Paint spray booth detackification method

Claim 1

A process for controlling pollution and contamination in paint, lacquer or enamel spray booths in which each wash water is used to wash air in the booth and to remove oversprayed paints, enamels or lacquers, the water being recirculated for further use in washing the air in the spray booths, which comprises adding to the water an effective amount for the purpose of a detackifying composition comprising a clay material and an effective amount of a polyacrylic acid polymer or water soluble salt form thereof, the amount being sufficient to reduce the tackiness of the paints, enamels and lacquers and to thereby reduce the tendency of over­sprayed paints, enamels and lacquers to adhere to pump parts, mist eliminators, or sump sidewalls of the spray booths, the composition being effective to condition paint, enamel and lacquer solids so as to facilitate removal of said solids from said water, the polyacrylic acid or water soluble salt form thereof being present in an amount of up to about 1 weight %, based upon the weight of the clay.