COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD FOR PAINT OVERSPRAY REMOVAL

A composition and method for treating oversprayed paints in paint spray boot hs is provided. The method includes contacting the paint overspray with a wash water system comprising an agitated solution including a coagulant so as to collect the paint overspray in the agitated solution. The solution containin g the paint overspray is passed to an area relatively free of agitation so as to cause the solution to spontaneously phase separate into an organic phase containing paint overspray and an aqueous phase. The organic phase containin g the paint overspray, which contains the paint solids portion, that includes organic resins and, optionally, pigments, and, optionally, an organic solven ts portion, is separated from the aqueous phase. The wash water system for treating paint overspray in paint spray booths includes a coagulant in an amount effective in precipitating the paint solids and, optionally, organic solvents, from the system.