SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

(Adopted July 8, 1988)(Amended May 5, 1989)(Amended March 2, 1990)

(Amended June 28, 1990)(Amended November 2, 1990)(Amended December 7, 1990)

(Amended August 2, 1991)(Amended September 6, 1991)

(Amended December 9, 1994)(Amended March 8, 1996)

(Amended June 13, 1997)(Amended December 11, 1998)(Amended December 2, 2005)

(Amended September 5, 2014)

RULE 1151. MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOBILE EQUIPMENT

NON-ASSEMBLY LINE COATING OPERATIONS

The provisions of subdivisions (a) through (i) of this rule shall sunset on June 30, 

2008, and subdivisions (a) through (i) of Appendix A shall become effective on July 

1, 2008.

(a) Purpose and Applicability

The purpose of this rule is to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds 

(VOC) and stratospheric ozone-depleting and global-warming compounds from 

coatings applied on Group I Vehicles and Equipment and Group II Vehicles, as 

defined in this rule, and their parts and components.

This rule applies to all commercial and non-commercial coating applications to 

Group I Vehicles and Equipment and Group II Vehicles and their parts and 

components at facilities involved in the non-assembly line production, 

modification, or refinishing of motor vehicles and mobile equipment. 

Commercial and non-commercial facilities with coating operations considered 

within the scope of this rule include, but are not limited to: autobody repair/paint 

shops, production autobody paint shops, new car dealer repair/paint shops, fleet 

operator repair/paint shops, custom-made car fabrication facilities, truck bodybuilders, and residences. Motor vehicle assembly-line coating operations are 

subject to Rule 1115 - Motor Vehicle Assembly Line Coating Operations, 

whereas the application of coatings on a vehicle which is not self-propelled, such 

as trailers and mobile homes, are subject to other source specific rules contained 

in Regulation XI.

(b) Definitions

For the purposes of this rule, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) ADHESION PROMOTER is a coating applied over both an existing nonsanded topcoat, and the coated area immediately adjacent to the nonsanded topcoat, to promote the adhesion of a subsequent topcoat. No 

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topcoat, primer, primer sealer, or primer surfacer shall be classified as an 

adhesion promoter.

(2) AEROSOL COATING PRODUCT is a pressurized coating product 

containing pigments or resins that dispenses product ingredients by means 

of a propellant, and is packaged in a disposable can for hand-held 

application, or for use in specialized equipment for ground traffic/marking 

applications.

(3) ANTI-GLARE SAFETY COATING is a coating formulated to eliminate 

glare for safety purposes on interior surfaces of a vehicle and which shows 

a reflectance of 25 or less on a 60o gloss meter.

(4) BASECOAT is a pigmented topcoat which is the first topcoat applied as 

part of a multistage topcoat system.

(5) BASECOAT/CLEARCOAT TOPCOAT SYSTEM is a topcoat system 

composed of a basecoat portion and a clearcoat portion. The VOC content 

of a basecoat/clearcoat topcoat system shall be calculated according to the 

following formula:

VOCms = VOCbc + 2 VOCcc

3

Where:

VOCms is the composite VOC content, less water and less exempt 

compounds to be used for compliance determination under 

the multistage topcoat system coating category.

VOCbc is the VOC content, less water and less exempt compounds 

as applied, of any given basecoat.

2 VOCcc is two times the VOC content, less water and less exempt 

compounds as applied, of any given clearcoat.

(6) BRIGHT METAL TRIM REPAIR COATING is a coating applied 

directly to chrome-plated metal surfaces for the purpose of appearance.

(7) BUS is any motor vehicle having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight of 

more than 8600 pounds and which is designed primarily for the 

transportation of persons, and having a design capacity of over 12 persons.

(8) CLEARCOAT is a topcoat which contains no pigments or only 

transparent pigments and which is the final topcoat applied as a part of a 

multistage topcoat system.

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(9) COATING is a material which is applied to a surface and which forms a 

film in order to beautify and/or protect such surface.

(10) ELASTOMERIC MATERIALS are coatings which are specifically 

formulated and applied over coated or uncoated flexible plastic substrates 

for the purpose of adhesion.

(11) ELECTROSTATIC APPLICATION is a method of applying coatings 

whereby the atomized coating droplets are charged and subsequently 

deposited on the substrate by electrostatic attraction.

(12) END-USER is a person who applies coatings.

(13) EXEMPT COMPOUNDS (See Rule 102-Definition of Terms).

(14) GENERAL TOPCOAT is any type of topcoat except 

metallic/iridescent topcoat, and any topcoat applied as part of a multistage 

topcoat system.

(15) GRAMS OF VOC PER LITER OF COATING LESS WATER

AND LESS EXEMPT COMPOUNDS, is the weight of VOC per 

combined volume of VOC and coating solids and shall be calculated by 

the following equation:

Grams of VOC per Liter of Coating, Less 

Water and Less Exempt Compounds = W W W

V V V

s w es

m w es

− −

− −

Where: Ws = weight of volatile compounds in grams

Ww = weight of water in grams

We

s

= weight of exempt compounds in grams

Vm = volume of material in liters

Vw = volume of water in liters

Ves = volume of exempt compounds in liters

(16) GRAMS OF VOC PER LITER OF MATERIAL is the weight of VOC per 

volume of material and shall be calculated by the following equation:

Grams of VOC per Liter of Material = W - W - W

V

s w es

m

Where: Ws = weight of volatile compounds in grams

Ww = weight of water in grams

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Wes = weight of exempt compounds in grams

Vm = volume of material in liters

(17) GROUP I VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT are large-sized trucks, buses, 

and mobile equipment.

(18) GROUP II VEHICLES are passenger cars, small-sized trucks and vans, 

medium-sized trucks and vans, motor homes, and motorcycles.

(19) HIGH-VOLUME, LOW-PRESSURE (HVLP) SPRAY is an equipment 

used to apply coatings by means of a spray gun which is designed to be 

operated and which is operated between 0.1 and 10 pounds per square inch 

gauge (psig) air pressure measured dynamically at the center of the air cap 

and at the air horns.

(20) HIGHWAY is a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and 

open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel. Highway includes 

street.

(21) IMPACT RESISTANT COATING is any coating applied to a rocker 

panel for the purpose of chip resistance to road debris.

(22) METALLIC/IRIDESCENT TOPCOAT is a topcoat which contains 

iridescent particles, composed of either metal as metallic particles or 

silicon as mica particles, in excess of 5 g/L (0.042 lb/gal) as applied, 

where such particles are visible in the dried film.

(23) MIDCOAT is a semi-transparent topcoat which is the middle topcoat 

applied as part of a three-stage topcoat system.

(24) MOBILE EQUIPMENT is self-propelled equipment which is physically 

capable of being driven on a highway. Mobile Equipment includes, but is 

not limited to: construction (mobile crane, bulldozer, concrete mixer), 

farming (wheel tractor, plow, pesticide sprayer), and miscellaneous (street 

cleaners, golf carts, hauling equipment used inside and around an airport, 

dock, depot, and industrial and commercial plants).

(25) MOTOR HOME is any motor vehicle originally designed, or permanently 

altered, and equipped for human habitation as defined in Section 362 of 

the California Vehicle Code.

(26) MOTOR VEHICLE is a vehicle which is self-propelled and which is 

physically capable of being driven on a highway.

(27) MOTORCYCLE is any motor vehicle other than a tractor having a seat or 

saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than 

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three wheels in contact with the ground and weighing less than 1500 

pounds, except that four wheels may be in contact with the ground when 

two of the wheels are a functional part of a sidecar.

(28) MULTI-COLORED TOPCOAT is a coating which exhibits more than one 

color when applied, and which is packaged in a single container and 

applied in a single coat.

(29) MULTI-COLORED MULTISTAGE TOPCOAT SYSTEM is a 

basecoat/clearcoat topcoat system in which the basecoat portion is a multicolored topcoat.

(30) MULTISTAGE TOPCOAT SYSTEM is any basecoat/clearcoat topcoat 

system or any three-stage topcoat system, manufactured as a system, and 

used as specified by the manufacturer.

(31) PASSENGER CAR is any motor vehicle designed primarily for 

transportation of persons and having a design capacity of 12 persons or 

less.

(32) PRETREATMENT COATING is a coating which contains no more than 

16 percent solids, by weight, and at least 1/2-percent acid, by weight, is 

used to provide surface etching, and is applied directly to bare metal 

surfaces to provide corrosion resistance and promote adhesion for 

subsequent coatings.

(33) PRIMER is a coating applied for purposes of corrosion resistance or 

adhesion of subsequent coatings.

(34) PRIMER SEALER is a coating applied prior to the application of a 

topcoat for the purpose of color uniformity, or to promote the ability of an 

underlying coating to resist penetration by the topcoat.

(35) PRIMER SURFACER is a coating applied for the purpose of corrosion 

resistance or adhesion, and which promotes a uniform surface by filling in 

surface imperfections.

(36) PROTOTYPE MOTOR VEHICLE is a motor vehicle whose design is the 

first of its kind and which is manufactured for public display to collect 

public opinion for potential assembly-line production.

(37) ROCKER PANEL is the panel area of a motor vehicle which is no more 

than ten inches from the bottom of a door, quarter panel or fender.

(38) RUBBERIZED ASPHALTIC UNDERBODY COATING is a coating 

applied to wheel wells, the inside of door panels or fenders, the underside 

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of a trunk or hood, or the underside of the motor vehicle itself, for the 

purpose of sound deadening or protection.

(39) SOLVENT CLEANING OPERATIONS is the removal of loosely held 

uncured adhesives, uncured inks, uncured coatings, and contaminants 

which include, but are not limited to, dirt, soil, and grease from parts, 

products, tools, machinery, equipment, and general work areas. Each 

distinct method of cleaning in a cleaning process which consists of a series 

of cleaning methods shall constitute a separate solvent cleaning operation.

(40) SPECIALTY COATING is any of the following coatings: adhesion 

promoters, uniform finish blenders, elastomeric materials, anti-glare safety 

coatings, impact resistant coatings, rubberized asphaltic underbody 

coatings, water hold-out coatings, weld-thru coatings, and bright metal 

trim repair coatings.

(41) SPOT REPAIRS are repairs to motor vehicles in which the damaged area 

to be repaired is limited to only a portion of any given panel so that an 

entire panel need not be repaired.

(42) STENCIL COATING is an ink or a pigmented coating which is rolled or 

brushed onto a template or a stamp in order to add identifying letters, 

symbols, and/or numbers to motor vehicles, mobile equipment, or their 

parts and components.

(43) THREE-STAGE TOPCOAT SYSTEM is a topcoat system composed of a 

basecoat portion, a midcoat portion and a transparent clearcoat portion. 

The VOC content of a three-stage topcoat system shall be calculated 

according to the following formula:

V O C = V O C + V O C + 2 V O C

4

m s b c m c c c

Where:

VOCms is the composite VOC content, less water and less exempt 

compounds to be used for compliance determination under 

the multistage topcoat system coating category.

VOCbc is the VOC content, less water and less exempt compounds 

as applied, of any given basecoat.

VOCmc is the VOC content, less water and less exempt compounds 

as applied, of any given midcoat.

2 VOCcc is two times the VOC content, less water and less exempt 

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compounds as applied, of any given clearcoat.

(44) TOPCOAT is a coating applied over any coating, for the purpose of 

appearance, identification, or protection. 

(45) TOUCH-UP COATING is a coating applied by brush, air-brush, or nonrefillable aerosol can to cover minor surface damage and dispensed in 

containers of no more than eight (8) ounces. 

(46) TRANSFER EFFICIENCY is the ratio of the weight of coating solids 

deposited on an object to the total weight of coating solids used in a 

coating application step, expressed as a percentage. 

(47) TRUCK is a motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the 

transportation of property. 

(A) LARGE-SIZED TRUCK is a truck having a manufacturer's gross 

vehicle weight rating of more than 8600 pounds.

(B) MEDIUM-SIZED TRUCK is a truck having a manufacturer's gross 

vehicle weight of 6001 to 8600 pounds.

(C) SMALL-SIZED TRUCK is any motor vehicle having a 

manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating at 6000 pounds or less 

and which is designed primarily for the purposes of transportation of 

property or is a derivative of such vehicle, or is available with 

special features enabling on-street or off-highway operation and use.

(48) UNIFORM FINISH BLENDERS are coatings which are applied in spot 

repairs for the purpose of blending a paint overspray area of a repaired 

topcoat to match the appearance of an adjacent existing topcoat.

(49) VAN is a closed truck for carrying property or persons. 

(A) MEDIUM-SIZED VAN is a van having a manufacturer's gross 

vehicle weight rating of 6001 to 8600 pounds.

(B) SMALL-SIZED VAN is a van having a manufacturer's gross vehicle 

weight rating at 6000 pounds or less and which is designed primarily 

for purposes of transportation of property and/or persons.

(50) VEHICLE is a device by which any person or property may be propelled, 

moved, or drawn upon a highway, excepting a device moved exclusively 

by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

(51) VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND (VOC) is as defined in Rule 102 –

Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this rule, tertiary butyl acetate 

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(TBAc) is not a VOC when used in coatings other than color coatings and 

clear coatings.

The Executive Officer shall conduct a technical assessment on the use of 

TBAc as a non-VOC by July 1, 2007. In conducting the technical 

assessment, the Executive Officer shall consider all information on TBAc 

including, toxicity, carcinogenic and health risk assessment studies. The 

Executive Office shall report to the Governing Board as to the 

appropriateness of maintaining TBAc as a non-VOC.

(52) WATER HOLD-OUT COATING is a coating applied to the interior 

cavity areas of doors, quarterpanels and rocker panels for the purpose of 

corrosion resistance to prolonged water exposure.

(53) WELD-THRU COATING is a coating applied to metal immediately prior 

to welding to provide corrosion resistance.

(c) Requirements

(1) VOC Content of Coatings

A person shall not apply a coating to Group I vehicles and equipment, and 

Group II vehicles, or their parts and components, which has a VOC 

content which exceeds the limits contained in subparagraphs (c)(1)(A) and 

(c)(1)(B). Compliance with the VOC limits shall be based on VOC 

content, including any VOC material added to the original coating 

supplied by the manufacturer, less water and exempt compounds, as 

applied to the vehicle, mobile equipment, or parts and components.

(A) Group I Vehicles and Equipment

A person who applies coatings to Group I vehicles and equipment, 

or their parts or components, shall not apply a coating which has a 

VOC content in excess of the limits in Table 1.

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TABLE 1

 VOC LIMITS

 Grams Per Liter of Coating, Less Water and Exempt Compounds

COATING

On and After

December 12, 1998

g/L lb/gal

Pretreatment 780 6.5

Primer/Primer Surfacer/

Primer Sealer

250 2.1

Topcoats

General 340 2.8

Metallic/Iridescent 340* 2.8*

Multi-Colored 685 5.7

Multistage 340* 2.8*

Specialty Coating 840 7.0

*The VOC limits for Metallic/Irridescent and Multistage topcoats for spot repairs 

on Group I vehicles and mobile equipment will be 3.5 lb/gal (less water and 

exempt compounds).

(B) Group II Vehicles

A person who applies coatings to Group II vehicles, or their parts 

or components, shall not apply a coating which has a VOC content 

in excess of the limits in Table 2. 

TABLE 2

VOC Limits

Grams Per Liter of Coating,

Less Water and Exempt Compounds

COATING On and After

December 12, 

1998

On and After

July 1, 1999

On and After

October 1, 

1999

g/L 

lb/gal

g/L 

lb/gal

g/L 

lb/gal

Pretreatment 780 

6.5

780 

6.5

780 

6.5

Primer/Primer 

Surfacer

250 

2.1

250 

2.1

250 

2.1

Primer Sealer 340 

2.8

340 

2.8

340 

2.8

Topcoats

 General 420 

3.5

420 

3.5

420 

3.5

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Rule 1151 (Cont.) (Amended December 2, 2005PAR1151 September 2014))

 Metallic/Iridescent 420 

3.5

420 

3.5

420 

3.5

 Multi-Colored 685 

5.7

685 

5.7

685 

5.7

 Multistage System

 ≥ 2 gal/day1 540 

4.5

4201 

3.5

420 

3.5

 < 2 gal/day2 540 

4.5

5402 

4.5

420 

3.5

 Multi-Colored 

Multistage

420 

3.5

420 

3.5

420 

3.5

Specialty Coating 840 

7.0

840 

7.0

840 

7.0

1

 On and after July 1, 1999, any person who uses two gallons or more of combined 

basecoat and clearcoat, as applied, on any given day shall comply with the 420 g/L 

(3.5 lb/gal) limit.

2

 Any person who uses less than two gallons of combined basecoat and clearcoat, as 

applied, on each day up to September 30, 1999 shall comply with the 3.5 lb/gal limit 

on and after October 1, 1999.

(2) Exempt Compounds

A person shall not apply a coating which contains any Group II exempt 

compounds as defined in Rule 102 except for methylene chloride; carbon 

tetrachloride; perchloroethylene; or cyclic, branched, or linear, completely 

methylated siloxanes (VMS).

(3) Carcinogenic Materials

A person shall not apply the coatings in which cadmium or hexavalent 

chromium was introduced as a pigment or as an agent to impart any 

property or characteristic to the coatings during manufacturing, 

distribution, or use of the applicable coatings.

(4) Transfer Efficiency

(A) A person shall not apply coatings except by the use of one of the 

following methods:

(i) electrostatic application, or 

(ii) high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) spray, or

(iii) such other coating application methods as are 

demonstrated, in accordance with the provisions of 

subparagraph (g)(1)(E), to be capable of achieving 

equivalent or better transfer efficiency than the coating 

application method listed in clause (c)(4)(A)(ii), and for 

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which written approval of the Executive Officer has been 

obtained.

(B) A person shall not apply coatings by any of the methods listed in 

subparagraph (c)(4)(A) unless the coating is applied with properly 

operating equipment, operated according to procedures 

recommended by the manufacturer.

(5) Solvent Cleaning Operations; Storage and Disposal of VOC-containing 

Materials

Solvent cleaning of application equipment, parts, products, tools, 

machinery, equipment, general work areas, and the storage and disposal of 

VOC-containing materials used in cleaning operations shall be carried out 

pursuant to Rule 1171 - Solvent Cleaning Operations.

(6) Approved Emission Control System

A person may comply with the provisions of paragraph (c)(1), by using an 

approved emission control system, consisting of collection and control 

devices, which is approved, in writing, by the Executive Officer for 

reducing emissions of VOC. The Executive Officer shall approve such 

emission control system only if the VOC emissions resulting from the use 

of non-compliant coatings will be reduced to a level equivalent to or lower 

than that which would have been achieved by the compliance with the 

terms of paragraph (c)(1).

The required efficiency of an emission control system at which an 

equivalent or greater level of VOC emission reduction will be achieved 

shall be calculated by the following equation:

C.E. = { } 100

1 (VOC /D )

1- (VOC /D )

(VOC )

(VOC ) 1

LWc c

LWn,Max n,Max

LWn,Max

LWc ×

















− − ×

Where:

C.E. = Control Efficiency, percent

VOCLWc = VOC Limit of Rule 1151, less water and 

less exempt compounds, pursuant to 

paragraph (c)(1).

VOCLWn,

Max

= Maximum VOC content of non-compliant 

coating used in conjunction with a control 

device, less water and exempt compounds.

Dn,Max = Density of VOC solvent, reducer, or thinner 

contained in the non-compliant coating 

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Rule 1151 (Cont.) (Amended December 2, 2005PAR1151 September 2014))

containing the maximum VOC.

Dc = Density of corresponding VOC solvent, 

reducer, or thinner used in the compliant 

coating system = 880 g/L.

(7) Alternative Emission Control Plan

A person may comply with the provisions of paragraph (c)(1) by means of 

an Alternative Emission Control Plan (AECP), pursuant to Rule 108.

(8) Specialty Coatings

Use of all specialty coatings shall not exceed 10 percent (by volume) of all 

coatings applied, averaged on a monthly (calendar) basis.

(d) Prohibition of Possession, Specification and Sale

(1) Effective July 1, 2006, no person that applies automotive coatings subject 

to this rule shall possess any automotive coating that is not in compliance 

with requirements of paragraph (c)(1), unless one or more of the following 

conditions apply:

(A) The coating is located at a facility that utilizes an approved emission 

control device pursuant to paragraph (c)(6), and the coating meets the 

limits specified in permit conditions.

(B) The coating is at a facility that operates in compliance with an approved 

Alternative Emissions Control Plan pursuant to paragraph (c)(7), and the 

coating is specified in the plan.

(C) The coating is exempt pursuant to paragraph (i)(3) or (i)(5).

(2) No person shall solicit from, or require any other person to use in the 

District any coating which, when applied as supplied or thinned or reduced 

according to the manufacturer's recommendation for application, does not 

meet the:

(A) Applicable VOC limits required by paragraph (c)(1) for the 

specific application unless:

(i) The coating is located at a facility that utilizes an approved 

emission control device pursuant to paragraph (c)(6), and 

the coating meets the limits specified in permit conditions; 

or,

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(ii) The coating is at a facility that operates in compliance 

approved Alternative Emissions Control Plan pursuant to 

paragraph (c)(7), and the coating is specified in the plan; or

(iii) the coating is specifically exempt pursuant to subdivision 

(i) of this rule; and

(iv) the coating meets requirements of paragraphs (c)(2) or 

(c)(3).

(3) No person shall offer for sale, sell, or distribute for use in the District any 

coating which, when applied as supplied or thinned or reduced according 

to the manufacturer's recommendation for application, does not meet the:

(A) applicable VOC limits required by paragraph (c)(1) for the 

specific application, unless:

(i) The coating is located at a facility that utilizes an approved 

emission control device pursuant to paragraph (c)(6), and 

the coating meets the limits specified in permit conditions; 

or,

(ii) The coating is specifically exempt pursuant to subdivision 

(i) of this rule; and,

(iii) The coating is at a facility that operates in compliance 

approved Alternative Emissions Control Plan pursuant to 

paragraph (c)(7), and the coating is specified in the plan; 

and

(iv) The person that offers for sale or distributes the coating 

keeps the following records for at least five years and 

makes them available to the Executive Officer upon 

request:

(I) Coating name and manufacturer;

(II) Application method;

(III) Coating category and mix ratio specific to the 

coating;

(IV) VOC content of the coating;

(V) Documentation that the material is a coating;

(VI) Current manufacturer specification sheets, 

material safety data sheets, technical data sheets, or 

air quality data sheets, which list the VOC content 

of each ready-to-spray coating (based on the 

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manufacturer’s stated mix ratio) and automotive 

coating components and VOC content of each 

solvent;

(VII) Purchase records identifying the 

coating category, name, and volume of coatings; 

and

(VIII) The name and address of the person 

purchasing the coating, a statement of the basis the 

purchase will comply with this paragraph, including 

if use is for outside the District, and 

acknowledgement by the purchaser that this 

statement is correct.

(B) the requirements of paragraphs (c)(2) or (c)(3).

(4) No person shall solicit from, require, offer for sale to, sell to, or distribute to 

any other person for use in the District any coating application equipment 

which does not meet the requirements of subparagraph (c)(4)(A).

(5) No person shall offer for sale, sell, or distribute an HVLP spray gun unless 

the person offering for sale, selling, or distributing the HVLP spray gun 

provides accurate information to the spray gun recipient on the maximum 

inlet air pressure to the spray gun which would result in a maximum 10 

pounds per square inch gauge air pressure measured dynamically at the 

center of the air cap and the air horns. The information shall be 

permanently marked on the gun, or provided on the company's letterhead 

or in the form of technical literature which clearly identifies the spray gun 

manufacturer, the salesperson, or the distributor.

(6) The requirements of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3) or (d)(4) shall apply 

to all written or oral agreements executed and entered into under the terms 

of which a coating or a coating application equipment shall be used at any 

location within the District.

(e) Offer for Sale

(1) On and after February 1, 1999, any coating manufacturer that sells or 

offers for sale for use in the District clearcoat shall offer for sale at least 

one clearcoat product line with a VOC content of 2.1 pounds per gallon 

(excluding water and exempt compounds) or less, on an as applied basis, 

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Rule 1151 (Cont.) (Amended December 2, 2005PAR1151 September 2014))

at all locations where their clearcoats are sold or offered for sale to the end 

users.

(2) On and after February 1, 1999, any person who sells or offers for sale to 

the end users a coating manufacturer’s clearcoat for use in the District 

shall offer for sale at least one clearcoat product line with a VOC content 

of 2.1 pounds per gallon (excluding water and exempt compounds) or less, 

on an as applied basis, offered for sale by that coating manufacturer.

(f) Recordkeeping Requirements

(1) Recordkeeping for VOC Emissions

Records of coating usage shall be maintained pursuant to Rule 109.

(2) Recordkeeping for Emission Control Systems

Any person using an emission control system as a means of complying 

with the provisions of paragraph (c)(1) shall maintain daily records of key 

system operating and maintenance procedures which will demonstrate 

continuous operation and compliance of the emission control system 

during periods of emission producing activities. Key system operating 

parameters are those necessary to ensure compliance with VOC limits. 

The parameters include, but are not limited to, temperatures, pressures, 

and flowrates.

(g) Test Methods

(1) Methods of Analysis

For the purpose of this rule, the following test methods shall be used: 

(A) VOC Content of Coatings

The VOC content of coatings shall be determined by the methods 

specified in clauses (g)(1)(A)(i) or (g)(1)(A)(ii):

(i) United States Environmental Protection Agency ("U.S. 

EPA") Reference Method 24, (Title 40 Code of Federal 

Regulations, Part 60, Appendix A). The exempt 

compounds content shall be determined by SCAQMD 

Method 303 (Determination of Exempt Compounds) 

contained in the SCAQMD "Laboratory Method of 

Analysis for Enforcement Samples" manual; or

(ii) SCAQMD Method 304 [Determination of Volatile Organic 

Compounds (VOCs) in Various Materials] contained in the 

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Rule 1151 (Cont.) (Amended December 2, 2005PAR1151 September 2014))

SCAQMD "Laboratory Method of Analysis for 

Enforcement Samples" manual.

(iii) Exempt Perfluorocarbon Compounds

The following classes of compounds: cyclic, branched, or 

linear, completely fluorinated alkanes; cyclic, branched, or 

linear, completely fluorinated ethers with no unsaturations; 

cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated tertiary 

amines with no unsaturations; and sulfur-containing 

perfluorocarbons with no unsaturations and with sulfur 

bonds only to carbon and fluorine, will be analyzed as 

exempt compounds for compliance with paragraph (c)(1), 

only at such time as manufacturers specify which 

individual compounds are used in the formulation of the 

coatings and identify the test methods, which have been 

approved by the U.S. EPA and the District prior to such 

analysis, that can be used to quantify the amount of each 

exempt compound.

(B) Determination of Iridescent Particles in Metallic/Iridescent 

Topcoat

The metal and silicon content of metallic/iridescent topcoat shall 

be determined by SCAQMD Method 311 (Determination of 

Percent Metal in Metallic Coatings by Spectrographic Method) 

contained in the SCAQMD "Laboratory Method of Analysis for 

Enforcement Samples" manual.

(C) Acid Content in Pretreatment Coatings

The acid content of pretreatment coatings shall be determined by 

ASTM Test Method D1613.

(D) Reflectance of Anti-Glare Safety Coatings

The reflectance of anti-glare safety coatings shall be measured by 

ASTM Test Method D-523.

(E) Transfer Efficiency

The transfer efficiency of alternative coating application methods, 

as defined by clause (c)(4)(A)(iii), shall be determined in 

accordance with the SCAQMD method "Spray Equipment 

Transfer Efficiency Test Procedure for Equipment User, May 24, 

1989."

1151 -16
Rule 1151 (Cont.) (Amended December 2, 2005PAR1151 September 2014))

(F) Equivalent Test Methods

Other test methods may also be used for method of analysis if 

approved in writing by the Executive Officer, the California Air 

Resources Board ("CARB"), and the U.S. EPA.

(2) Determination of Efficiency of Emission Control Systems

(A) The efficiency of the collection device of an emission control 

system as specified in paragraph (c)(6) shall be determined by the 

methods specified in clauses (g)(2)(A)(i), (g)(2)(A)(ii), or 

(g)(2)(A)(iii).

(i) U.S. EPA method cited in 55 Federal Register (FR) 26865, 

June 29, 1990; or

(ii) The SCAQMD "Protocol for Determination of Volatile 

Organic Compounds (VOC) Capture Efficiency"; or

(iii) Any other method approved by the Executive Officer, 

CARB and U.S. EPA. 

(B) The efficiency of the control device of an emission control system 

as specified in paragraph (c)(6) and the VOC content in the control 

device exhaust gases, measured and calculated as carbon, shall be 

determined by U.S. EPA Test Methods 25, 25A, or SCAQMD 

Method 25.1 (Determination of Total Gaseous Non-Methane 

Organic Emissions as Carbon) as applicable. U.S. EPA Test 

Method 18, or CARB Method 422 shall be used to determine 

emissions of exempt compounds.

(3) Multiple Test Methods

When more than one test method or set of test methods are specified for 

any testing, a violation of any requirement of this rule established by any 

one of the specified test methods or set of test methods shall constitute a 

violation of the rule.

(h) Rule 442 Applicability

Any coating operation, subject to this rule which is exempt from all or a portion 

of the VOC limits of this rule shall comply with the provisions of Rule 442.

(i) Exemptions

(1) The provisions of paragraph(c)(4) of this rule shall not apply to:

(A) touch-up coatings.

1151 -17
Rule 1151 (Cont.) (Amended December 2, 2005PAR1151 September 2014))

(B) stencil coatings.

(2) The prohibition specified in subdivision (d) shall not apply to coatings or 

spray equipment which will be used solely outside of the District.

(3) The requirements of paragraph (c)(1) shall not apply to coatings applied 

for educational purposes at coating training centers, which are owned and 

operated by coating manufacturers, provided that the VOC emissions 

emitted at a coating training center from coatings not complying with 

paragraph (c)(1) do not exceed twelve (12) pounds per day.

(4) The provisions of this rule shall not apply to aerosol coating products.

(5) The requirements of paragraphs (c)(1), (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) shall not 

apply to topcoats supplied by an assembly-line motor vehicle 

manufacturer for use by a prototype motor vehicle manufacturing facility 

in the finishing of a prototype motor vehicle, provided that the VOC 

emissions at the prototype motor vehicle manufacturing facility from such 

topcoats does not exceed 21 pounds in a calendar day and 930 pounds in a 

calendar year.

(6) The requirements of paragraph (e)(1) shall not apply to coating 

manufacturers that only sell or offer for sale for use in the District 

clearcoat that is formulated and recommended for use in conjunction with 

only waterborne-basecoats.

(7) The requirements of paragraph (e)(2) shall not apply to a coating 

manufacturer's clearcoats which are formulated and recommended for use 

in conjunction with only waterborne basecoats.

1151 -18
Appendix A

Rule 1151 – Effective July 1, 2008

Effective July 1, 2008, the provisions in subdivisions (a) through (i) of this 

appendix shall become effective and replace subdivisions (a) through (i) of 

Rule 1151

.

(a) Purpose

The purpose of this rule is to limit reduce volatile organic compound (VOC)

emissions, toxic air contaminants, stratospheric ozone-depleting compounds, and 

global-warming compound emissions from automotive coatings operations 

associated with the coating of applications performed on motor vehicles, and 

mobile equipment, and associated parts and components.

(b) Applicability

This rule is applicable to any person who supplies, sells, offers for sale, markets, 

manufactures, blends, packages, repackages, possesses or distributes any 

automotive coating or associated solvent for use within the District, as well as any 

person who uses, applies, or solicits, the use or application of any automotive 

coating or associated solvent within the District.

(c) Definitions

For the purpose of this rule, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) ADHESION PROMOTER means a any automotive coating, which is 

specifically labeled and formulated to be applied to uncoated plastic 

surfaces to facilitate bonding of subsequent automotive coatings, and on 

which, a subsequent automotive coating is applied.

(2) AEROSOL COATING PRODUCT means a pressurized coating product 

containing pigments or resins that dispenses product ingredients by means 

of a propellant, and is packaged in a disposable can for hand-held 

application, or for use in specialized equipment for ground traffic/marking 

applications.

(3) ASSEMBLY LINE means an arrangement of industrial equipment and 

workers in which the product passes from one specialized operation to 

another until complete, by either automatic or manual means.

(4) ASSOCIATED PARTS AND COMPONENTS means structures, devices, 

pieces, modules, sections, assemblies, subassemblies, or elements of any 

motor vehicles or mobile equipment that are designed to be a part of any 

motor vehicles or mobile equipment but which are not attached to any 

motor vehicles or mobile equipment at the time of the application of an 

automotive coating to such the structure, device, piece, module, section, 

assembly, subassembly, or element. The Associated parts and components 

definition does do not include circuit boards.

--1--PAR1151 - 1
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

(5) AUTOMOTIVE COATING means any coating or coating component 

used or recommended for use in motor vehicles, or mobile equipment or

associated parts and components in refinishing, service, maintenance, 

repair, restoration, or modification, except metal plating activities. Any 

reference to automotive refinishing or automotive coating made by a 

person on the container or in product literature constitutes a 

recommendation for use in motor vehicle, or mobile equipment and 

associated parts and components refinishing.

(6) AUTOMOTIVE COATING COMPONENT means any portion of a 

coating, including, but not limited to, a reducer or thinner, toner, hardener, 

and additive, which is recommended by any person to distributors or endusers for use in an automotive coating, or which is used in an automotive 

coating. The raw materials used to produce the components are not 

considered automotive coating components.

(7) AUTOMOTIVE GRAPHIC ARTS OPERATION means the application 

of logos, letters, designs, numbers, or graphics to a painted surface by 

brush, roller or airbrush.

(7)(8) AUTOMOTIVE REFINISHING FACILITY means any shop, business, 

location, or parcel of land where motor vehicles or mobile equipment or 

their associated parts and components are coated, including autobody 

collision repair shops. “Automotive Refinishing refinishing 

Facilityfacility” does not include the original equipment manufacturing 

plant where the motor vehicle or mobile equipment is completely 

assembled.

(8) CARB means the California Air Resources Board.

(9) CLEANING OPERATIONS means the removal of loosely held uncured 

adhesives, inks, coatings, or contaminants, including, but not limited to, 

dirt, soil, or grease, from motor vehicles, mobile equipment, associated 

parts and components, substrates, parts, products, tools, machinery, 

equipment, or general work areas.

(10)(9) CLEAR COATING means any automotive coating that contains no 

pigments is formulated with materials that do not impart color and is 

specifically labeled and formulated for application over a color coating or 

clear coating.

--2--1151 - 2
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

(11)(10) COATING means a material which is applied to a surface and 

forms a film in order to beautify, preserve, repair, or protect such a 

surface.

(12)(11) COLOR COATING means any pigmented automotive coating, 

excluding automotive adhesion promoters, primers, and multi-color 

coatings, that requires a subsequent clear coating and which is applied 

over a primer, or adhesion promoter or color coating. Color coatings 

include metallic/iridescent color coatings.

(13)(12) ELECTROSTATIC SPRAY APPLICATION means any method 

of spray application of automotive coatings where an electrostatic 

attraction is created between the part to be coated and the paint particles.

(14)(13) EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM means any combination of 

capture systems and control devices used to reduce VOC emissions from 

automotive coating operations.

(15)(14) EXEMPT COMPOUNDS are as defined in Rule 102-Definition of 

Terms.

(16)(15) GRAMS OF VOC PER LITER OF COATING LESS WATER 

AND LESS EXEMPT COMPOUNDS, OR REGULATORY VOC, is the 

weight of VOC per combined volume of VOC and coating solids and shall 

be calculated by the following equation:

Grams of VOC per Liter of Coating, Less 

Water and Less Exempt Compounds = W W W

V V V

s w es

m w es

− −

− −

Where: Ws = weight of volatile compounds in grams

Ww = weight of water in grams

We

s

= weight of exempt compounds in grams

Vm = volume of material in liters

Vw = volume of water in liters

Ves = volume of exempt compounds in liters

(17)(16) GRAMS OF VOC PER LITER OF MATERIAL, OR ACTUAL 

VOC, is the weight of VOC per volume of material and shall be calculated 

by the following equation:

--3--1151 - 3
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

Grams of VOC per Liter of Material = W - W - W

V

s w es

m

Where: Ws = weight of volatile compounds in grams

Ww = weight of water in grams

Wes = weight of exempt compounds in grams

Vm = volume of material in liters

(18)(17) HIGH-VOLUME, LOW-PRESSURE (HVLP) means spray 

application equipment designed to atomize 100 percent by air pressure 

only and is operated between 0.1 and 10 pounds per square inch, gauge, 

(psig) air atomizing pressure measured dynamically at the center of the air 

cap and at the air horns.

(19)(18) METALLIC/IRIDESCENT COLOR COATING means any 

automotive coating that contains more than 0.042 pounds per gallon (5 

grams per liter) of metal or iridescent particles as applied, where such 

particles are visible in the dried film.

(20)(19) MOBILE EQUIPMENT means any device that may be drawn 

and/or driven on rails or a roadway including, but not limited to, trains, 

railcars, truck trailers, mobile cranes, bulldozers, street cleaners, and 

implements of husbandry or agriculture.

(21)(20) MOTOR VEHICLE means any self-propelled vehicle, including, 

but not limited to, motorcycles, passenger cars, light-duty trucks and vans, 

medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles as defined in Section 1900, Title 

13, of the California Administrative Code. Additional examples include, 

but are not limited to, buses, golf carts, vans, motorcycles, tanks, and 

armored personnel carriers.

(22)(21) MULTI-COLOR COATING means any automotive coating that 

exhibits more than one color in the dried film after a single application, is 

packaged in a single container, and hides surface defects on areas of heavy 

use, and which is applied over a primer or adhesion promoter.

(23)(22) PRETREATMENT COATING means any automotive coating that 

contains a minimum of one-half (0.5) percent acid by weight and not more 

than 16 percent solids by weight necessary to provide surface etching and 

that is specifically labeled and formulated for application directly to bare 

metal surfaces to provide corrosion resistance and adhesion.

--4--1151 - 4
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

(24)(23) PRIMER means any automotive coating, which that is specifically 

labeled and formulated for application to a substrate to provide 1) a bond 

between the substrate and subsequent coats, 2) corrosion resistance, 3) a 

smooth substrate surface, or 4) resistance to penetration of subsequent 

coats, and on which a subsequent coating is applied. Primers may be 

pigmented and include weld-through primers.

(25)(24) SINGLE-STAGE COATING means any pigmented automotive 

coating, (excluding automotive adhesion promoters, primers and multicolor coatings), specifically labeled and formulated for application without 

a subsequent clear coatcoating and that are applied over an adhesion 

promoter, a primer, or a color coating. Single-stage coatings include 

single-stage metallic/iridescent coatings.

(25) SOLVENT CLEANING is as defined in Rule 1171 – Solvent Cleaning 

Operations.

(26) SPOT REPAIR means repair of an area on a motor vehicle, piece of 

mobile equipment, or associated parts or components of less than 1 one 

square foot (929 square centimeters).

(27) TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE COATING means any automotive coating

which is specifically labeled and formulated for the purpose of temporarily 

protecting areas from overspray or mechanical damage.

(28) TRANSFER EFFICIENCY means the amount of coating solids adhering 

to the object being coated divided by the total amount of automotive 

coating solids sprayed, expressed as a percentage.

(29) TRUCK BED LINER COATING means any automotive coating, 

excluding color, multi-color, and single stage coatings, specifically 

labeled and formulated for application to a truck bed to protect it from 

surface abrasion.

(30) UNDERBODY COATING means any automotive coating specifically 

labeled and formulated for application to wheel wells, the inside of door 

panels or fenders, the underside of a trunk or hood, or the underside of the 

motor vehicle.

(31) UNIFORM FINISH COATING means any automotive coating 

specifically labeled and formulated for application to the area around a 

spot repair for the purpose of blending a repaired area’s color or clear coat 

to match the appearance of an adjacent area’s existing coating.

(32) U.S. EPA means the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

--5--1151 - 5
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

(33)(32) VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND (VOC) is as defined in 

Rule 102-Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this rule, tertiary butyl 

acetate (TBAc) is not a VOC when used in automotive coatings other than 

color coatings and clear coatings.

The Executive Officer shall conduct a technical assessment on the use of 

TBAc as a non-VOC by July 1, 2007December 31, 2016. In conducting 

the technical assessment, the Executive Officer shall consider all 

information available to the SCAQMD on TBAc including, toxicity, 

carcinogenic and health risk assessment studies. The Executive Office 

shall report to the Governing Board as to the appropriateness of 

maintaining TBAc as a non-VOC.

(34)(33) WELD-THROUGH PRIMER means an automotive coating 

designed and labeled exclusively to provide a bridging or conducting 

effect for corrosion protection following welding.

(d) Requirements

(1) A person shall not apply any automotive coating to a motor vehicle, 

mobile equipment, or associated parts or components, of a motor vehicle 

or mobile equipment that have a contains VOC content in excess of the 

limits contained in Table A of this paragraphspecified in the Table of 

Standards below. Compliance with the applicable VOC content limits 

shall be based on VOC content, including any VOC material added to the 

original automotive coating supplied by the manufacturer, less water and 

exempt compounds, as applied, to the vehicle, mobile equipment or parts 

and components less water and exempt compounds.

--6--1151 - 6
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

Table A – Coating Categories and VOC limits

Coating Categories

VOC Limits

Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds

Effective Dates

July 1, 2008 January 1, 2009 January 1, 2010

g/L lb/gal g/L lb/gal g/L lb/gal

Adhesion Promoter 540 4.5

Clear Coating 250 2.1

Color Coating 420 3.5

Multi-Color Coating 680 5.7

Pretreatment Coating 660 5.5

Primer 250 2.1

Single-Stage Coating 340 2.8

Temporary Protective 

Coating

60 0.5

Truck Bed Liner 

Coating

310 2.6

Underbody Coating 430 3.6

Uniform Finishing 

Coating

540 4.5

Any other coating 

type

250 2.1

--7--1151 - 7
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

TABLE OF STANDARDS

VOC CONTENT LIMITS

Grams per Liter of Coating, Less Water and Less Exempt 

Compounds

AUTOMOTIVE COATING

CATEGORIES

Current Limit

g/L Lb/Gal

Adhesion Promoter 540 4.5

Clear Coating 250 2.1

Color Coating 420 3.5

Multi-Color Coating 680 5.7

Pretreatment Coating 660 5.5

Primer 250 2.1

Single-Stage Coating 340 2.8

Temporary Protective Coating 60 0.5

Truck Bed Liner Coating 310 2.6

Underbody Coating 430 3.6

Uniform Finishing Coating 540 4.5

Any Other Coating Type 250 2.1

(2) Most Restrictive VOC Limit

If any representation on or information on the container of any automotive 

coating, or any label or sticker affixed to the container, or in any sales, 

advertising, or technical literature supplied by a person that indicates that 

the automotive coating meets the definition of or is recommended for use 

for more than one of the automotive coating categories listed in paragraph 

(d)(1), then the lowest VOC content limit shall apply.

(3) VOC Limits Compliance Dates

The VOC limits in effect as of December 2, 2005 shall be applicable until 

superceded by the VOC limits and effectives dates in Table A of 

paragraph (d)(1).

(4)(3) Alternative Compliance

(A) Emission Control System

A person may comply with the provisions of paragraph (d)(1), by 

using an approved emission control system, consisting of 

collection and control devices, that isprovided such emission 

control system is approved pursuant to Rule 203 – Permit to 

Operate, in writing, by the Executive Officer for reducing 

--8--1151 - 8
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

emissions of VOC. The Executive Officer shall approve such 

emission control system only if the VOC emissions resulting from 

the use of non-compliant automotive coatings will be reduced to a 

level equivalent to or lower than that which would have been 

achieved by the compliance with the terms of paragraph (d)(1). 

The required efficiency of an emission control system at which an 

equivalent or greater level of VOC emission reduction will be 

achieved shall be calculated by the following equation:

C.E. = { } 100

1 (VOC /D )

1- (VOC /D )

(VOC )

(VOC ) 1

LWc c

LWn,Max n,Max

LWn,Max

LWc ×

















− − ×

Where:

C.E. = Control Efficiency, percent

VOCLWc = VOC Limit of Rule 1151, less water and 

less exempt compounds, pursuant to 

paragraph (d)(1).

VOCLWn,

Max

= Maximum VOC content of non-compliant 

automotive coating used in conjunction with 

a control device, less water and exempt 

compounds.

Dn,Max = Density of VOC solvent, reducer, or thinner 

contained in the non-compliant automotive 

coating containing the maximum VOC.

Dc = Density of corresponding VOC solvent, 

reducer, or thinner used in the compliant 

automotive coating system = 880 g/L.

(B) Alternative Emission Control Plan

A person may comply with the provisions of paragraph (d)(1) by 

means of an Alternative Emissions Control Plan, pursuant to Rule 

108 – Alternative Emissions Control Plans.

(5)(4) Exempt Compounds

A person shall not manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute for use in the 

District, or apply any automotive coating which contains any Group II 

Exempt Compounds as defined in Rule 102. 

--9--1151 - 9
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

(6)(5) Carcinogenic Materials

A person shall not manufacture the automotive coatings for use in the 

SCAQMD in which cadmium or hexavalent chromium was introduced as 

a pigment or as an agent to impart any property or characteristic to the 

automotive coatings during manufacturing, distribution, or use of the 

applicable automotive coatings.

(7)(6) Transfer Efficiency

(A) A person shall not apply automotive coatings to any motor vehicle, 

mobile equipment or any associated parts or components to a 

motor vehicle or mobile equipment except by the use of one of the 

following methods:

(i) electrostatic application, or 

(ii) high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) spray, or

(iii) brush, dip, or roller, or

(iv) Spray gun application, provided the owner or operator 

demonstrates that the spray gun meets the HVLP definition 

in paragraph (c)(17) in design and use. A satisfactory

demonstration must be based on the manufacturer’s 

published technical material on the design of the spray gun 

and by a demonstration of the operation of the spray gun 

using an air pressure tip gauge from the manufacturer of the 

spray gun.

(v) Any such other automotive coating application methods as 

are demonstrated, in accordance with the provisions of 

subparagraph (h)(1)(EF), to be capable of achieving 

equivalent or better transfer efficiency than the automotive 

coating application method listed in clause (d)(6)(A)(ii), 

and for whichprovided written approval is obtained of from 

the Executive Officer has been obtainedprior to use.

(B) A person shall not apply any automotive coatings by any of the 

methods listed in subparagraph (d)(6)(A) unless the automotive 

coating is applied with properly operating equipment, operated 

according to procedures recommended by the manufacturer and in 

compliance with applicable permit conditions, if any.

(8)(7) Solvent Cleaning, Storage and Disposal of VOC-Containing Materials

--10--1151 - 10
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

Solvent cleaning of application equipment, parts, products, tools, 

machinery, equipment, general work areas, and the storage and disposal of 

VOC-containing materials used in cleaning operations shall be carried out 

pursuant to SCAQMD Rule 1171 – Solvent Cleaning Operations.

(e) Prohibition of Possession, Specification and Sale

(1) No For the purpose of this rule, no person that applies automotive coatings 

subject to this rule shall posses possess any automotive coating that is not 

in compliance with requirements of paragraph (d)(1), unless one or more 

of the following conditions apply:

(A) The automotive coating is located for use at a facility that utilizes 

an approved emission control device pursuant to subparagraph 

(d)(43)(A), and the coating meets the limits specified in permit 

conditions.

(B) The automotive coating is located for use at a facility that operates 

in compliance with an approved Alternative Emissions Control 

Plan pursuant to subparagraph (d)(43)(B), and the automotive 

coating is specified in the plan.

(C) The automotive coating is located for use at a training center and 

the automotive coating is used for educational purposes, provided 

that the VOC emissions from automotive coatings not meeting the 

VOC limits of paragraph (d)(1) do not exceed twelve (12) pounds 

per day.

(D) The automotive topcoat coating is located for use at a prototype 

motor vehicle manufacturing facility and the automotive coating is 

supplied by an assembly-line motor vehicle manufacturer 

specifically for use in the refinishing of a prototype motor vehicle, 

provided that the VOC emissions from all automotive coatings not 

meeting the VOC limits of paragraph (d)(1) do not exceed twentyone (21) pounds per day and 930 pounds in any one calendar year.

(2) No For the purpose of this rule, no person shall solicit from, specify, or 

require any other person to use in the District any automotive coating 

which, when applied as supplied or thinned or reduced according to the 

manufacturer's recommendation for application, does not meet the:

(A) applicable Applicable VOC limits required by paragraph (d)(1) for 

the specific application unless:

--11--1151 - 11
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

(i) The automotive coating is located at a facility that utilizes 

an approved emission control device pursuant to 

subparagraph (d)(43)(A), and the automotive coating meets 

the limits specified in permit conditions; or,

(ii) The automotive coating is coating is located at a facility 

that operates in compliance with an approved Alternative 

Emissions Control Plan pursuant to subparagraph 

(d)(43)(B), and the automotive coating is specified in the 

plan; or

(iiiii) the The automotive coating is specifically exempt pursuant 

to subdivision (ij) of this rule.

(B) the The requirements of paragraphs (d)(54) and (d)(65).

(3) No For the purpose of this rule, no person shall offer for sale, sell, supply, 

sell, offer for sale, market, blend, package, repackage or distribute for use 

in the District any automotive coating for use within the District subject to 

the provisions in this rule which, when applied as supplied or thinned or 

reduced according to the manufacturer's recommendation for application, 

does not meet the:

(A) Applicable VOC limits required by paragraph (d)(1) for the 

specific application, unless:

(i) The automotive coating is located for use at a facility that 

utilizes an approved emission control device pursuant to 

subparagraph (d)(43)(A), and the coating meets the limits 

specified in permit conditions; or,

(ii) The automotive coating is specifically exempt under 

subdivision (ij) of this rule; or,

(iii) The automotive coating is coating is located for use at a 

facility that operates in compliance accordance with an 

approved Alternative Emissions Control Plan pursuant to 

subparagraph (d)(43)(B), and the automotive coating is 

specified in the plan; and,

(iv) The person that offers for supplies, sells, offers for sale, 

markets, blends, packages, repackages sale or distributes 

the automotive coating keeps the following records for at 

least five years and makes them available to the Executive 

Officer upon request:

--12--1151 - 12
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

(I) Automotive coating Coating name and 

manufacturer;

(II) Application method as recommended;

(III) Automotive coating Coating category and mix ratio 

specific to the automotive coating;

(IV) VOC content of the automotive coating;

(V) Documentation such as manufacturer specification 

sheets, material safety data sheets, technical data 

sheets, or any other air quality data sheets that 

demonstrate that the material is intended for use as 

a an automotive coating;

(VI) Current manufacturer specification sheets, material 

safety data sheets, technical data sheets, or air 

quality data sheets, which list the VOC content of 

each ready-to-spray automotive coating (based on 

the manufacturer’s stated mix ratio) and automotive 

coating components and VOC content of each 

solvent; and

(VII) Purchase records identifying the automotive coating 

category, name, and volume of automotive coatings; 

and.

(VIII) The In addition, for sale to an end-user, the name 

and address of the person purchasing receiving the 

automotive coating, a statement of the basisan 

acknowledgement warranting that the sale to an 

end-user purchase will comply with this paragraph, 

including if use is for outside the District, and 

acknowledgement by the purchaser that this 

statement is correct.

(B) or does not meet the The requirements of paragraphs (d)(54) and 

(d)(65).

(4) No For the purpose of this rule, no person shall solicit from, specify, 

require, offer for sale to, sell to, or distribute to any other person for use in 

the District any automotive coating application equipment which does not 

meet the requirements of subparagraph (d)(76)(A).

--13--1151 - 13
Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

(5) No For the purpose of this rule, no person shall offer for sale, sell, supply, 

market, offer for sale or distribute an HVLP spray gun for use within the 

SCAQMD unless the person offering for sale, selling, marketing or 

distributing the HVLP spray gun for use within the SCAQMD provides 

accurate information to the spray gun recipient on the maximum inlet air 

pressure to the spray gun which would result in a maximum air pressure of 

10 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) air pressure measured dynamically 

at the center of the air cap and at the air horns based on the manufacturer’s 

published technical material on the design of the spray application 

equipment and by a demonstration of the operation of the spray 

application equipment using an air pressure tip gauge from the 

manufacturer of the gun. The information shall either be permanently 

marked on the gun, or provided on the company's letterhead or in the form 

of technical literature which clearly identifies the spray gun manufacturer, 

the salespersonseller, or the distributor.

(6) The For the purpose of this rule, the requirements of paragraphs (e)(1), 

(e)(2), (e)(3) or (e)(4) shall apply to all written or oral agreements 

executed and entered into under the terms of which an automotive coating 

or an automotive coating application equipment shall be used at any 

location within the District.

(f) Recordkeeping Requirements

(1) Recordkeeping for VOC Emissions

Records of automotive coating usage shall be maintained pursuant to 

SCAQMD Rule 109 – Recordkeeping for Volatile Organic Compound 

Emissions, and shall at a minimum include the following information:

(A) Material name and manufacturer;

(B) Application method;

(C) Automotive coating Coating category and mix ratio specific to the 

coating;

(D) VOC actualActual VOC and regulatory VOC, for the automotive 

coating;

(E) Documentation such as manufacturer specification sheets, material 

safety data sheets, technical data sheets, or any other air quality 

data sheets that indicate the material is intended for use as aan

automotive coating or solvent;

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Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

(F) Current manufacturer specification sheets, material safety data 

sheets, technical data sheets, or air quality data sheets, which list 

the VOC actual VOC for coatings and VOC regulatory VOC, for 

coatings of each ready-to-spray automotive coating (based on the 

manufacturer’s stated mix ratio), and automotive coating 

components, and the VOC content of for each solvent; and,

(G) Purchase records identifying the automotive coating category, 

name, and the total volume of all coatings and solvents used.

(2) Recordkeeping Requirements for Emission Control System

Any person using an emission control system shall maintain daily records 

of key system operating parameters which will demonstrate continuous 

operation and compliance of the emission control system during periods of 

VOC emission producing activities. “Key system operating parameters” 

are those parameters necessary to ensure or document compliance with 

subparagraph (d)(3)(A), including, but not limited to, temperatures, 

pressure drops, and air flow rates.

(g) Administrative Requirements for Automotive Coating Manufacturers

(1) Compliance Statement Requirement

For each individual automotive coating, automotive coating component, 

and ready to spray mixture (based on the manufacturers stated mix ratio), 

the manufacturer shall include the following information on a product data 

sheet, or an equivalent medium:

(A) The actual VOC and regulatory VOC for automotive coatings (in 

grams per liter);

(B) The weight percentage of volatiles, water, and exempt compounds; 

and,

(C) The density of the material (in grams per liter).

(2) Labeling Requirements

(A) The manufacturer of automobile automotive coatings or 

automotive coating components, including hardeners, with the 

exception of solvents such as reducers and thinners, shall include 

on all containers the applicable use automotive coating 

categorycategory(ies), and the VOC actual VOC and regulatory

VOC for content, coatings, as supplied (in grams of VOC per liter

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Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

of material) and in grams of VOC per liter of material, less water 

and exempt compounds).

(B) The manufacturer of solvents, including reducers and thinners,

subject to this rule shall include on all containers the actual VOC 

content for solvents, as supplied (in grams of VOC per liter of 

material).

(h) Test Methods

(1) Methods of Analysis

For the purpose of this rule, the following test methods shall be used: 

(A) VOC Content of Automotive Coatings

(i) United States Environmental Protection Agency ("U.S. 

EPA") Reference Test Method 24, (Determination of 

Volatile Matter Content, Water Content, Volume Solids 

and Weight Solids of Surface Coatings, Code of Federal 

Regulations, Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 60, 

Appendix A). The exempt compounds’ content shall be 

determined by South Coast Air Quality Management 

District (SCAQMD) Laboratory Test Method 303 

(Determination of Exempt Compounds) contained in the 

SCAQMD "Laboratory Method of Analysis for 

Enforcement Samples" manual; or SCAQMD Method 304 

[Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in 

Various Materials] contained in the SCAQMD "Laboratory 

Method of Analysis for Enforcement Samples" manual.

(ii) SCAQMD Method 304 [Determination of Volatile Organic 

Compounds (VOCs) in Various Materials] contained in the 

SCAQMD "Laboratory Method of Analysis for 

Enforcement Samples" manual.

(B) Exempt Perfluorocarbon Compounds

The following classes of compounds: cyclic, branched, or linear, 

completely fluorinated alkanes; cyclic, branched, or linear, 

completely fluorinated ethers with no unsaturations; cyclic,

branched, or linear, completely fluorinated tertiary amines with no 

unsaturations; and sulfur-containing perfluorocarbons with no 

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Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

unsaturations and with sulfur bonds only to carbon and fluorine, 

The following classes of compounds: 

cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated alkanes;

cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated ethers with

no unsaturations; 

cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated tertiary

amines with no unsaturations; and

sulfur-containing perfluorocarbons with no unsaturations and

with sulfur bonds only to carbon and fluorine, 

shall be analyzed as exempt compounds for compliance with 

paragraph (d)(1), only at such time as manufacturers specify which 

individual compounds are used in the formulation of the

automotive coatings and identify the test methods, which have 

been approved by the U.S. EPA, CARB and the District SCAQMD 

prior to such analysis, that can be used to quantify the amounts of 

each exempt compound.

(C) Determination of Iridescent Particles in Metallic/Iridescent 

Coatings

The metal and silicon content of metallic/iridescent coatings shall 

be determined by SCAQMD Method 311 (Determination of 

Percent Metal in Metallic Coatings by Spectrographic Method) 

contained in the SCAQMD "Laboratory Method of Analysis for 

Enforcement Samples" manual.

(D) Acid Content in Pretreatment Automotive Coatings

The acid content of pretreatment automotive coatings shall be 

determined by ASTM Test Method D1613-06 (2012) (Acidity in 

Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, 

Varnish, Lacquer, and related products).

(E) Reflectance of Anti-Glare Safety Automotive Coatings

The reflectance of anti-glare safety automotive coatings shall be 

measured determined by ASTM Test Method D-523-08 (Specular 

Gloss).

(F) Transfer Efficiency

The transfer efficiency of alternative automotive coating 

application methods, as defined by clause (d)(76)(A)(iiiv), shall be 

determined in accordance with the SCAQMD method "Spray 

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Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

Equipment Transfer Efficiency Test Procedure for Equipment 

User, May 24, 1989," and SCAQMD “Guidelines for 

Demonstrating Equivalency With District Approved Transfer 

Efficiency Spray Gun September 26, 2002.”

(G) Equivalent Test Methods

Other test methods determined to be equivalent after review by the 

staffs of the Districtby the Executive Officer, CARB, and the U.S. 

EPA, and approved in writing by the District Executive Officer 

may also be used for methods of analysis.

(2) Determination of Efficiency of Emission Control Systems

(A) The efficiency of the collection device of an emission control 

system as specified in subparagraph (d)(43)(A) shall be determined 

by the methods specified in clauses (h)(2)(A)(i), (h)(2)(A)(ii), or 

(h)(2)(A)(iii).below:

(i) U.S. EPA method cited in 55 Federal Register (FR) 26865, 

June 29, 1990; or

(ii) SCAQMD's "Protocol for Determination of Volatile 

Organic Compounds (VOC) Capture Efficiency"; or

(iii) any Any other method approved by the United States 

Environmental Protection AgencyU.S. EPA, the California 

Air Resources BoardCARB, and the District Executive 

Officer. 

(B) The efficiency of the control device of an emission control system 

as specified in subparagraph (d)(43)(A) and the VOC content in 

the control device exhaust gases, measured and calculated as 

carbon, shall be determined by USEPA Test Methods 25, 25A, or 

SCAQMD Method 25.1 (Determination of Total Gaseous NonMethane Organic Emissions as Carbon) as applicable. U.S. EPA 

Test Method 18, or CARB Method 422 shall be used to determine 

emissions of exempt compounds.

(3) Multiple Test Methods

When more than one test method or set of test methods are specified for 

any testing, a violation of any requirement of this rule documentation 

established by any one of the specified test methods or set of test methods 

shall constitute a violation of the rule.

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Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

(i) Rule 442 Applicability

Any automotive coating, automotive coating operation or facility which is exempt 

pursuant to subdivision (j) from all or a portion of the VOC limits of subdivision 

(d) shall comply with the provisions of Rule 442 – Usage of Solvents.

(i)(j) Exemptions

(1) This rule shall not apply to:

(A) Any automotive coating applied to motor vehicles or mobile 

equipment, or their associated parts and components, during 

manufacture on an assembly line that areis subject to Rule 1115 -

Motor Vehicle Assembly Line Coating Operations.;

(B) Any automotive coating that is expressly offered for sale, sold, or 

manufactured for use outside of the District or that is for shipment 

to other manufacturers for reformulation or repackaging;

(C) Any aerosol coating product; and

(D) Any automotive coating that is sold, supplied, sold, or offered for 

sale, marketed, manufactured, blended, packaged or repackaged 

for use in the District in 0.5 fluid ounces or smaller containers.

(2) The requirements of paragraph (d)(1) shall not apply to automotive 

coatings applied for educational purposes at automotive coating training 

centers, which are owned and operated by automotive coating 

manufacturers, provided that the VOC emissions emitted at a automotive 

coating training center from automotive coatings not complying with 

paragraph (d)(1) doesdo not exceed twelve (12) pounds per day.

(3) The requirements of paragraph (d)(1) shall not apply to automotive

coatings supplied by an assembly-line motor vehicle manufacturer for use 

by a prototype motor vehicle manufacturing facility in the finishing of a 

prototype motor vehicle, provided that the VOC emissions at the prototype 

motor vehicle manufacturing facility from such topcoats doesdo not 

exceed 21 pounds in a calendar day and 930 pounds in a calendar year.

(4) Color and clear coatings that are manufactured prior to the effective date 

of July 1, 2008, that have a VOC content above the limit specified in 

Table A of paragraph (d)(1), but not above the applicable limit on the date 

of manufacture may be possessed, sold, supplied, offered for sale, or 

applied up to December 31, 2008.

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Rule 1151 - Appendix A (Cont.) (Effective July 1, 2008Amended September 5, 2014)

(4) The requirements of subparagraph (d)(6)(A) shall not apply to automotive 

graphic arts operations, truck bed liner coatings, or underbody coatings.

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