Paint shop and method of operating a paint shop

A paint shop, comprising

• at least one painting device incorporating at least one application unit for painting workpieces with a fluid paint and
• a device for separating fluid paint overspray from a stream of crude gas,
• wherein the device for separating fluid paint overspray from a stream of crude gas comprises at least one filter device for separating fluid paint overspray from a stream of crude gas which incorporates
• at least one filter element for separating the overspray from the stream of crude gas and
• at least one auxiliary material reservoir for accommodating an auxiliary material which is supplied to the stream of crude gas loaded with fluid paint overspray,
• wherein the auxiliary material reservoir is provided with a balance,
• wherein an effectiveness of the material contained in the auxiliary material reservoir is determined by a comparison of the weight or the mass of the material contained in the auxiliary material reservoir prior to a whirling-up phase, wherein material is whirled up from the auxiliary material reservoir, with the weight or the mass of the material contained in the auxiliary material reservoir after the whirling-up phase, and
• wherein the device for separating fluid paint overspray from a stream of crude gas comprises an auxiliary material feeding device for supplying fresh auxiliary material to the auxiliary material reservoir, the auxiliary material feeding device comprising a storage tank for storing fresh auxiliary material and a supply line opening out into the auxiliary material reservoir for conveying fresh auxiliary material from the storage tank to the auxiliary material reservoir.