Method for collecting wash water or other fluids applied to articles

A method for applying a fluid to an article at a site and collecting the used fluid, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a fluid application vehicle at said site, said vehicle having a fluid supply tank, a fluid applicator, a collection receptacle, and a containment pad, said containment pad having a substantially fluid impermeable bottom sheet and a containment wall sealingly connected to said bottom sheet, said wall and said bottom sheet together defining a containment area for containing used fluid, said wall and said bottom sheet being sufficiently flexible to facilitate said containment pad being collapsed for storage upon said vehicle;
• (b) deploying said containment pad from said vehicle;
• (c) applying said fluid to said article such that the used fluid is contained in said containment area;
• (d) removing said used fluid from said containment area with a removal means;
• and
• (e) transferring said used fluid with a conduit to said collection receptacle.

A method for collecting used fluid that has been applied to an article at a site, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a portable containment pad at said site, said containment pad having a bottom sheet and a wall that together define a containment area for containing used fluid, said bottom sheet and said wall being sufficiently flexible to facilitate said containment pad being collapsed for storage;
• (b) positioning an article upon said containment pad;
• (c) applying said fluid to said article so that the used fluid is substantially contained in said containment area;
• (d) removing said used fluid from said containment area with a removal means;
• and
• (e) transferring said used fluid from said removal means to a collection receptacle.