Overspray refers to the application of any form of
paint
Paint is any pigmented liquid, liquefiable, or solid mastic composition that, after application to a substrate in a thin layer, converts to a solid film. It is most commonly used to protect, color, or provide texture. Paint can be made in man ...
,
varnish
Varnish is a clear transparent hard protective coating or film. It is not a stain. It usually has a yellowish shade from the manufacturing process and materials used, but it may also be pigmented as desired, and is sold commercially in vario ...
,
stain
A stain is a discoloration that can be clearly distinguished from the surface, material, or medium it is found upon. They are caused by the chemical or physical interaction of two dissimilar materials. Accidental staining may make materials app ...
or other non-water-soluble airborne particulate material onto an unintended location. This concept is most commonly encountered in
graffiti
Graffiti (plural; singular ''graffiti'' or ''graffito'', the latter rarely used except in archeology) is art that is written, painted or drawn on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from s ...
, auto detailing, and when commercial paint jobs drift onto unintended objects.
Auto detailing and drifting paint
Overspray is considered a negative occurrence in auto detailing when unwanted drifting paint gets on cars. There are companies that are solely dealing with overspray and offering additional protection to cars while painting. Many of them includes producers of special solvents, razor blades and rubbing compounds. The most common procedure to remove overspray is the use of a special clay bar. There are many manufacturers of such bars, including: Meguiars, 3M, Clay magic, Mothers. Estimated 200,000 cars get oversprayed per year in the United States alone.
Overspray prevention
Various measures are employed to prevent overspray from damaging property and emitting airborne toxins: applying paint with rollers versus
spray painting
Spray painting is a painting technique in which a device sprays coating material (paint, ink, varnish, etc.) through the air onto a surface. The most common types employ compressed gas—usually air—to atomize and direct the paint particles.
...
, dry fall coating, containment systems and the implementation of wind monitoring programs by painting contractors.
[Dean, Julie, (May 2011) “Preventing Overspray with a Wind Monitoring Plan” Journal of Protective Coatings & Linings]
References
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Painting techniques