Frequently Asked Questions About PaintSafe:


Q.  What exactly is PaintSafe used for?
A.  PaintSafe is a liquid chemical formulation for treating the over-spray captured by the filtering systems in spray booths using solvent-based coatings of many varieties.  After treatment, the wastes are safe and legal for standard landfill disposal.

PaintSafe is multi-featured, but is best known for it's ability to solve two common and expensive environmental & regulatory problems associated with those wastes...

#1  The first problem solved with PaintSafe are filtering wastes that can self-heat or spontaneously combust when removed from the booths.  This EPA and State regulatory hazard is a result of solvent contamination from the coatings being sprayed - these wastes are commonly rated as an EPA D001 Ignitable Characteristic hazardous waste, requiring expensive hazardous waste disposal services and special storage methods.  Additionally, the direct fire danger to personnel and company facilities alone justifies the use of PaintSafe.

#2  The second common problem solved with PaintSafe are filtering wastes contaminated with levels of Methyl Ethyl Ketone that exceed EPA standards for standard landfill disposal.  Rated as an EPA D035 Toxicity Characteristic hazardous waste, expensive hazardous waste disposal services are again required if untreated with PaintSafe.

Q.  What other features does PaintSafe offer?
A.  PaintSafe also considerably reduces VOC emissions from filtering wastes after treatment.

Additionally, if a customer is using PaintSafe to spray their filters while still in the booth, dust and debris separating from the filters is dramatically reduced - resulting in much lower hazardous material to be handled and easier booth clean-up.

Not to be overlooked, PaintSafe also functions as a detackifier when added to the water reservoirs of water curtain style booths.

Q.  I've never heard of a product like PaintSafe - is it new?
A.  No, PaintSafe has been used successfully on a regional basis since 1996 by a select group of EnChem customers.

PaintSafe is a proven performer, and a continually expanding marketing effort is bringing awareness of this unique product to many industries who can benefit from it's use.

Q.  Is PaintSafe effective on the particular solvent based coatings we use in our facility?
A.  PaintSafe is proven effective on standard primers, urethanes, enamels, sealers, lacquers and stains.  If a coating is solvent based, PaintSafe will treat it.

Q.  Is PaintSafe effective for treating both contaminated dry filters and water curtain wastes?
A.  Yes.  PaintSafe is multi-featured as promised - not only is it used to treat dry filters (spray or soak), it treats over-spray trapped in water curtain booths (just add to water reservoir).

Additionally, PaintSafe is formulated to function as a very good detackifier while treating the hazardous characteristics simultaneously, and replaces those same chemicals already being used and paid for… just more cost justification for PaintSafe.

Q.  We'd like to use PaintSafe, but we run pure VOC classified solvents to clean the lines and spray nozzles in our automated spray booths.  As a result, EPA regulations automatically rate all the booth waste as an "F" listed hazardous waste and we aren't allowed by law to treat the wastes.
A.  Okay… so why are you using those "F" listed solvents?  Sometimes the answer seems too easy but not in this case.  According to RCRA and the EPA, by using solvents not on the "F" list of solvents - several are just as effective - you eliminate the "F" rating.

We suggest you call your coating or chemical supplier for the name of one or two of these solvents.  If uncertain which solvents are on the "F" list, contact us at EnChem and we will provide a copy.

Q.  So what's my cost justification for using PaintSafe?
A.  PaintSafe eliminates the need for expensive hazardous waste disposal services - and reduces VOC emissions.  PaintSafe treated booth wastes are safe and legal for standard Subtitle D municipal landfill disposal - just throw them away after treatment.

Additionally, treating your filtering wastes with PaintSafe removes the possibility of regulatory sanctions and fines.

In some instances, eliminating PaintSafe treatable fire and environmental hazards may reduce your liability insurance rates.

Q.  Exactly how much can we expect to save by using PaintSafe to eliminate hazardous disposal services?
A.  The cost savings of using PaintSafe versus the cost of disposal services is anywhere from 60% to 95%!  The exact savings depend on what you are currently paying in disposal and handling fees - and whether you're replacing water curtain chemicals with PaintSafe.  Typical real-dollar savings range from 70% to 80% for the vast majority of PaintSafe users.

For companies with large annual waste disposal and booth chemical budgets, that can realistically mean saving several hundreds of thousands of dollars every year!

Q.  We're always concerned about being EPA regulatory compliant - are we legally allowed to treat our booth wastes with PaintSafe?
A.  Absolutely.  Waste generators may self-treat their own characteristic booth wastes on-site, and in fact the EPA supports such action as being "sound waste management".  The simple answer is that your company will be compliant & legal, while it saves money and time, using PaintSafe.

There are no hidden tricks to it - applicable EPA regulations support PaintSafe usage, and EnChem has performed the appropriate research for our PaintSafe customers.  EnChem has been provided the pertinent regulatory interpretations directly by the EPA… some specifically written for PaintSafe application.  Click on the link titled "EPA REGULATORY INTERPRETATIONS" on the PaintSafe Description page to view excerpts from these EPA letters.

Q.  How hazardous is PaintSafe to store, handle or use?
A.  It's not.  PaintSafe is a benign and environmentally friendly product - this means no special handling or usage precautions are necessary.  Any spills for example, are simply washed away with water into the sewer system.

Q.  Is any kind of EPA permit required to use PaintSafe?
A.  No.  The EPA does not require a permit for a company to treat booth filtering wastes with PaintSafe, so long as the company is treating only it's own wastes.

Q.  Are there any State regulatory requirements that differ from the EPA for PaintSafe use?
A.  Typically not, since the vast majority of States' regulatory policies concerning PaintSafe usage exactly mirror those of the EPA.  A very few states require a nominal annual permit fee (typically less than $200) from generators to self-treat their wastes - basically, they are charging you to be environmentally friendly.

Q.  Okay, so are there ANY regulatory requirements - either EPA or State - that we need to be aware of besides what we already meet?
A.  Sometime during the first year of PaintSafe usage, a one-time Waste Analysis Plan (WAP) should be filed with the State of operation where PaintSafe is being used.  The WAP basically states what you are treating your wastes with.  The EPA only requires that a WAP be filed with them or the State… so we recommend filing with the State to satisfy both entities with one action.

It's that simple.

Q.  Great!  We'll be saving a LOT of money, be regulatory compliant, environmentally friendly and reduce the hazards to our personnel and facilities - just how do I use PaintSafe to treat used filters?
A.  There are 2 easy ways to treat VOC contaminated filter elements:

1.  The first is spraying a diluted solution of PaintSafe and water on the filters in the booths at the end of each shift, until they are disposed of.  There is no stringent specs for sprayer equipment; many types of economical and appropriate sprayer types may be used, and a PaintSafe representative can discuss options with you.  This provides complete treatment, as well as reduce the amount of hazardous dust falling from the filters.

2.  The second method for treating filters is to soak them in an appropriate treatment tank or container filled with a diluted solution of PaintSafe and water.  The filters are removed and drained, and thrown away.  A PaintSafe representative can discuss the details of this method with you, plus EnChem offers custom designed treatment tanks in various sizes specifically for PaintSafe treating.

Q.  Why do we have to dilute PaintSafe for treating filters?
A.  PaintSafe is purposely formulated to be highly concentrated when shipped to customers - this saves customers 70% - 90% in freight charges compared to shipping ready-to-use product that is mostly water.

Q.  How much filter is treated by a gallon of PaintSafe?
A.  Typically, one gallon of PaintSafe concentrate is eventually expended (diluted with water for either spraying or soaking) to treat approximately 250 - 300 square feet of contaminated filter medium - the equivilant of 1.5 - 2 drums full of used filters.

This ratio makes it easy for you and your PaintSafe representative to calculate your savings versus expensive hazardous waste disposal services since most charge by the drum to haul the wastes away.

Q.  Does the type of filter we use affect our usage of PaintSafe?
A.  Very little - PaintSafe is formulated to effectively treat paper, poly and fiberglass filters.  Because of the absorptive nature of paper filters they may result in a slight increase of product being used, but the contaminating coating itself is the primary absorber of the solution and the filter medium is not a major factor.

Q.  What about any coating or filter sediment left behind when soaking filters in a treatment tank?
A.  Any sediment is treated and may be removed and thrown away just like the filters.  EnChem also offers special micro-porous treatment bags that the filters can be placed in for handling and treatment - the bags are disposable so once removed the bags full of filters thrown away… and sediment in the treatment tank is reduced by 90%+… the filters are not touched after removal from the booth.

Q.  How often does the PaintSafe solution in a treatment tank have to be changed out?
A.  It is not necessary from a functional standpoint… the solution is constantly absorbed by the filters during treatment and replenished with fresh solution.  From a regulatory standpoint, it is not necessary either because the EPA  considers the solution to be a treatment product since it is constantly replenished, and is not regulated as a waste product.

Q.  If a company chooses to dispose of the unused solution from a treatment tank anyway, can it be disposed of in the city drain system?
A.  It is impossible to make a blanket statement concerning sewer disposal of used solution due to the wide differences in municipal standards, not to mention the huge varieties of coating formulations being treated.  Only a lab analysis of the solution, compared against local ordinances, can determine that.  Some companies simply allow the water content to evaporate resulting in a small amount of treated residue to be thrown away.

Q.  How is PaintSafe used for water curtain style spray booths?
A.  PaintSafe concentrate is simply added straight to the water reservoir either directly or via the booths' injector system.  PaintSafe will not only treat for the D001 and D035 hazardous ratings as with filters - PaintSafe also performs as a detackifier, replacing any similar products already in use.

Q.  How much PaintSafe is required to treat a water curtain reservoir?
A.  Because of it's highly concentrated nature, only 10% to 20% as much PaintSafe is necessary compared to other detackifying additives.  Since booths have a wide variety of spray efficiency, water reservoir volume, and collected overspray to be treated, a PaintSafe representative should always be consulted to set up the proper treatment regime.

Q.  This all sounds a little too good to be true - can I obtain a sample of PaintSafe for our finishing department to try?
A.  Absolutely - in fact we recommend it so your booth workers can experience for themselves just how easy PaintSafe is to use.  PaintSafe is a proprietary and patent pending product, and is truly one of those products that comes along once in awhile that fulfills a serious need and performs as promised - guaranteed!

Q.  How do we start putting PaintSafe to use at our facilities?
A.  Call us today 817-552-2620, or use the PaintSafe email link on the Contact Page of this website… we can have your first order of PaintSafe on it's way within 48 hours.