Materials, Consumables, and Waste Handling
Materials and consumables
Know categories: abrasives (paper, discs, belts), fillers (body filler, glazing putty), primers, paints (basecoat, clearcoat), reducers, hardeners, sealers, and adhesives. Understand shelf life and storage conditions - many products are temperature-sensitive and moisture-sensitive. Two-pack products have limited pot life once mixed.
Waste handling
Classify waste: hazardous (solvents, paint sludge, contaminated rags, used filters, empty containers with residue) versus non-hazardous (clean packaging, unused sandpaper). Hazardous waste requires labeled containers, proper storage, and licensed disposal. Never pour solvents down drains. Empty containers may still hold residue and are often regulated.
Traps and rule of thumb
Trap: assuming an "empty" paint can is non-hazardous - residue often makes it regulated. Trap: mixing waste streams, which complicates disposal. Trap: storing oxidizers near solvents. Rule of thumb: label, segregate, and store correctly - if unsure, treat as hazardous.