The cleaning occurs in a contained system, so solvent cannot escape to the air. The solvent is condensed and later can be recovered. Unfortunately, at this time few water-based paints provide viable alternatives in the autobody repair industry. A practical sealing method needs to be developed before the substitution can take place on a large scale. Water-based primers are available, however.
Wastes containing paints with lead, chromium, cadmium, or mercury are hazardous.
Using paints that do not contain these heavy metals may allow some wastes, such as paint booth filters, to be disposed of as non-hazardous waste. An in-line heater may be needed to raise the temperature of the paint, making the paint thin enough to be used in spray lines. Soft metals cannot handle sand blasting or glass bead blasting, but plastic bead blasting may fit your needs. High pressure air is used to propel the plastic beads against the paint surface, where they dislodge the paint. The beads and paint are recovered and separated.