(Adopted: 07/08/88; Amended: 05/05/89; Amended: 03/02/90; 

Amended: 06/28/90; Amended: 11/02/90; Amended: 12/07/90; 

Amended: 08/02/91; Amended: 09/06/91; Amended: 12/09/94; 

Amended: 03/08/96; Amended: 06/13/97; Amended: 07/20/99; 

Amended: 06/19/12) 

AVAQMD Rule 1151 1151-1 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

Rule 1151 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

(A) General 

(1) Purpose 

(a) The purpose of this rule is to reduce emissions of Volatile Organic 

Compounds (VOCs), from Coatings and solvents associated with the 

Refinishing of Motor Vehicles, Mobile Equipment and their Associated 

Parts and Components.

(2) Applicability 

(a) This rule is applicable to: 

(i) Any Person who uses, applies, or, solicits the use or application of 

any Automotive Coating or associated solvent within the District. 

(ii) Any Person who supplies, sells, offers for sale, manufactures, or 

distributes any Automotive Coating or associated solvent for use 

within the District. 

(b) This rule does not apply to: 

(i) Any Coating applied to Motor Vehicles or Mobile Equipment, or 

their Associated Parts and Components, during manufacture on an 

Assembly Line. 

(ii) Any Automotive Coating or associated solvent that is offered for 

sale, sold or manufactured for use outside of the District or for 

shipment to other manufacturers for reformulation or repackaging. 

(iii) Any Stencil Coating Product. 

(iv) Any Aerosol Coating Products that are in compliance with 

regulations and requirements adopted by the California Air 

Resources Board (CCR, Title 17, Subchapter 8.5, Section 94522). 

(v) Any Automotive Coating that is sold, supplied, or offered for sale 

in one-half (0.5) fluid ounce or smaller containers intended to be 

used by the general public to repair tiny surface imperfections. 
1151-2 AVAQMD Rule 1151 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

(B) Definitions 

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

(1) “Adhesion Promoter” - A 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. 

(2) “Aerosol Coating Product” - 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) “Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO)” - The person appointed by the Air 

Pollution Control Board and assigned full time to manage and direct the business 

and operations of the district. The Air Pollution Control Officer is also the 

District Director, and is that person described for State purposes as the Air 

Pollution Control Officer. 

(4) “Alternative Emission Control Plan” - A plan which allows a source to 

demonstrate an alternative method of rule compliance. 

(5) “Anti-Glare Safety Coating” - 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 60° gloss meter. 

(6) “Assembly Line” - 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.

(7) “Associated Parts and Components” - Structures, devices, pieces, modules, 

sections, assemblies, subassemblies, or elements of Motor Vehicles or Mobile 

Equipment that are designed to be part of Motor Vehicles or Mobile Equipment 

but which are not attached to Motor Vehicles or Mobile Equipment at the time of 

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

element. The Associated Parts and Components definition does not include 

circuit boards. 

(8) “ASTM” - American Society for Testing and Materials 

(9) “Automotive Coating” - Any coating or Automotive Coating Component, used or 

recommended for use, in Motor Vehicle or Mobile Equipment 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. 
AVAQMD Rule 1151 1151-3 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

(10) “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. 

(11) “Automotive Refinishing Facility” - 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 Facility does not include the original equipment manufacturing plant 

where the Motor Vehicle or Mobile Equipment is completely assembled. 

(12) “Bright Metal Trim Repair Coating” - A Coating applied directly to chromeplated metal surfaces for the purpose of appearance. 

(13) “Bus” - 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. 

(14) “CARB” - California Air Resources Board 

(15) “CFR” - Code of Federal Regulations 

(16) “Cleaning Operations” - 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. 

(17) “Clear Coating” - Any coating that contains no pigments and is labeled and 

formulated for application over a Color Coating or Clear Coating. 

(18) “Coating” - A material which is applied to a surface and which forms a film in 

order to beautify and/or protect such surface. 

(19) “Coating Categories” - The table below shows Coating Categories prior to the 

05/01/2013 compliance deadline, and the corresponding Coating Categories after 

the 05/01/2013 compliance deadline: 
1151-4 AVAQMD Rule 1151 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

Comparison of Coating Categories 

Coating Categories Prior to 05/01/2013 Coating Categories 05/01/13 and After 

Adhesion Promoter Adhesion Promoter 

Anti-glare Safety Coating Clear Coating, Color Coating, or SingleStage Coating 

Bright Metal Trim Repair Coating Any Other Coating Type 

Camouflage Color Coating 

Elastomeric Materials Primer, Color Coating, Clear Coating, 

Single-stage Coating, or Underbody 

Coating 

General Topcoat Single-Stage Coating 

Gloss Flatteners (aka Low-Gloss Coatings) Clear Coating 

Heat Resistant Primer, Color Coating, Clear Coating, or 

Single-stage Coating 

Impact Resistant Coating Single-Stage Coating, Clear Coating, 

Underbody Coating, or Truck Bed Liner 

Coating 

Jambing Clear Coating 

Metallic/Iridescent Topcoat Single-Stage Coating 

Multi-Color Coatings Multi-Color Coating 

Multi-Color Multi-Stage Multi-Color Coating 

Multi-Color Stage System Color Coating & Clear Coating 

Multi-Color Topcoat Multi-Color Coating 

Precoat Primer 

Pretreatment Wash Primer Pretreatment Coating 

Primer Primer 

Primer Sealer Primer Sealer 

Primer Surfacer Primer 

Rubberized Asphaltic Underbody Underbody Coating 

Single-Stage Metallic/Iridescent Coating Single-Stage Coating 

Single-Stage Nonmetallic/Noniridescent 

Topcoat 

Single-Stage Coating 

Solid Color Topcoat Single-Stage Coating 

Specialty Coatings This generic category has been 

eliminated an replaced with specific 

categories for the various coatings 

previous grouped together 

Temporary Protective Coating Temporary Protective Coating 

Topcoats Single-Stage Coating 
AVAQMD Rule 1151 1151-5 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

Uniform Finish Blenders Uniform Finish Coating 

Water Hold-Out Coating Primer 

Weld-Thru Coatings Primer 

(20) “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. 

(21) “Elastomeric Materials” - Coatings which are specifically formulated and applied 

over coated or uncoated flexible plastic substrates for the purpose of adhesion. 

(22) “Electrostatic Spray Application” - A method of applying Coatings whereby the 

atomized Coating droplets are charged and subsequently deposited on the 

substrate by electrostatic attraction. 

(23) “Emission Control System” - Any combination of capture systems and control 

devices used to reduce VOC emissions from Automotive Coating operations. 

(24) “Exempt Compounds” - Those compounds listed in 40 CFR 51.100(s).

(25) “Finish” - The Coating of incomplete vehicles, their parts and components, or 

Mobile Equipment for which the original Coating was not applied from an 

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) plant Coating Assembly Line.

(26) “Grams of VOC per Liter of Coating Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds 

(VOC Content)” - The weight of VOC per combined volume of VOC and Coating 

solids and shall be calculated by the following equation: 

 

M W ES

S W ES

VOC LoC V V V

W W W G  

  / 

Where: 

GVOC/LoC = Grams VOC/L of Coating Less Water and Exempt 

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 

VW = volume of water in liters 

VES = volume of Exempt Compounds in liters 
1151-6 AVAQMD Rule 1151 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

(27) “Grams of VOC per Liter of Material” - The weight of VOC per volume of 

material as calculated by the following equation: 

M

S W ES

VOC LoM V

W W W G   / 

 Where: 

GVOC/LoM = Grams VOC/L of Material 

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 

(28) “Group II Exempt Compounds” - Compounds that are restricted because they are 

either toxic, potentially toxic, upper-atmosphere ozone depleters, or cause other 

environmental impacts. These compounds are listed as follows: 

 methylene chloride (dichloromethane) 

 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) 

 Trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) 

 dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12) 

 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113) 

 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (CFC-114) 

 chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115) 

 cyclic, branched, or linear, completely methylated siloxanes 

 tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) 

(29) “High-Volume, Low-Pressure (HVLP) Spray” - Equipment Permanently Labeled 

as such 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. 

(30) “Impact Resistant Coating” - Any Coating applied to a rocker panel for the 

purpose of chip resistance to road debris. 

(31) “Metallic/Iridescent Color Coating” - Any Coating which contains iridescent 

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

particles, in excess of five (5) grams per liter (0.042 pounds per gallon) as 

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

(32) “Mobile Equipment” - Any device which may be drawn or is capable of being 

driven on a Roadway or rails, including but not limited to, trains, railcars, truck 

bodies, truck trailers, utility bodies, camper shells, mobile cranes, bulldozers, 

street cleaners, and implements of husbandry or agriculture. 
AVAQMD Rule 1151 1151-7 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

(33) “Motor Vehicle” - a vehicle which is self-propelled, including, but not limited to 

cars, trucks, Buses, golf carts, vans, Motorcycles, tanks, and armored personnel 

carriers. 

(34) “Motorcycle” - 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 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. 

(35) “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. 

(36) “Multi-Colored Multistage Topcoat System” - A Basecoat/Clearcoat Topcoat 

System in which the basecoat portion is a Multi-Colored Topcoat. 

(37) “Multi-Colored Topcoat” - a Coating which exhibits more than one color when 

applied, and which is packaged in a single container and applied in a single coat. 

(38) “Multistage Topcoat System” - Any Basecoat/Clearcoat Topcoat System or any 

Three-Stage Topcoat System, manufactured as a system, and used as specified by 

the manufacturer. 

(39) “Passenger Car” - any Motor Vehicle designed primarily for transportation of 

persons and having a design capacity of 12 persons or less. 

(40) “Person” - Shall have the same meaning as defined in the California Health and 

Safety Code §39047.

(41) “Permanently Labeled” - Permanent labeling is in the form of an engraving or a 

plate permanently attached to the equipment. 

(42) “Pretreatment Coating” - A Coating which contains no more than sixteen (16) 

percent solids, by weight, and at least one-half (0.5) 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.

(43) “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. 

(44) “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 
1151-8 AVAQMD Rule 1151 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

to promote the ability of an underlying Coating to resist penetration by the Color 

Coating. 

(45) “Primer Surfacer” - A Coating applied for the purpose of corrosion resistance or 

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

imperfections. 

(46) “Reducer” - Any volatile liquid used to reduce the viscosity of the Coating, but 

not used for Cleaning Operations. This liquid may be solvents, diluents, or both, 

and may also be referred to as a thinner. 

(47) “Refinishing” - Any Coating of Motor Vehicles, their Associated Parts and 

Components, or Mobile Equipment, including partial body collision repairs, for 

the purpose of protection or beautification and which is subsequent to the original 

Coating applied at an Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) plant Coating 

Assembly Line.

(48) “Roadway” - A way or place used for purposes of vehicular travel. 

(49) “Rocker Panel” - The panel area of a Motor Vehicle which is no more than ten 

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

(50) “Rubberized Asphaltic Underbody Coating” - A Coating applied to wheel wells, 

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

underside of the Motor Vehicle itself, for the purpose of sound deadening or 

protection. 

(51) “Single-Stage Coating” – Any pigmented coating, excluding Primers and MultiColor coatings, labeled and formulated for application without a subsequent clear 

coat. Single-stage coatings include single-stage metallic/iridescent Coatings. 

(52) “Solvent Cleaning Operations” - 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. 

(53) “Specialty Coating” - 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. 

(54) “Spot Repair” - Repair of an area on a motor vehicle, piece or mobile equipment, 

or associated parts or components of less than an entire panel. 
AVAQMD Rule 1151 1151-9 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

(56) “Stencil Coating” - 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. 

(57) “Targeted HAP Compounds”- The Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) compounds of 

chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), or cadmium (Cd) 

targeted by 40 CFR 63 Subpart HHHHHH – National Emission Standards for 

Hazardous Air Pollutants: Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating 

Operations at Area Sources.

(58) “Temporary Protective Coatings” - Any Coating which is labeled and formulated 

for the purpose of temporarily protecting areas form overspray or mechanical 

damage. 

(59) “Topcoat” – Any Coating applied over a Primer, Primer System or an original 

OEM Finish for the purpose of appearance, identification, or protection.

(60) “Transfer Efficiency” - 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. 

(61) “Truck” - A Motor Vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the 

transportation of property. 

(a) “Large-Sized Truck” - A Truck having a manufacturer's gross vehicle 

weight rating of more than 8600 pounds. 

(b) “Medium-Sized Truck” - A Truck having a manufacturer's gross vehicle 

weight of 6001 to 8600 pounds. 

(c) “Small-Sized Truck” - 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. 

(62) “Truck Bed Liner Coating” - Any Coating, excluding Clear, Color, Multi-color, 

and Single-stage Coatings, labeled and formulated for application to a truck bed 

to protect it from surface abrasion. 

(63) “Underbody Coating” - Any Coating 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.

(64) “Uniform Finish Blenders” - Any Coating labeled and formulated for application 

to the area around a Spot Repairs for the purpose of blending a repaired area’s 

color or clear coat to match the appearance of an adjacent area’s existing Coating. 
1151-10 AVAQMD Rule 1151 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

On and after 05/01/13 this Coating Category will be referred to as Uniform Finish 

Coating. 

(65) “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. 

Prior to 05/01/13 this Coating Category may be referred to as Uniform Finish 

Blenders. 

(66) “Van” - a closed Truck for carrying property or persons. 

(a) “Medium-Sized Van” - A Van having a manufacturer's gross vehicle 

weight rating of 6001 to 8600 pounds. 

(b) “Small-Sized Van” - 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. 

(67) “Vehicle” - a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, 

or drawn upon a Roadway, excepting a device moved exclusively by human 

power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. 

(68) “VOC Actual” - This definition is the same as the definition of Grams of VOC 

per Liter of Material as listed under subsection (B)(27).

(69) “VOC Regulatory” - This definition is the same as the definition of Grams of 

VOC per Liter of Coating Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds as listed 

under subsection (B)(26).

(70) “Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)” - Any volatile compound containing the 

element carbon, excluding methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic 

acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, ammonium carbonate, and Exempt 

Compounds. 

(71) “Water Hold-Out Coating” - A Coating applied to the interior cavity areas of 

doors, quarter-panels and rocker panels for the purpose of corrosion resistance to 

prolonged water exposure. 

(72) “Weld-Thru Coating” - A Coating applied to metal immediately prior to welding 

to provide corrosion resistance. 
AVAQMD Rule 1151 1151-11 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

(C) Requirements 

(1) VOC Content of Coatings 

(a) Effective on the dates specified, a person shall not apply 

Coating to a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Equipment, or 

Associated Parts or Components, that has a VOC content in 

excess of the limits contained in Table 1 and Table 2 of this 

subsection except as provided in Section (C)(3)(a) or (b).

Table 1 - Coating Categories and VOC Limits

 

VOC Regulatory Limit, as applied, in grams 

per Liter (pounds per gallon) 

Coating Categories Effective on and after 05/01/13 

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) 

Primer Sealer 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 Finish Coating 540 (4.5) 

Any Other Coating Type 250 (2.1) 
1151-12 AVAQMD Rule 1151 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

Table 2 - Coating Categories and VOC Limits 

 

VOC Regulatory Limit, as applied, 

 in grams per Liter (pounds per gallon)

Coating Categories Group 1* Vehicles prior to 

05/01/13 

Group 2** vehicles prior 

to 05/01/13 

Pretreatment Wash Primer 780 (6.5) 780 (6.5) 

Primer/Primer Surfacer/ Primer 

Sealer 250 (2.1) 250 (2.1) 

Primer Sealer 250 (2.1) 340 (2.8) 

Topcoat 

 General 340 (2.8) 420 (3.5) 

 Metallic/Iridescent 340 (2.8) 420 (3.5) 

 Multi-Colored 680 (5.7) 680 (5.7) 

 Multistage 340 (2.8) 420 (3.5) 

Specialty Coatings 840 (7.0) 840 (7.0) 

*Group 1 Vehicles are public transit buses and mobile equipment including but not limited to: truck bodies, truck 

trailers, utility bodies, camper shells, mobile cranes, bulldozers, street cleaners, golf carts, and implements of 

husbandry, where color match is not required. 

**Group 2 Vehicles are passenger cars; large/heavy duty truck cabs and chassis with a manufacturer's gross vehicle 

weight over 10,000 pounds; light and medium duty trucks and vans having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight 

rating of 10,000 pounds or less; and motorcycles; and Group 1 Vehicles where color match is required. 

(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 Motor 

Vehicle, Mobile Equipment, or Associated Parts or Components (please, 

refer to subsection (B)(26) for the calculation of VOC Content). 

(2) Most Restrictive VOC Limit 

(a) 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, any representation is made that indicates that the Coating meets 

the definition of, or is recommended for use of, more than one of the 

Coating categories listed in subsection (C)(1)(a) and (b), then the lowest 

applicable VOC content limit in Table 1 and Table 2 shall apply.

(3) Alternative Compliance 

(a) Emission Control System 

 A person may comply with the provisions of section (C)(1) by using an 

approved Emission Control System consisting of collection and control 

devices, that is approved, in writing, by the APCO for reducing emissions 

of VOC. The APCO shall approve such Emission Control Systems only if 

the Emission Control System demonstrates a control efficiency of at least 
AVAQMD Rule 1151 1151-13 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

85 percent. 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:

 100

1

1

1 ,

,

,









































































































  

D

VOC

D

VOC

VOC

VOC

c

LWc

n Max

LWn Max

LWn Max

LWc CE

 

 Where: 

 CE = Control Efficiency, percent 

 VOCLWc = VOC Limit of Rule 1116, less water and less 

 Exempt Compounds, pursuant to Section C.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 = 880g/L. 

(b) Alternative Emission Control Plan 

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

means of an Alternative Emissions Control Plan, pursuant to Rule 108 – 

Alternative Emissions Control Plans. 

(4) Prohibited Compounds 

(a) 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 subsection (B)(28). 

(5) Carcinogenic Materials 

(a) A person shall not manufacture Automotive 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 as defined 

by the Air Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) for Emissions of Hexavalent 
1151-14 AVAQMD Rule 1151 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

Chromium and Cadmium from Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment 

Coatings, Title 17 CCR, section 93112. 

(6) Application Methods

(a) Except for Underbody Coatings, graphic arts operations, Truck Bed Liner 

Coatings, or any Coating use of less than one (1.0) fluid ounce (29.6 

milliliters), no person shall apply any Coating to Motor Vehicles or 

Mobile Equipment or their Associated Parts and Components unless by 

the use of one of the following methods:

(i) Brush, dip, or roller; or, 

(ii) Electrostatic Application equipment, operated in accordance with 

the manufacturer’s recommendations and in compliance with 

permit conditions; or, 

(iii) High-Volume, Low-Pressure (HVLP) Spray, operated in 

accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and in 

compliance with permit conditions; or, 

 a. No Person shall sell or offer for sale, for Automotive 

Refinishing use within the District, any HVLP spray gun without a 

permanent marking denoting the maximum inlet air pressure in 

pounds per square inch gauge (psig) at which the gun will operate 

within the parameters specified in Section (B)(29). 

 b. If an Automotive Refinishing gun is not Permanently 

Labeled, the operator must demonstrate that the gun meets the 

HVLP definition in Section (B)(29) in design and use. A 

satisfactory demonstration must be based on the manufacturer’s 

published technical material on the design of the gun and by a 

demonstration of the operation for the gun using an air pressure tip 

gauge designed specifically for the gun in use.

(iv) Any other Coating application which has been demonstrated to the 

satisfaction of the APCO to be capable of achieving a Transfer 

Efficiency equivalent to, or higher than, the application methods 

listed in subsections (C)(6)(a)(i) and (C)(6)(a)(ii) above, but not 

less than 65 percent, as per subsections (G)(2)(e) and (G)(2)(k),and 

for which written approval of the APCO has been obtained. 

(7) Surface Preparation and Cleaning Operations

(a) The requirements of this subsection shall apply to any Person using 

solvent for Surface Preparation and Cleaning Operations. 

(i) Any Person shall not use an organic compound(s), or mixture 

thereof, (excluding Exempt Compounds) for Surface Preparation 

and Cleaning Operations with a VOC content in excess of twentyfive (25) grams per liter (0.21 pounds per gallon) of material. 
AVAQMD Rule 1151 1151-15 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

 a. Cleaning with aerosol solvent products shall not be subject 

to the provisions of subsection (C)(7)(a) if 160 fluid ounces or less 

of aerosol solvent products are used per day, per facility. 

(ii) Any Person shall use closed, non-absorbent containers for the 

storage or disposal of any applicator (including brushes, swabs, 

cloth or paper) used for solvent Surface Preparation and Cleaning 

Operations. 

(iii) Any Person shall store all Automotive Coatings, Coating 

components, and fresh or spent solvent in vapor tight and closed 

containers, except while adding or removing them from the 

containers.

(iv) Any Person shall not use organic compounds for the Cleaning 

Operations of spray equipment including paint liners unless an 

enclosed system is used for Cleaning Operations. The system shall 

enclose spray guns, cups, nozzles, bowls, and other parts during 

washing, rinsing and draining procedures. Equipment used shall 

minimize the evaporation of organic compounds to the 

atmosphere. 

(b) Effective May 1, 2013, no Person shall possess at any Automotive 

Refinishing Facility, any solvent used for Surface Preparation and 

Cleaning Operations with a VOC content that does not comply with the 

requirements in subsection (C)(7)(a)(i).

(8) Prohibition of Possession, Specification and Sale 

(a) No Person subject to this rule shall posses any Automotive Coating that is 

not in compliance with the requirements of subsection (C)(1), unless one 

or more of the following conditions apply: 

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

Emission Control System pursuant to subsection (C)(3)(a), and the 

Coating meets the limits specified in permit conditions. 

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

with an approved Alternative Emissions Control Plan pursuant to 

subsection (C)(3)(b), and the Coating is specified in the plan. 

(iii) The Coating is located at a training center and the Coating is used 

for educational purposes, provided that the VOC emissions from 

Coatings not meeting VOC limits of section (C)(1) do not exceed 

twelve (12) pounds per day. 

(iv) The Coating is located at a prototype Motor Vehicle manufacturing 

facility and the Coating is supplied by an assembly-line Motor 

Vehicle manufacturer for use in the Refinishing of a prototype 

Motor Vehicle, provided that the VOC emissions from Coatings 

not meeting the VOC limits of section (C)(1) do not exceed 

twenty-one (21) pounds per day and 930 pounds in any one 

calendar year. 
1151-16 AVAQMD Rule 1151 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

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

District any Automotive Coating or solvent which, when applied as 

supplied or thinned or reduced according to the manufacturer’s 

recommendation for application, does not meet the: 

(i) Applicable VOC limits required by subsection (C)(1) for that 

specific application unless: 

a. The Coating is located at a Automotive Refinishing Facility 

that utilizes an approved Emission Control System pursuant 

to subsection (C)(3)(a), and the Coating meets the limits 

specified in permit conditions. 

b. The Coating is specifically exempt pursuant to section (D) 

of this rule.

(ii) Applicable VOC limits for solvent for Surface Preparation and 

Cleanup Operations pursuant to section (C)(7). 

(c) No Person shall manufacture, blend, supply, repackage for sale, offer for 

sale, sell, or distribute for 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: 

(i) Applicable VOC limits required by subsection (C)(1) for the 

specific application, unless: 

a. The Coating is located at an Automotive Refinishing 

Facility that utilizes an approved Emission Control System 

pursuant to subsection (C)(3)(a), and the Coating meets the 

limits specified in permit conditions. 

b. The Coating is specifically exempt under section (D) of this 

rule. 

c. The Person that offers for sale or distributes the Coating 

keeps the following records for at least five (5) years and 

makes them available to the APCO upon request, the 

following information: 

1. Coating name and manufacturer; 

2. Application method; 

3. Automotive Coating Category and mix ratio 

specific to the Coating; 

4. VOC content of Coating; 

5. Documentation that the material is a Coating; 

6. Current manufacturer specification sheets, material 

safety data sheets (MSDS), technical data sheets, or 

air quality data sheets, which list the VOC content 

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

manufacturer’s stated mix ratio), Automotive 

Coating Components, and VOC content of each 

solvent; 
AVAQMD Rule 1151 1151-17 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

7. Purchase records identifying the Automotive 

Coating category, name, and volume of Coatings; 

and, 

8. 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. 

(ii) Requirements of subsections (C)(4) and (C)(5). 

(d) No Person shall solicit from, require, offer for sale to, sell to, or distribute 

to any other Person for the use in the District any Automotive Coating 

application equipment that does not meet the requirements of subsection 

(C)(6).

(e) The requirements of subsections (C)(1), (C)(2), and (C)(3)shall apply to 

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

which an Automotive Coating or a Coating application equipment shall be 

used at any location within the District. 

(D) Exemptions 

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

(a) Any Coating applied to Motor Vehicle or Mobile Equipment, or their 

Associated Parts and Components, during manufacture on an Assembly 

Line. 

(b) Any Automotive Coating that is offered for sale, sold, or manufactured for 

use outside of the District or for shipment to other manufacturers for 

reformulation or repackaging.

(c) Any Stencil Coating Product. 

(d) Any Aerosol Coating Product. 

(e) Any Automotive Coating that is sold, supplied, or offered for sale in onehalf (0.5) fluid ounce or smaller containers. 

(2) The prohibitions specified in subsections (C)(8) shall not apply to persons 

offering for sale to, selling to, distributing to, or requiring other persons who are 

operating an approved Emission Control System under subsection (C)(3)(a), or 

complying under subsection (C)(3)(b), or operating pursuant to subsection (D)(3). 

(3) The requirements of subsection (C)(1)(a) 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 
1151-18 AVAQMD Rule 1151 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

training center from Coatings not complying with subsection (C)(1)(a) do not 

exceed twelve (12) pounds per day. 

(4) The requirements of subsection (C)(1) shall not apply to Coatings located at a 

prototype Motor Vehicle manufacturing facility and the Coating is supplied by an 

assembly-line Motor Vehicle manufacturer for use in the Refinishing of a 

prototype Motor Vehicle, provided that the VOC emissions from Coatings not 

meeting the VOC limits of section (C)(1) do not exceed twenty-one (21) pounds 

per day and 930 pounds in any one calendar. 

(5) Any facility or Person classified as exempt or claiming to be exempt under this 

section, (D), shall meet the record keeping requirements of this rule so as to be 

able to prove the exemption status.

(6) Rule 442 Applicability 

(a) Any Coating, Coating operation, or facility which is exempt from all or a 

portion of the VOC limits of this rule shall comply with the provisions of 

Rule 442 if applicable.

(E) Administrative Requirements

(1) Manufacturer’s Compliance Statement Requirement 

(a) For each individual Automotive Coating, Automotive Coating 

Component, ready-to-spray mixture (based on the manufacturers stated 

mix ratio), and solvents the manufacturer and/or repackager shall include 

the following information on a product data sheet, or an equivalent 

medium:

(i) The VOC Actual and the VOC Regulatory for Coatings (in grams 

per liter). 

(ii) The weight percentage of volatiles, water, and Exempt 

Compounds. 

(iii) The volume percentage of water and Exempt Compounds. 

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

(v) The weight percentage of all Targeted HAP Compounds. 

(b) For each solvent used in Solvent Cleaning Operations, the manufacturer 

and/or repackager shall include the following information on a product 

data sheet, or an equivalent medium: 

(i) The VOC Actual and the VOC Regulatory for Coatings (in grams 

per liter). 

(2) Manufacturer’s Labeling Requirements 
AVAQMD Rule 1151 1151-19 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

(a) The manufacturer and/or repackager of Automobile Coatings or 

Automotive Coating Components shall include, on all containers, the 

applicable use Coating Category(ies), and the VOC Actual and the VOC 

Regulatory for Coatings, as supplied (in grams per liter). 

(b) The manufacturer and/or repackager of solvents subject to this rule shall 

include on all containers the VOC content for solvents, as supplied (in 

grams per liter). 

(F) Record Keeping Requirements 

(1) All Persons subject to this rule and any Person claiming any exemption under 

sections (D)(1)(a) and (D)(1)(b) shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) Maintain and have available during an inspection, a current list of 

Automotive Coatings and solvents in use which provides all of the 

Coating data necessary to evaluate compliance, including the following 

information: 

(i) The name and manufacturer; 

(ii) The Coating Category type and the mix ratio of components used; 

(iii) The VOC Actual and the VOC Regulatory content of each 

 Automotive Coating as applied, or VOC content for solvent; 

(iii) The Targeted HAP Compounds content as applied in weight 

percentage; and, 

(v) The application method used. 

(b) Maintain records on a daily basis including: 

(i) Automotive Coating and mix ratio of components used in the 

Automotive Coating; 

(ii) Quantity of each Automotive Coating applied; 

(iii) Application method used to apply Automotive Coating; and, 

(iv) Any Person/facility utilizing an add-on Emission Control System 

as a means of complying with provisions of this rule shall also 

maintain records of key system operating and maintenance data for 

the purpose of demonstrating continuous compliance during 

periods of emission producing activities. The data shall be 

recorded in a manner as prescribed by the District.

(c) Maintain records on a monthly basis for Surface Preparation and Cleaning 

Operations including: 

(i) The name and manufacturer of the solvent used, including 

methylene chloride (MeCl). 

(i) The amount of each solvent and methylene chloride (MeCl) 

consumed for any use, in gallons. 
1151-20 AVAQMD Rule 1151 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

(ii) The weight percentage of each solvent and methylene chloride 

(MeCl) consumed for any use. 

(d) Such records shall be retained and available for inspection by the APCO 

for a minimum of five (5) years. 

(2) Any Person claiming any exemption under sections (D)(1)(c), (D)(1)(d), and 

(D)(1)(e) shall comply with the following requirements:

(b) Maintain records on a daily basis including: 

(i) Exempt product type (i.e. Stencil Coating, Aerosol Coating 

Product, half-fluid ounce Coating); 

(ii) The name and manufacturer of the exempted Coating type; and, 

(iii) The amount of the exempted Coating type. 

(G) Test Methods 

(1) A violation of the limits contained in this rule as determined by any one of these 

test methods shall constitute a violation of this rule. 

(2) The following specified test methods shall be used to determine compliance with 

the provisions of this rule.

(a) VOC Content of Coatings or Solvents 

(i) The VOC content of Coatings or solvents shall be determined as 

prescribed by United States Environmental Protection Agency 

Reference Method 24 (without correction for Exempt Compounds) 

as set forth in Appendix A of Title 40 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations (40 CFR) Part 60, “Determination of Volatile Matter 

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

Solids of Surface Coatings”. 

(b) Determination of Iridescent Particles/Metallic Content 

(i) The metal and silicon content of Metallic/Iridescent Color 

Coatings shall be determined by South Coast Air Quality 

Management District Method 318-95, “Determination of Weight 

Percent Elemental Metal in Coatings by X-ray” (July 1996). 

(c) Acid Content 

(i) The acid content shall be determined by ASTM Test Method 

D1613-96, “Standard Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents 

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

Related Products” (May 1996). 
AVAQMD Rule 1151 1151-21 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

(d) Reflectance of Anti-Glare Safety Coatings 

(i) The reflectance of Anti-Glare Safety Coatings shall be measured 

by ASTM Test Method C523-89 (1989).

(e) Transfer Efficiency 

(i) The transfer efficiency of alternative Coating application methods, 

as defined by subsection (C)(6)(a)(iii), shall be determined in 

accordance with the South Coast Air Quality Management District 

method "TE -Spray Equipment Transfer Efficiency Test Procedure 

for Equipment User, May 24, 1989." 

(f) Equivalent Test Methods 

(i) Other test methods determined to be equivalent after review by the 

staffs of the District, California Air Resources Board, and the 

United States Environmental Protection Agency, and approved in 

writing by the Air Pollution Control Officer may also be used for 

methods of analysis. 

(g) Determination of Efficiency of Emission Control Systems 

(i) Emissions of VOC for operations with Emission Control Systems 

shall be measured as prescribed by EPA Reference Method 25, 

25A, or 25B for determining VOC emissions and control device 

efficiency, in combination with the USEPA method, “Guidelines 

for Determining Capture Efficiency” (January 9, 1995) and 40 

CFR 51, Appendix M, Methods 204-204f as applicable for 

determination of capture efficiency. 

(h) Determination of Methyl Acetate, Acetone, and PCBTF Content 

(i) The quantity of methyl acetate , acetone, t-butyl acetate, and 

parachlorobenzotrifluoride shall be determined by using ASTM 

Method D6133-02: “Standard Test Method for Acetone, pChlorobenzotrifluoride, Methyl Acetate or t-Butyl Acetate Content 

of Solventborne and Waterborne Paints, Coatings, Resins, and 

Raw materials by Direct Injection Into a Gas Chromatograph” 

(February 2003). 

(i) Determination of Alternative Compliance 

(i) Alternative compliance shall be determined by USEPA Method 25, 

25A, or 25B, Title 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A as applicable. A 

source is in violation if the measured VOC emissions, as measured 

by any of the test methods, exceed the standards specified in 

Section (C)(1).
1151-22 AVAQMD Rule 1151 

Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations 

(j) Exempt Compound Content 

(i) Exempt compound content, other than as determined pursuant to 

section (G)(2)(3), shall be determined by using CARB Method 

432, “Determination of Dichloromethane and 1,1,1-

Trichloroethane in Paints and Coatings” (September 12, 1989); 

CARB Method 422, “Determination of Volatile Organic 

Compounds in Emissions from Stationary Sources” (September 12, 

1990); or, South Coast Air Quality Management District 

(SCAQMD) Method 303-91, “Determination of Exempt 

Compounds” (August 1996).

(k) HVLP Equivalency 

(i) Transfer Efficiency equivalent to HVLP shall be determined by 

procedures as prescribed in the South Coast Air Quality 

Management District (SCAQMD) document "Guidelines for 

Demonstrating Equivalency with District Approved Transfer 

Efficient Spray Guns” (September 26, 2002).

(l) Multiple Test Methods 

(i) 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. 

[See SIP Table at http://www.avaqmd.ca.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=921]