Solvent Disposal - Paint Talk

LOSTinDETAILS · 08-20-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mantis

i stopped pouring used mineral spirits in woods in the back yard.

im doing my part

you are funny my friend...

Sorry for being off topic, but what do you do with your old solvents? I save mine in a metal 5 and take to the parts store and tell them Its oil.

I figure the oil companies are better equipped to deal with it than me.

**daArch** · 08-20-2009, 10:29 AM

Proper disposal of solvents is VERY on topic. IMO

I use a three bath system when cleaning brushes. The first rinse approaches a transparent stain and takes most of the solids out of the brushes, the second tier is rather cloudy and takes most everything out of the brush, and the third rinse is very clear and gets them CLEAN.

When #1 gets REALLY thick (more paint than solvent), it gets put aside to settle. Then # 2 becomes # 1 and # 3 becomes # 2 and a new # 3 is started. When old # 1 has settled, the clear(ish) solvent is poured off to be used in #1. And the solids in that can, once dried of all solvents, are appropriately discarded/recycled.

I know some who do the same for waterbornes as they are very mindful of the ill effects of rinsing them in a sink or the yard.

As green as any coating is advertised, I am sure they all present an environmental danger when mis-handled.

LOSTinDETAILS · 08-20-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daArch

And the solids in that can, once dried of all solvents, are appropriately discarded/recycled.

Sounds like you have a good system that saves a lot of solvents.

Where do you discard/recycle them?

**daArch** · 08-20-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOSTinDETAILS

Sounds like you have a good system that saves a lot of solvents.

Where do you discard/recycle them?

In years past, it was legal to throw DRIED paint in the bin at the "transfer station". I am not sure that's valid anymore. Check with your local authorities. You may need to dispose of them with a certified hazardous waste management company. Many contractors who dispose of liquid solvents will store them in a 55 gallon drum (under correct quidelines) and then have the waste management company pick it up when full.

But please, do not take my word as gospel. Laws are changing daily and it would be best to research appropriate action for your specific situation.

johnisimpson · 08-22-2009, 07:27 PM

Our city landfills have a few saturdays a year set aside for hazardous waste disposal. Paint, chemicals, etc. can be taken on those days.

**daArch** · 08-22-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnisimpson

Our city landfills have a few saturdays a year set aside for hazardous waste disposal. Paint, chemicals, etc. can be taken on those days.

John,

we have that also, but drop offs are limited to the HO's and professionals are excluded. I am sure one could drop off a gallon or two, but I am also sure folks here generate more than that.

OH, and obviously, your community may be different. If your business is allowed to drop off your solvents, you're a lucky man.

johnisimpson · 08-24-2009, 11:27 AM

Bill,

Disposal is limited to homeowners but they do take solvents. We're small enough that we don't have too large of a quantity of materials that we catch their eye. I still have a white truck with magnets instead of vinyl lettering and a removable ladder rack so on some saturdays, I'll load the truck with some of the used cans and such and let them get rid of it. Other times we take it to a waste management company that a GC friend has an account with and unload it there. We do the odd cleaning or touchup favor for the GC in exchange and everyone stays happy.

TJ Paint · 08-24-2009, 12:10 PM

This year I started a new system for cleaning my oil brushes: after the job is finished, I let it dry out and then just toss in the garbage. Disposal and extra solvent cost to me isn't worth the cost of cleaning a $12 dollar brush. A gallon of thinner costs 7 bucks. When I did the math, it made sense to just throw it away than bother with cleaning brushes.

DarthPainter · 08-24-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ Paint

This year I started a new system for cleaning my oil brushes: after the job is finished, I let it dry out and then just toss in the garbage. Disposal and extra solvent cost to me isn't worth the cost of cleaning a $12 dollar brush. A gallon of thinner costs 7 bucks. When I did the math, it made sense to just throw it away than bother with cleaning brushes.

Honestly, if oil wasn't so much better for certain situations I'.d love to see it die a quiet death.

Slingah · 08-24-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ Paint

This year I started a new system for cleaning my oil brushes: after the job is finished, I let it dry out and then just toss in the garbage. Disposal and extra solvent cost to me isn't worth the cost of cleaning a $12 dollar brush. A gallon of thinner costs 7 bucks. When I did the math, it made sense to just throw it away than bother with cleaning brushes.

I have taken this approach as well....if I know a job will be oil, I figure in on the cost of a brush or two....
I do have different gallons of thinner in different stages of settling and use those when needed if and when I do clean brushes.
I bring a couple of mostly solid/sludge ones to the hazardous waste day at the dump

Wolfgang · 08-25-2009, 05:23 AM

Curious to know if anyone has tried any of the solvent recycling setups? Price-wise they're getting more affordable. I know of a couple of autobody paint shops that use them and that's where I take mine. They dont even charge me. The sludge that's left at the bottom I just let dry out and dispose of.

BrushJockey · 08-26-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfgang

Curious to know if anyone has tried any of the solvent recycling setups? Price-wise they're getting more affordable. I know of a couple of autobody paint shops that use them and that's where I take mine. They dont even charge me. The sludge that's left at the bottom I just let dry out and dispose of.

See Bills system- Pretty much what I used to do. Now it is so far between oil jobs I just keep the brush wet through the job and toss it. And I have found an adequate oil brush for 4 bucks at Menards- ( midwest chain).

LOSTinDETAILS · 08-26-2009, 09:13 AM

Thanks Bill for turning this into a thread. I really am interested in other peoples way.

GoGreen · 08-31-2009, 12:14 AM

I rarely clean oil brushes anymore. I try not to use oil,but when I do, I buy the cheapest brushes I can and just toss them when I'm done. It's not worth the hassle.

Calist · 08-31-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoGreen

I rarely clean oil brushes anymore. I try not to use oil,but when I do, I buy the cheapest brushes I can and just toss them when I'm done. It's not worth the hassle.

This is what we've always done. Of course, when spraying oil, (we used to do this alot on fire damage jobs) you have to use the solvents. We recycled quite a bit. we'd let the solids settle then filter it off with a cheap paint strainer or sometimes a large (Sams Club) coffee filter then toss the filter.

Dmax Consulting · 09-11-2009, 12:17 PM

Darth Painter-

Oil is dying a silent death. In many parts of the country, you can't get certain oil products. This is happening mostly on the west coast and north east, but is moving to the rest of the country.

WAGGZ · 09-20-2009, 12:11 AM

I'm gonna be sad when oil is gone in my area. My SW rep told me that per capita my home town uses more oil than anywhere he has worked. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with having a lot of older homes Several from Civil war era and more from late 1800's early 1900's. So a ton of people around here still like oil. For trim we use oil 80% of the time if not more. I;m starting to use WB more cause I know the time is coming.

But yeah I'm like the other guy that said I quit dumping it in the woods I'm doing my part. Now I let it settle and reuse it the take it to the trash place that takes it and old paint. I pass by at least 3 different ones of these places every day so I can dump a lot with out being noticed.

bay area contractor · 09-20-2009, 06:32 PM

I'm really really shocked, that anyone would consider digging a whole and dump hazordous waste.

Recycling is our part to save the enviroment. Granted in the painting industry there are volatile compounds that we use that are harmful to the enviroment. I think with a little research you will find a lot of acrylics that will be able to replace oil products. All companies are trying to strive in meeting stringent voc levels and are coming up with products that far exceed oils.

Check with your local municipalities to see where solvents can, where, and when can be disposed of. Disposing of hazordous waste is one of the many costs of doing legitimate business, and can be wrote off part or full as an operating cost.

So many of you need to be educated in the actual costs of doing legitimate business. If you are not able to afford the costs, I recommend
getting in another line of business and don't contanimate our enviroment.

I suspect that with a lot of other things, you don't pay taxes, have workers comp or any business insurance as well.

**RCP** · 09-20-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bay area contractor

I'm really really shocked, that anyone would consider digging a whole and dump hazordous waste.

Recycling is our part to save the enviroment. Granted in the painting industry there are volatile compounds that we use that are harmful to the enviroment. I think with a little research you will find a lot of acrylics that will be able to replace oil products. All companies are trying to strive in meeting stringent voc levels and are coming up with products that far exceed oils.

Check with your local municipalities to see where solvents can, where, and when can be disposed of. Disposing of hazordous waste is one of the many costs of doing legitimate business, and can be wrote off part or full as an operating cost.

So many of you need to be educated in the actual costs of doing legitimate business. If you are not able to afford the costs, I recommend
getting in another line of business and don't contanimate our enviroment.

I suspect that with a lot of other things, you don't pay taxes, have workers comp or any business insurance as well.

Welcome to the forum, I believe the comment about dumping solvents in a hole was in jest. That is the point of this thread, to educate ourselves on best practices and options. You will find that most of the members here are professionals with all that is required.
Feel free to post an intro here and tell us about your business.

jason123 · 09-26-2009, 04:30 PM

When I started about tens years ago I was told oil is going to be fased out?? Oil being fased out to me now sounds like the world is ending ya its going to happen but when???
When you have a frustrating situation and then you add oil into the mix that has really got me upset sometimes, oil paint sometimes feels like a disease... Argh on my quote sheet I have a disclaimer saying that due to excessive waste there will be an added charge when oil is to be used.!!