spray booth ideas?

[Longroof79]

I've been thinking about ideas for a makeshift spray booth. I'd like to hear about some of your ideas, and what you used to construct it with. I have thought of using the garage itself, but there's a bunch of stuff that would need to be cleared out.
I thought of building one outside possibly using PVC pipe, fittings...and plastic sheeting, or visquine.
I'm open to some proven ideas and suggestions.

 

[DRIVEN]

Is this just a one time deal or do you plan to do several paint jobs in the future? Mine falls somewhere between a box fan in the window and an actual booth. I can post up the particulars if you're interested.

 

[Fastmax32168]

I use my garage but dont move everything out of it, I just push it up against the edges leaving a clear spot in the middle. I have hooks screwed into the ceiling and I go to home depot and get a roll of 10 ft wide plastic. I hang it from the hooks around the car leaving about 3 feet on each side and it guards all of the things around the outside from the paint, and the paint from the dust on all the things. 🙂 Put a big fan in the front where the plastic meets, hose the floor down before you start, and you are good to go.
Roy

 

[Longroof79]

Thanks guys.
For now it will be a "one shot deal", so it doesn't have to be a permanent structure. I am still kicking around the idea of using the garage. It's an open beam garage, no drywall ceiling, and cement block walls.

I have looked at the Shelter Logic carport/ garage systems. They aren't cheap, but I suppose it could also be used as a shelter for the car once it's done. I'm kind of on a tight budget, knowing that there's still a few larger purchases that need to made after the car is painted...windshield, carpet, weatherstripping, etc.etc.

 

[Longroof79]

Is this just a one time deal or do you plan to do several paint jobs in the future? Mine falls somewhere between a box fan in the window and an actual booth. I can post up the particulars if you're interested.

Thanks man. I'd be interested in listening to particulars. I don't know if there will be more cars that will be painted in the future, but one never knows. :wink:

 

[Longroof79]

I use my garage but dont move everything out of it, I just push it up against the edges leaving a clear spot in the middle. I have hooks screwed into the ceiling and I go to home depot and get a roll of 10 ft wide plastic. I hang it from the hooks around the car leaving about 3 feet on each side and it guards all of the things around the outside from the paint, and the paint from the dust on all the things. 🙂 Put a big fan in the front where the plastic meets, hose the floor down before you start, and you are good to go.
Roy

Roy,
The hook system sounds interesting. Is it sort of based on a shower curtain design? How do you have the hooks attached to the plastic, eyelids? I would also have to enclose the ceiling. Probably have to do a "drop down" type of structure to lower the ceiling, if you will. I'm figuring an 8' height should do it. But again, it can't be a permanent structure.

 

[DRIVEN]

Mine is inside my 24x48 pole barn. Booth dimensions are about 16x24. Rollup door at one end and man-door on the side.

High output lights on the sides and at a 45* angle at the top. Also at the front and rear.

There are replaceable filters around the door at the front to keep dirt out. Theses have only been replaced twice in the past 12 years.

There is a sheetmetal box at the back of the booth with exhaust filters. These basically knock the solids out of the air as it leaves the booth.

On the other side of the back wall is a 36"(?) exhaust fan with a huge electric motor. It pulls the air from the booth and sends it underground for about 50' and exits into a gully behind the shop. The weeds help hide it 😀 .

Inside, just off the compressor is 2 water traps. The first one catches almost everything.

Then the air goes through 2 dehumidifiers. Definitely overkill. One of each would be sufficient.

The plumbing goes to various branches in the shop but goes through an additional regulator mounted inside the booth to drop gun pressure. There is a regulated fitting on each side of the booth.

Obviously this is a compromise because a "real" booth would cost tens of thousands. It's also not really fitting for single use.

Really (assuming the prep work is done right), you only need a few things to get a decent paint job: Good lighting. Dry air for the gun. A dirt free environment. As Fastmax said, hosing down the floor makes a huge difference. We've also found that keeping the air moving reduces the dirt that might settle into the paint. A PVC frame and visquine should do a fine job for a single-shooter. If you can get clean air in the top and exhaust from down low it would mimic a down-draft booth that is pretty much the industry standard. My cross-flow design isn't optimal.

 

[Longroof79]

Wow!! You have quite an elaborate setup there. Not what I would call your typical "backyard operation". Thank you for sharing pics and specifics of your spray booth, and your suggestions on how to achieve a successful paint job.
Extra lighting is another plus.
I've never painted a car per se, other than painting a panel hear and there...and of course helping prepare and do bodywork on my own cars. I would also like to filter the exhaust air. I don't want to piss off my neighbors if I can help it.
However, I do feel compelled and motivated to paint my own car. If it comes out like sh*t, I don't have anyone to blame but myself. :lol:

 

[pontiacgp]

the one nice thing about the new guns and paint there is less paint in the air. I can't wait to see you car painted Jack. I bet it's going to look awesome.

 

[Fastmax32168]

I use my garage but dont move everything out of it, I just push it up against the edges leaving a clear spot in the middle. I have hooks screwed into the ceiling and I go to home depot and get a roll of 10 ft wide plastic. I hang it from the hooks around the car leaving about 3 feet on each side and it guards all of the things around the outside from the paint, and the paint from the dust on all the things. 🙂 Put a big fan in the front where the plastic meets, hose the floor down before you start, and you are good to go.
Roy

Roy,
The hook system sounds interesting. Is it sort of based on a shower curtain design? How do you have the hooks attached to the plastic, eyelids? I would also have to enclose the ceiling. Probably have to do a "drop down" type of structure to lower the ceiling, if you will. I'm figuring an 8' height should do it. But again, it can't be a permanent structure.

I would say it is based on a shower curtain design. I just double up the plastic and poke the hooks through. I only use it once and then throw it away because it gets overspray all over it. Its not that expensive that it is worth trying to reuse it.
Roy