01/09 Rule 74.18: 1

VENTURA COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT

RULE 74.18 - MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOBILE EQUIPMENT COATING 

OPERATIONS

(Adopted 1/28/92, Revised 12/13/94, 9/10/96, 11/11/08)

A. Applicability and Purpose

The provisions of this rule apply to any person who manufactures, distributes, supplies, sells, 

offers for sale, applies or solicits the use of, automotive coatings for motor vehicles, mobile 

equipment, and their parts or components. The purpose of this rule is to limit reactive organic 

compound (ROC) emissions from coatings and solvents used in production, repair, refinish, or 

maintenance operations where motor vehicles, mobile equipment, and associated parts and 

components are coated.

B. Requirements

1. No person shall coat any vehicles, mobile equipment, or their associated parts and 

components, using any coating with a Reactive Organic Compound (ROC) content in 

excess of the following limits:

Limits

Grams of ROC per Liter of Coating, As Applied, Less Water

and Exempt Organic Compounds

Coating Category Effective

November 11,

 2008

Effective

January 1

2009

Effective

January 1, 

2010

Adhesion Promoter 840 540

Clear Coating 250

Color Coating 760 420

Multi-Color Coating 840 680

Pretreatment Coating 780 660

Primer 250

Primer Sealer 340 250

Single-Stage Coating

 Nonmetallic/Noniridescent

420 340

Single Stage Metallic/Iridescent 

Coating

520 340

Temporary Protective Coating 420 60

Truck Bed Liner Coating 840 310

Underbody Coating 840 430

Uniform Finish Coating 840 540
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Water-Reducible Electrophoretic 

Brake Component Coating

440

Any other coating type (default) 840 250

2. Most Restrictive ROC Limit. If anywhere 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, any representation is made that indicates that the coating 

meets the definition of or is recommended for use for more than one of the coating 

categories listed in Subsection B.1, then the lowest ROC content limit shall apply.

3. Alternative Compliance (Add-on Control Equipment Option):

A person may comply with the provisions of Subsection B.1 (coating limits) by using an 

emission control system provided that:

a. The combined control and capture efficiency shall reduce total organic 

compound (TOC) emissions from an emission collection system by at least 85 

percent, by weight, and

b. Written approval in the form of an Authority to Construct and a Permit to 

Operate for such equipment is received from the Air Pollution Control Officer 

(APCO).

c. Any approved emission control system shall be maintained and used at all times 

in proper working condition.

4. Coating Application Methods (Transfer Efficiency): No person shall apply any coating 

to any motor vehicle or mobile equipment or their associated parts and components 

unless one of the following methods is properly used:

a. Hand application methods including, but not limited to: brush, dip or roller

b. Electrophoretic dip coating

c. Electrostatic application, operated at a minimum of 60 KV

d. High-Volume, Low-Pressure (HVLP) spray equipment: If a spray gun is used, 

the end user shall demonstrate that the spray gun meets the definition of HVLP 

in design and use. A satisfactory demonstration shall be based on the 

manufacturer’s published technical material on the design of the gun and by a 

demonstration of the operation of the spray gun using an air pressure tip gauge 

from the spray gun manufacturer.

e. Alternative Application Method: Any other alternative method that achieves a 

transfer efficiency equivalent to, or higher than, one of the application methods
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listed in Subsections B.4.a, B.4.b, B.4.c, or B.4.d. Written approval of the 

APCO shall be obtained for each alternative method prior to use.

5. Prohibition of Specification: No person shall solicit or require for use or specify the 

application of any automotive coating or cleaning solvent on any motor vehicle, mobile 

equipment, or their associated parts or components if such use or application results in a 

violation of the provisions of this Rule. The prohibition of this Subsection shall apply to 

all written or oral contracts, including, but not limited to job orders, under the terms of 

which any coating or solvent which is subject to the provisions of this Rule is to be 

applied to any motor vehicle, mobile equipment, or their associated parts and 

components at any physical location within the District.

6. Prohibition of Sale:

a. Except as provided in Subsections B.6.b and B.6.c, no person shall 

manufacture, blend, repackage for sale, supply, offer for sale or sell, or 

distribute within the District, any coating that is regulated by Subsection B.1, of 

this Rule if the application of such product is prohibited, at the time of sale.

b. The prohibition in Subsection B.6.a shall apply to the sale of any coating that 

will be applied at any physical location within the District and shall not apply to 

any coating shipped outside of the District for use outside of the District, sold in 

the District for use outside the District, or manufactured in the District for use 

outside the District.

c. The prohibition in Subsection B.6.a shall not apply to the sale of coatings where 

the emissions to the atmosphere from the application of those coatings are 

controlled by an APCD-approved emission control system that meets the 

requirements of Subsection B.3.

d. Any person claiming an exemption from the sales prohibition as allowed by 

Subsection B.6.b or B.6.c shall keep a detailed log of each automotive coating 

and component manufactured, blended, repackaged for sale, supplied, sold, 

offered for sale, or distributed that lists:

1). The quantity manufactured, blended, repackaged for sale, or 

distributed, including size and number of containers;

2) The VOC regulatory and VOC actual for coatings;

3) To whom they were supplied, sold, offered for sale, or distributed, or 

for whom they were manufactured, blended, or repackaged for sale 

including the name, address, phone number, retail license number, and 

valid district permit number
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4) Identification of which exemption is being utilized.

7. Compliance Statement Requirements: 

a. For each individual automotive coating or coating component, the manufacturer 

and repackager shall include the following information on product data sheets or 

an equivalent medium:

1). The VOC actual for coatings and VOC regulatory for coatings, 

expressed in grams per liter;

2). The weight percentage of volatiles, water, and exempt compounds;

3). The volume percentage of water and exempt compounds; and

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

b. For each individual ready to spray mixture (based on the manufacturer’s and 

repackager’s stated mix ratio), the manufacturer and repackager shall include 

the following information on product data sheets, or an equivalent medium:

1) The VOC actual for coatings and VOC regulatory for coatings, 

expressed in grams per liter;

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

3) The volume percentage of water and exempt compounds; and

4) The density of the material (in grams per liter)

c. The manufacturer and repackager of a cleaning solvent subject to this rule shall 

include the VOC content, as supplied, expressed in grams per liter, on product 

data sheets, product labels, or an equivalent medium.

8. Surface Preparation and Cleaning Operations: The requirements of this subsection 

shall apply to any person using organic solvent for surface preparation and cleaning 

operations.

a. UntilJanuary 1, 2010, no person shall use organic solvent for cleaning 

operations, unless,

1) An enclosed gun washer or "low emission spray gun cleaner" that has 

been approved in writing by the APCO is properly used for spray 

equipment cleaning, and 

2) The ROC composite partial pressure of organic solvent used for 

cleanup, including spray equipment cleaning, is less than 45 mm Hg at a 

temperature of 20oC . 

b. Until January 1, 2010, no person shall use ROC-containing materials which 

have an ROC content exceeding 200 grams per liter of material for substrate 

surface preparation prior to coating.
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c. Effective January 1, 2010, no person shall use a solvent for any cleaning 

operation that has an ROC content exceeding 25 grams per liter of material.

9. Storage of ROC-Containing Materials: All automotive coating components, automotive 

coatings and solvents including all ROC-containing materials shall be stored in closed 

vapor-tight, non-leaking, nonabsorbent containers, except while adding or removing 

them from containers.

10. Prohibition of Possession:

a. Coatings: No person shall possess at any automotive refinishing facility, 

any automotive coating that is not in compliance with Subsection B.1 (unless 

Alternative Compliance is used pursuant to Subsection B.3), or any aerosol 

coating that is not in compliance with CARB regulations.

b. Solvents: Effective January 1, 2010, no person shall possess at any 

automotive refinishing facility, any solvent designated by labels or technical data 

sheets as applicable for automotive cleaning operations that has an ROC 

content exceeding 25 grams per liter of material, excluding:

1) Paint strippers or paint removers having labels or technical data sheets 

indicating the primary purpose of the product is to remove cured 

coatings.

2) Surface preparation cleaning solvents listed in an approved Low Usage 

Exempt Surface Prep Cleaner Compliance Plan and identified by a 

unique label, tag or sticker that is described in the Compliance Plan.

11. Air Toxic Control Measure for Coatings Containing Hexavalent Chromium or 

Cadmium: No person shall apply any coatings to any motor vehicle, mobile equipment, 

or their parts or components, if that coating contains hexavalent chromium or cadmium.

12. Spray Booth and Prep Stations: No person shall apply any coating to any motor 

vehicle, mobile equipment, or their parts or components, unless that application is 

performed within a properly maintained and operated stationary Spray Booth or 

properly maintained and operated Prep Station.

13. Labeling Requirements: All letters or numbers on product labels designating VOC or 

ROC content shall be visible and legible.

a. The manufacturer or repackager of automotive coatings shall include the 

applicable use category(ies), and the VOC actual for coatings and VOC 

regulatory for coatings, as supplied, expressed in grams per liter on all coating 

containers. Alternatively, the coating manufacturer may include other container 
01/09 Rule 74.18: 6

label information that enables the determination of compliance with the ROC 

content limits in Subsection B.1., use of which has been approved in writing by 

the APCO.

b. The manufacturer and repackager of solvents subject to this rule shall include on 

all containers the VOC content for solvents, as supplied, expressed in grams

per liter. 

14. OSHA Standards for Spray Finishing Using Flammable and Combustible Materials: 

No person shall operate an automotive coating operation unless all provisions of 

California OSHA standards are met including, but not limited to CCR Title 8, Division 

1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 7, Group 20 (Flammable Liquids), Article 137 (Spray 

Coating Operations).

These standards are referenced because of the flammability hazard posed by acetonebased cleaners, which may be used to comply with provisions of this rule. In no event 

shall the APCD be liable to any person or business using these cleaners.

C. Exemptions

1. Any motor vehicle or mobile equipment coating operation which uses only hand-held, 

nonrefillable aerosol coating cans, 16 ounces or less (NET WT), shall be exempt from 

this rule.

2. This rule does not apply to any aerosol coatings that are in compliance with regulations 

and requirements adopted by the California Air Resources Board (California Code of

Regulation, Title 17, Subchapter 8.5, Section 94522).

3. This rule shall not apply to any automotive coating that is sold, supplied, or offered for 

sale in 0.5 fluid ounce or smaller containers intended to be used by the general public to 

repair tiny surface imperfections.

4. With prior written approval of the APCO, the requirements of Subsection B.12, Spray 

Booths and Prep Stations, shall not apply to the coating of motor vehicle(s) which due 

to shape or size, cannot reasonably be contained in any available substitute spray booth. 

A person wishing to qualify for this exemption must comply with the following 

requirements:

a. A written petition must be submitted to the APCO stating the motor vehicle(s) 

to be coated, the size of the substitute spray booth available, the physical size of 

the motor vehicle(s) (i.e. length, width, and height), number of motor vehicle(s) 

to be coated, estimated volume of coating used, and the ROC content, , and 

lead content of each coating used.
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b. The coatings used shall not contain any lead with the exception of weld-thru 

primers.

c. If the APCO grants written approval, then such approval shall:

1) Be valid only for the coating operation and coatings specified in the 

petition,

2) Contain limits on coating volume,

3) and may contain a time limit not to exceed one year.

5. The requirements of Subsection B.12, Spray Booths and Prep Stations, shall not apply 

to the application of:

a. Any undercoat that does not contain lead, and is:

1) Limited to one major panel or

2) Applied to an interior part of a motor vehicle, where that part can only 

be coated while the motor vehicle is immobilized.

b. Any weld-thru primer.

c. Any coating that does not contain lead and is applied to a motor vehicle engine 

compartment or a mating assembly of engine and suspension components.

6. The requirements of B.4 (Transfer Efficiency), and B.12 (Spray Booths) shall not apply 

to mobile automotive touch-up coating operations provided that:

a. Application is done using either a paint brush or an air brush with a cup that 

holds no more than 4 ounces of paint, and

b. Coatings applied contain no lead . 

7. The requirements of B.12 (Spray Booths) shall not apply to touch-up coating of 

vehicles, mobile equipment, or their associated parts or components using a paint brush 

or roller. 

8. This rule shall not apply to a “Clean Air Solvent,” which has been certified in writing by 

the South Coast AQMD, and which is defined in SCAQMD Rule 102.

9. This rule shall not apply to the possession or use of any non-aerosol glass cleaner as 

long as the cleaner is used solely for cleaning glass and is identified as a glass cleaner on 

its applicator. Only those cleaners identified by the manufacturer on container labels, 
01/09 Rule 74.18: 8

sales, and technical literature as formulated for the cleaning of glass shall qualify for this 

exemption.

10. This rule shall not apply to any agricultural sources of air pollution, which means a 

source of air pollution or a group of sources used in the production of crops, or the 

raising of fowl or animals located on contiguous property under common ownership or 

control.

11. Color coatings manufactured prior to January 1, 2009, which have an ROC content 

greater than 420 grams per liter but less than 760 grams per liter, may be possessed, 

sold, supplied, offered for sale, or applied until July 1, 2009.

12. The solvent cleaning ROC content requirement in Subsection B.8.c. shall not apply to 

any person using a surface preparation cleaner, predesignated as exempt in an 

approved compliance plan, which is used to remove dust, grease, wax, or any other 

contaminant from a surface prior to sanding provided all the following requirements have 

been met:

a. Prior written approval of the APCO has been obtained on a Low-Usage 

Exempt Surface Preparation Cleaner Compliance Plan that has all of the 

following information:

1) List of all exempt surface preparation cleaners to be used including 

Name of Product, Product Number, Product Manufacturer and 

Container Sizes.

2) Description of label or sticker to be placed on each container, which 

designates it as a low-use exempt surface preparation cleaner. All such 

labeled cleaners shall be listed in the plan inventory to qualify for exempt 

status.

3) The MSDS or Product Data Sheet for each exempt surface preparation

cleaner that provides VOC information that can be used to calculate 

pounds of VOC per container. An aerosol cleaner shall be assumed to 

be 100 percent by weight VOC unless it contains an exempt VOC as 

defined by VCAPCD Rule 2, Exempt Organic Compounds.

4). Name of Vendor for each exempt surface preparation cleaner.

b. Total usage of all exempt surface preparation cleaners shall be limited so that

total VOC emissions do not exceed 130 pounds per calendar year per 

stationary source based solely on purchase records for that year with no 

emission credit for any waste solvent generation.

c. The VOC content of non-aerosol cleaners shall not exceed 6.51 pounds of 

VOC per gallon.
01/09 Rule 74.18: 9

d. Wipe cleaning solvents shall be dispensed so that containers are closed except 

when dispensing solvent or replenishing solvent supply.

13. The provisions of Subsection B.13, Labeling Requirements, shall not apply to any 

coating manufactured prior to July 1, 2008, provided that the relevant date of 

manufacture or date code information is submitted to APCD upon request by district 

personnel.

D. Recordkeeping Requirements

1. Any person subject to this rule shall:

a. Maintain and have available at all times, on site, and make available to District 

personnel upon request, a current list of in-house coatings and cleaning solvents 

that provides all of the data necessary to evaluate compliance, including the 

following information for each coating and cleaning solvent, as applicable:

1) Material name, product ID and product manufacturer.

2) Mix ratio of components used specific to each coating.

3) ROC content of coating as applied (less water and less exempt organic 

compounds), and ROC content for each cleaning solvent.

4) Coating category from Subsection B.1 that corresponds with each 

coating used, and whether a material is a coating or cleaning solvent.

5) Whether or not a coating contains any lead, if that coating is applied 

outside of a spray booth or prep station.

6) VOC Regulatory of each coating used, as documented by a current 

manufacturer’s data sheet.

7) VOC Actual of each cleaning solvent used, as documented by a current 

manufacturer’s data sheet.

b. Maintain monthly purchase records showing all coatings and cleaning solvents 

purchased for that month, available upon request by APCD personnel, that 

have the following information:

1) For each coating, the coating category from Subsection B.1;

2) Product manufacturer and product number; and

3) Volume of product purchased including container size and quantity of 

containers purchased.
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c. Maintain monthly records or manifests of the amount cleaning solvent recycled

or disposed of. All hazardous waste must be disposed of in a manner that 

complies with all local, state, and federal regulations.

2. Any person using an emission control system pursuant to Subsection B.3 as a means of 

complying with this rule shall maintain daily records of key system operating and 

maintenance procedures which will demonstrate continuous operation and compliance 

of the emission control device during periods of TOC emission producing activities. 

Key system operating parameters are those necessary to ensure compliance with 

subsection B.3 including, but not limited to, temperatures, pressure drops, and air flow 

rates. 

3. All records shall be retained for a minimum of two years from the date of each entry and 

shall be made available to District personnel upon request.

E. Test Methods

The following test methods are incorporated by reference herein, and shall be used to test 

emission sources subject to the provisions of this rule. A source is in violation of this rule if any 

measurement by any of the listed applicable test methods exceeds any standard of this rule.

1. ROC Content of Coatings or Solvents: Coating ROC content shall be determined using 

EPA Method 24 (40 CFR Part 60 Appendix A, “Determination of Volatile Matter 

Content, Water Content, Density, Volume Solids, and Weight Solids of Surface 

Coatings”). Compliance with the prohibition of sale (Subsection B.6) shall be 

determined by measuring the ROC content of each and every component of a coating 

or coating system which has been reduced using the manufacturer's recommended type 

and maximum amount of reducer.

2. Exempt Organic Compound Content of Coatings: The exempt organic compound 

content of coatings or solvents shall be determined using ASTM Method D6133-02, 

Standard Test Method for Acetone, p-Chlorobenzotrifluoride, Methyl Acetate, or tButyl Acetate Content of Solventborne and Waterborne Paints, Coatings, Resins, and 

Raw Materials by Direct Injection into a Chromatograph. Exempt organic compound 

content, other than as determined above, shall be determined by using CARB Method 

432, “Determination of Dichloromethane and 1,1,1-Trichloroethane in Paints and 

Coatings” (September 12, 1998); CARB Method 422, “Determination of Volatile 

Organic Compounds in Emissions from Stationary Sources” (January 22, 1987); or 

South Coast AQMD Method 303-91, “Determination of Exempt Compounds” 

(February 1993). 

3. The measurement of acid content of pretreatment coatings shall be done in accordance 

with ASTM Method D 1613-03 , Standard Test Method for Acidity in Volatile 
01/09 Rule 74.18: 11

Solvents, and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related 

Products. 

4. The measurement of the metal and silicon content of metallic/iridescent coatings shall be 

determined by Method 311 (Determination of Percent Metal in Metallic Coatings by 

Spectrographic Method) of the SCAQMD "Laboratory Method of Analysis for 

Enforcement Samples."

5. The presence of hexavalent chromium in a coating shall be determined using ASTM 

Method D 3718-85a.

6. The presence of lead or cadmium in a coating shall be determined using ASTM Method 

D 3335-85a.

7. Control and Capture Efficiency: The capture and control efficiency of emission control 

systems shall be determined as specified in U.S. EPA’s “Guidelines for Determining 

Capture Efficiency,” (January 9, 1995) and 40 CFR 51, Appendix M, Methods 204-

204f as applicable. Total organic emissions of emission control systems shall be 

determined using EPA Method 25 or 25A. A source is in violation if the measured 

overall TOC capture and control efficiency of the emission control system is less than 

85 percent.

8. Transfer Efficiency: Spray equipment transfer efficiency shall be determined by using 

South Coast AQMD’s “Spray Equipment Transfer Efficiency Test Procedure for 

Equipment User,” (May 24, 1989).

9. HVLP Equivalency: Spray Equipment HVLP equivalency shall be determined by using 

South Coast AQMD’s “Guidelines for Demonstrating Equivalency with District 

Approved Transfer Efficient Spray Guns”(September 26, 2002). 

10. Alternative Test Methods: The use of other test methods may be used in place of test 

methods specified in this rule if they are determined to be equivalent or better and 

approved, in writing, by the Air Pollution Control Officer, CARB and U.S. EPA.

F. Violations 

Failure to comply with any provision of this rule shall constitute a violation of this rule. 

G. Definitions:

1. "Adhesion Promoter": Any coating, which is labeled and formulated to be applied to 

uncoated plastic surfaces to facilitate bonding of subsequent coatings, and on which a 

subsequent coating is applied.
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2. “Aerosol Coating Product”: Any 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.

3. “Associated Parts and Components”: Structures, devices, pieces, modules, sections, 

assemblies, subassemblies, or elements of motor vehicles or mobile equipment which 

may or may not be attached to motor vehicles or mobile equipment at the time of 

coating the structure, device, piece, module, section, assembly, subassembly, or 

element. Associated parts and components do not include circuit boards.

4. “Automotive Coating”: Any coating or coating component used or recommended for 

use in motor vehicle or mobile equipment coating, 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 refinishing.

5. “Automotive Coating Component”: 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 end users for use in an automotive coating, or which is supplied 

for or used in an automotive coating. The raw materials used to produce the 

components are not considered automotive coating components.

6. “CARB”: The abbreviation for the California Air Resources Board.

7. “Cleaning Operations”: The removal of uncured adhesives, inks or coatings, or 

contaminants, including but not limited to, dirt, soil, or grease, from motor vehicles, 

mobile equipment, associated parts and components, parts, products, tools, machinery, 

equipment, or general work areas. Cleaning operations include, but are not limited to, 

substrate surface preparation and spray gun cleaning and exclude janitorial cleaning.

8. “Clear Coating”: Any coating that contains no color-producing pigments and is labeled 

and formulated for application over a color or clear coating.

9. "Coating": A material which is applied to a surface and forms a solid film in order to 

beautify, preserve, repair, or protect such a surface.

10. “Color Coating”: Any pigmented coating, excluding adhesion promoters, primers, and 

multi-color coatings, that requires a subsequent clear coating and which is applied over 

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

metallic/iridescent color coatings.
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11. “Cured Coating, Cured Ink, or Cured Adhesive”: is a coating, ink, or adhesive, which 

is dry to the touch.

12. "Electrophoretic Dip": A coating application method where the coating is applied by 

dipping the component into a coating bath and an electrical potential difference exists 

between the component and the bath.

13. "Electrostatic Spray Application": Any method of spray application of coatings where 

an electrostatic attraction is created between the part to be coated and the paint 

particles.

14. “Emission Control System”: Any combination of capture systems and control devices 

used to reduce Total Organic Compound (TOC) emissions from automotive coating 

operations.

15. “EPA”: The abbreviation for the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

16. "Exempt Organic Compounds": As defined in Rule 2 of these Rules, except that tertbutyl acetate shall be considered an exempt organic compound when determining 

compliance with this Rule.

17. "Grams of ROC per Liter of Coating Less Water and Exempt Organic 

Compounds"(VOC Regulatory): The weight of ROC per combined volume of ROC 

and coating solids and can be calculated by the following equation:

Grams of ROC per Liter Ws- Ww - Wes

 of Coating Less Water = _____________

 and Less Exempt Organic Compounds Vm - Vw - Ves

Where: Ws = Weight of volatile compounds (grams)

Ww = Weight of water (grams)

Wes = Weight of exempt organic compounds (grams)

Vm = Volume of material (liters)

Vw = Volume of water (liters)

Ves = Volume of exempt organic compounds (liters)

18. "Grams of ROC per Liter of Material"(VOC Actual): The weight of ROC per volume 

of material and can be calculated by the following equation:

Grams of ROC per Liter Ws- Ww - Wes

 of Material = _____________

Vm
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Where: Ws = Weight of volatile compounds (grams)

Ww = Weight of water (grams)

Wes = Weight of exempt organic compounds (grams)

Vm = Volume of material (liters)

19. "High-Volume, Low-Pressure Application (HVLP)": Equipment used to apply 

coatings by means of a spray gun designed to be operated and operated between 0.1 

and 10 psig air pressure measured dynamically at the center of the air cap and at the air 

horns.

20. "Immobilized": A vehicle is immobilized or incapable of being moved, only when an 

engine or wheel has been removed so that the engine or wheel compartments can be 

coated.

21. "Interior Motor Vehicle Part": Any interior part of the motor vehicle, including but not 

limited to the engine, engine compartment, wheel well, suspension component or 

passenger compartment, that is not a "major panel" or exterior motor vehicle panel.

22. “Janitorial Cleaning”: The cleaning of building or facility components including, but not 

limited to, floors, ceilings, walls, windows, doors, stairs, bathrooms, furnishings, and 

exterior of office equipment, and excludes the cleaning of work areas, where 

manufacturing, coating, or repair activity is performed.

23. "Major Panel": Any exterior motor vehicle panel including but not limited to the roof, 

hood, doors, quarter panel, fender, bumper, soft bumper cover, deck lid, luggage lid, 

rear body panel, cowl top panel, rocker panel, and front header panel.

24. "Metallic/Iridescent Topcoat": Any topcoat which contains more than 5 g/l (.042 lb/gal) 

of iridescent particles, composed of metal as metallic particles or silicon as mica 

particles, as applied, where such particles are visible in the dried film.

25. “Mobile Automotive Coating Touch-Up Operations:” A portable automotive coating 

operation that is limited to small repair jobs where application of coatings may only be 

performed with a paint brush or an air brush with a cup that holds no more than 4 

ounces of paint.

26. "Mobile Equipment": Any equipment which may be drawn or is capable of being driven 

on rails or a roadway, including, but not limited to, trains, railcars, truck bodies, truck 

trailers, camper shells, mobile cranes, forklifts, bulldozers, tractors, concrete mixers, 

street cleaners, golf carts, all terrain vehicles, implements of husbandry. and hauling 

equipment used inside and around airports, docks, depots, and industrial and 

commercial plants, utility bodies, or implements of husbandry or agriculture.
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27. "Motor Vehicle": A vehicle which is self-propelled vehicle, including but not limited to, 

cars, trucks, buses, golf carts, vans, motorcycles, tanks, or armored personnel carriers..

28. “Multi-Color Coating”: Any 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.

29. "Prep Station": Any spraying area that meets the requirements for a "Limited Spraying 

Area" from Section 45.207 of the Uniform Fire Code and that prevents the escape to 

the atmosphere of overspray particulate using properly maintained filters and positive 

mechanical ventilation.

30. "Pretreatment Coating": Any coating which contains a minimum of 0.5% acid, by 

weight, and not more than 16% solids by weight, and is necessary to provide surface 

etching and is labeled and formulated for application directly to bare metal surfaces to 

provide corrosion resistance and adhesion.

31. "Primer": Any coating, which is 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.

32. "Primer Sealer": Any coating, which is labeled and formulated for application prior to 

the application of a color coating for the purpose of color uniformity, or to promote 

the ability of an undercoat to resist penetration by the color coating.

33. "Reactive Organic Compound (ROC)": As defined in Rule 2 of these rules. The term 

"volatile organic compound" (VOC) is equivalent to ROC.

34. "Reducer": Any volatile liquid used to reduce the viscosity of the coating. This liquid 

may be solvents, diluents or mixtures of both.

35. “Single-Stage Coating”: Any pigmented coating, excluding primers and multi-color 

coatings, labeled and formulated for application, without a subsequent clear coat. 

Single-stage coatings include both single-stage metallic/iridescent coatings and singlestage nonmetallic or non-iridescent coatings.

36. “Solvent”: An ROC-containing material used to perform cleaning operations.

37. “Spot Repair”: The repair of an area on a motor vehicle, piece of mobile equipment, or 

associated parts or components of less than 1 square foot.
01/09 Rule 74.18: 16

38. "Spray Booth": Any power ventilated structure of varying dimensions and construction 

provided to enclose or accommodate a spraying operation and which meets the 

Uniform Fire Code. A spray booth shall confine and limit, by dry or wet filtration, the 

escape to the atmosphere of overspray particulate matter.

39. “Temporary Protective Coating”: Any coating which is labeled and formulated for the 

purpose of temporarily protecting areas from overspray or mechanical damage.

40. "Transfer Efficiency": The ratio of the weight of coating solids which adhere to the 

object being coated to the weight amount of coating solids used in the application 

process, expressed as a percentage.

41. “Truck Bed Liner Coating”: Any coating, excluding clear, color, mult-color, and single 

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

surface abrasion.

42. “Underbody Coating” Any coating labeled and formulated for the 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.

43. “Uniform Finish Coating”: Any coating 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.

44. “VOC”: The term “volatile organic compound” or VOC is equivalent to ROC.

45. “VOC Actual for Coatings”: This means the same as “Grams of ROC per Liter of 

Material,” which does not involve subtraction of water or exempt organic compounds 

as is performed in the VOC regulatory calculation.

46. “VOC Regulatory for Coatings”: This means the same as “Grams of ROC per Liter of 

Coating Less Water and Exempt Organic Compounds.” VOC and ROC have the 

same meaning.

47. “Water-Reducible Electrophoretic Brake Component Coating”: Any coating that is 

applied to vehicle brakes or brake components via an electrophoretic dip coating 

process in an aqueous solution.

48. "Weld-Thru Primer": Any primer applied from an aerosol can, 16 ounces or less, to 

bare steel prior to welding that steel area. The purpose of the weld-thru primer is to 

inhibit corrosion in the weld area.