000 hobbyists create in a year of painting old cars. Restoring old cars is the ultimate form of recycling, yet the EPA wants to stop it. How smart is that?

Although it's too late to stop the anti-painting law, there's still time to do something to protect your freedom to buy auto body paint. Go to the EPA Web site, www.epa.gov, and voice your concerns now, before it's too late.

 

How did SEMA miss this? Did SEMA miss this?

Legal action could resolve the rule. Saying the public could have commented on it because it was posted on the website seems to be a failure of doing their 'due dilligence' to make the affected public aware of propsed changes and allow their input. Any of a number of arguments could be levied.

 

In the little bit of research I've done when I started a media blasting business and quickly skimming this document- it still seems like the EPA is more concerned with targeting high volume polluters. Usually they measure output by the month. I tried making sure everything was cool before my first blasting job. They didn't even want to talk to me unless I was generating over 200lbs of hazardous waster per month. That's a LOT of paint particulate!

My thought is some guy stripping a car and painting it every once in a while can probably continue doing so without hassle (unless he's got some nasty busy bodies on his street) the crew running a makeshift collision repair shop out of their rental house may have cause for concern.

 

Big Brother is watching you right now-do not take it for granted that you will always slip thru the cracks in Laws&Regs. If doing body related work, or any work on cars think twice before doing it out in your front driveway. Likely better to do such things out of view of those that do not approve of such activities. Plus, it helps to not advertise to would be thieves as to what you have on your property. Paranoid? Not really, just watch your back-it may have a target on it. You do not always need to do something that screams look at me, then bitch because you got caught.

 

I just went to epa.gov and posted some comments. Each and every one of us should do this!!!!!

 

I get this and you are probubly right; However,with the regs written like they are now...if your neighbor bitches the EPA can come in and hit you....HIT YOU HARD!!!!!

 

I too want to know where SEMA is on this?
So what are we supposed to do? Start stockpiling auto paint? Or get really good at bodywork and polishing so we can show off our stainless steel skills? Yeah right. I'm no Sellers.

 

There's always Rustoleum!

 

From SEMA enews last September (I found this at the oldcarcouncil website)


SEMA eNews, Vol. 10, No. 39 - Sep 27, 2007
EPA MOVES TO REGULATE AUTOBODY/PARTS PAINTING OPERATIONS
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to regulate paint-stripping operations that use
methylene chloride and surface coating and autobody refinishing operations that use paints containing hazardous
metal compounds. The rule targets hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), which the agency believes may cause cancer
or other health disorders. The rule would apply to most coating activities that emit HAPs.

The EPA intends to establish “best practices” (spray booth, spray gun cleaning, etc.) for minimizing HAP emissions
during surface-coating operations. All shops would be required to have a filtered spray booth or prep station and
use high-volume low-pressure (HVLP) or equivalent spray equipment. Spray guns would be required to be cleaned
manually or with an enclosed spray gun washer. The EPA believes many shops have already implemented these
best practices. According to the EPA, those facilities that have not yet done so could recover the cost of new
equipment and training through a more efficient use of labor and materials. The EPA notes that OSHA already
requires spray finishing operations to be performed in a booth or similar enclosure (although the new EPA rule
could necessitate the use of more efficient filters than are currently used).

Owners and operators would be required to provide training for their painters on how to properly spray surface
coatings and clean the spray equipment. The EPA would prefer that training be comparable to existing programs
offered by I-CAR (The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair), STAR (the Spray Technique Analysis
and Research program) or other certification organizations. The EPA also anticipates that training and certification
programs would be available through state and community colleges or industry initiatives. Painters would be
required to complete refresher training and be re-certified every five years.
In addition, owners or operators of a paint-stripping/surface-coating operation would be required to provide the EPA
with contact information, a brief description of the operation, the number of spray booths and average number of
employed painters and other basic information. Reports would be filed on a yearly basis certifying that the
operation is in compliance or identifying activities which do not comply. Owners and operators would also have to
maintain records for at least five years that verify painter training/certification, filter replacement, spray gun
information, etc.
The rule would not require individuals to produce a training certificate in order to buy paints and coatings. The rule
would not apply to painting done with an airbrush or hand-held non-refillable aerosol cans. The EPA did not
specifically address “miniature spray guns” that are being used in open areas. It may seek to require spray booths
for these operations when it issues a final rule, which is expected in 2008.
The proposal also did not exempt facilities that conduct limited coating operations. Once issued, the EPA will likely
provide two years for most businesses to comply with the rule. SEMA intends to submit comments on the proposed
rule, which are due on October 17, 2007. SEMA requests industry feedback as soon as possible so that it can be
reflected in the comments. Comments may be directed to Jason Tolleson at jasont@sema.org or 202/783-6007,
ext. 39.
Link to three-page overview of the proposed rule: www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3/fact_sheets/paintstrpng_fs090607.pdf
Link to EPA proposed rule: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.
gov/2007/pdf/E7-17973.pdf --This is huge! OSHA already heavily regulates the painting industry on all levels. The
state EPA guidelines are already controlling many aspects of painting. The net result of this is that you will have to
pay much more for your automotive painting. It will put many small shops out of business due to the cost of
compliance. This is an unabashed power grab of the EPA vs. OSHA. This will not allow you to paint your own car or
parts any longer! No training-no license-no paint! There will be an override of state EPA rulings by the federal level
EPA.—Joe L. Baker

 

This is like a colonoscopy without anesthesia.

 

Everyone needs to send these retards thier thoughts. Please do it via the links above.

I hate tree huggers. I may be rockin' one of these on every car I build from now on:

 

Next thing you know, we won't be able to do any painting in the USA!
All parts will come pre-painted from CHINA........

 

This stuff makes me sick to my stomach! I just went on the EPA website trying to figure out where to post comments, and they set it up so you can only post comments on certain items and I don't see that item listed on there. They'll no doubt railroad some ridiculous legislation right on through and they don't give a damn about what anyone thinks about it anyway. The EPA is a huge example of "legislation without representation" if you ask me. It's what we fought a revolutionary war to get away from wasn't it? They just do stuff whether anyone wants them to or not. Nobody voted any of that crap in, they just do what they want like a dictator.

They selectively choose who they're going to harass. It's okay for Al Gore to fly around the country and burn up tons and tons of fuel, but it's a big crime if I paint a car once every five years. Jeeez They make me sick!

The air is cleaner now than ever where I live. Most of the smog, if there is any, probably blew over from China. So why do they have to keep pushing and pushing and trying to make everything illegal and difficult for everybody? What's next, outlawing fingernail polish? Or outlawing beans because people might cause "catastrophic global warming" with their deadly asshole emissions? Argggggggghhh.

 

Because it's about controlling you, not about the environment. That they destroy a segment of the economy is of no consideration, you can just take your car to a professional shop for paint for all they care. As long as they keep you from doing it yourself without paying all sorts of regulation fees and for licenses and so on.

 

We conserve when a car is rebuilt or reused. It is a historic craft and to be encouraged. It is a very short bridge between nature's conservationists, and environmentalists. I hope you find that informed "E" types support our craft. Find the specs and amounts used by different related activities, and rodding will be looked upon favorably. Bridges work better than polarizing "others" into targets. The EPA is needing to be informed...it is our task to do so.

 

Oh, ok, in that case I'll rollover. (Rolling eyes)

The majority of the 'E' types that I know DO NOT ALLOW themselves to be informed. That is the problem. Furthermore, the EPA does not care about the little man. They NEVER have and they NEVER will. You know as well as I do, no matter how much we tell these idiots how it REALLY is, they will do what they want.

All I'm saying when I encourage people to express their feelings to the EPA, is to go down swinging. However make no mistake, we will go down.

I stand behind my distain for Treehuggers.

 

I know a guy who used to be a lobbyist for SEMA and according to him this was by far the biggest problem and the reason it was impossible to accomplish much. Once some people have decided what they think about something (i.e. classic vehicles are the problem) they just don't want to hear the other side's arguement.

 

Agree 100%

The EPA was created for the right reasons, but they have had too much power handed to them by the elected gov't officials that basically say we don't understand all this so you take care of it and we won'tr even bother being involved.

 

Revised for 2008 Macco paint job price: $15,000.00

 

Can someone post a more specific link to the comment area related to this topic so that I can post a comment. I wan't able to find it. I can see myself being a paint outlaw in the near future, even though I've never painted a car. What next, The EPA asking for your cars "paint" papers at a show or run and fining you if you can't produce?

 

Alright, I didn't read through all that stuff becuase i didn't figure I'd understand it anyway. What does this mean for actual shops as far as necessary equipment and money? Will a side draft booth not be enough anymore?

 

nail on the head.

 

How can I obtain one of these here tags. I think it is necessary for me to have at least one on each car I own.

 

Sounds to me like paint will become another black market item. Like with the old freon, you can still get it, you just have to know a guy in the business.

 

these rules will eventually relax themselfs just like when the big deal was made about buying ac freon when they discontined the R-12 and came out the 134 freon you had to be certified to buy freon. now you can buy it in wall mart. do you think dupont, ppg, sherwin williams will let this happen? if it does happen a home made spray booth can get certified. it's all about the filtration the filters can be purcahsed reasonably and a good tin man can fab the duct work fairly cheap. than go buy paint.

 

according to our PPG rep all automotive paint will have to be waterborne paint by 2010....that in itself will solve alot of the problem with hazardous air pollutants found in todays paint...or so they say

 

Government = Biggest GANG in town!

They put the $$$$ in even trying to be Green.

They even charge to flush the fucking toilet now.