The paper discusses some of the volatile organic compound (VOC) prevention options for surface coating. Most small surface coating industries are considered to be stationary area sources. Although stationary area sources may account for as much as 50% of national VOC emissions, they are often not amenable to add-on controls because of cost and the difficulty in capturing emissions. Pollution prevention techniques, such as product substitutions, process modifications, alternative technologies, and improved housekeeping, are needed to reduce VOC emissions from coating operations, thereby aiding in attaining the ozone standard and in decreasing exposure to air toxics. Some currently used products which may be alternatives to traditional solvent-based coatings include powder, waterborne, radiation-curable, and high-solids coatings. Many coating facilities have also reduced VOC emissions by converting conventional spray, airless, or air-assisted airless equipment to electrostatic or high-volume low-pressure units. In addition, several existing technologies that combine the benefits of both process modifications and product substitutions are discussed.