Overspray fallout is a very widespread and costly problem that affects commercial and industrial painters. It is estimated that over 1,000 cars are damaged each day by overspray.
What is Overspray?
The majority of overspray is produced when painting at high elevations. Tiny, airborne droplets of paint fall upon and bond to vehicles and structures.
How much does overspray removal cost?
The typical cost of overspray removal ranges from $250-$1,000 per vehicle.
Can overspray be prevented?
The most effective means of reducing overspray are cost prohibitive and labor intensive.
-Applying paint or coating with a roller.
-Structure containment.
Are there any other means of preventing overspray?
Yes implement a wind monitoring plan.
An effective wind monitoring plan takes 3 easy steps:
1. Identify at-risk areas
Get to the highest vantage point possible and make note of parking lots and other locations where vehicles might be at risk. Fallout frequently drifts over structures and vegetation to surrounding property.
Do a ground assessment. Walk areas where your view was obstructed.
2. Choose your prevention tools
Two highly-effective tools are hand-held weather devices and windsocks.
A hand-held weather device provides current recordable readings of ambient weather conditions.
In the case of an over spray fallout claim or a coating failure, the ability to record and save readings provides historical information that can be very useful when mitigating liability issues.
A windsock is another tool that can be instrumental in monitoring environmental site conditions. Wind speed and direction vary greatly at different elevations. Ideally, windsocks should be situated high atop structures as well as on the ground. Windsock locations should be easily viewable from all vantage points.
Lastly, “targets” are another low cost tool for monitoring potential issues. A target is any dark colored object placed strategically on the site to “catch” evidence of overspray. Dark colored pails hung on poles or black, spray-painted boxes both make effectual targets. Follow the motto “When in doubt go check it out.”
Train your crew
• It is imperative that all the contractors on the job site are aware of the tools and how to use them.
• Familiarize the crew with the at risk locations.
• Designate one person to be responsible for wind monitoring.
• Provide a whistle to crew to use as a job stop alarm in the event of a hazard.
Considering the potential financial liability of overspray removal clean-up costs, a wind monitoring plan utilizing a weather device, windsocks, targets, and crew training is an inexpensive way to reduce overspray fallout hazards.