[weirdbeard]

I am moving to a new building and I need to build a paint booth.
I am looking for any tips from fellas that have done this on the cheap like I am trying to do..

I am thinking I can basically build a stick framed tent and sheath it with clear plastic.

It will have some sort of up draft vent fan and a filtered intake.

My main concern is lighting. How important is having explosion proof lighting? That sounds like a silly question.
But explosion proof lights are very expensive.
I have sprayed around non explosion proof lights and fans for years with no problems, but I wanted to hear from you guys on this..

How dangerous is it really?

What kind of lights would be the most dangerous? Halogen? Florescent? Incandescent?

Thanks for any help.

[327NUT]

I've got a friend that built his own off of plans he found. It probably wasn't real cheap to build, he did stick build it but used 1/2" OSB inside and out that was grouted for sealing purposes. He's pretty meticulous about his stuff, flush mounted lights in the ceiling and side walls, painted it white inside for light reflection. I think it is about 12' X 25'

Now his is a downdraft system, he built a sealed 12" "crawlspace" with the floor and exhaust vents on top of that. He rigged up his exhaust fans at one end of the crawlspace and has fresh air filters in the opposite end door. Don't know what kind of lights he used, haven't seen it since it was finished. I do know that halogen lights get mighty hot, I would just stick to the 4' or 8' florescent.

[weirdbeard]

That sounds just like what I am trying to do.. 14'x20' and I am going to try and use that good plastic like on a green house instead of osb. I need to make sure it will hold up to lacquer thinner.

I guess if he has the lights flush mounted that might reduce the risk of "explosion" ?

[weirdbeard]

I wonder if my thread would have done better in the paint and body section?

[snorulz]

I think people just aren't excited about going over this topic again, it comes up rather often. I would say you picked the correct section. Try doing a search. I have never built one so I can't be of much help.

[Legacy]

Plans for a home made paint booth are available at

http://duplicolortv.com/wp-content/u...aint_booth.pdf

Doesn't fit your specs exactly but I thought it might be useful to you as a reference.

Legacy

[weirdbeard]

I searched around the site and did find some stuff, but nothing on lighting..

Thanks legacy. I will check that out.

[TubeTek]

I've run the ductwork off several commercial downflow booths in the past, and I've never seen any of them using explosion proof fixtures. They all mount the fixtures on the exterior of the booth space with "windows" for the light to shine thru.

I never really paid any attention to the window material itself, but I'd imagine its glass rather than some plastic like plexiglass since you'd need something that would stand up to cleaning with solvents from time to time.

[weirdbeard]

TubeTek thanks! That gives me something to think about.

I think I might just do that.. I can make wood frames for the glass and seal the plastic wall around the wood frame. The glass should clean up just fine.

Safe and cost effective.

[2ndchanceauto]

i use a 20x20 section of my shop with its own bay door. plastic on the walls and ceiling. i have several 8 ft flourecent lights and wet the floor. if mine hasn't blown up i think your okhttp://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/ve.../photos/675434 hope the link worked

[001mustang]

Positive pressure powered by eight 2200cfm (no load) box fans; seasonal sale for $5 each.
Air intake from modified soffit and above ceiling plenum.
Sticky fan filters from ebay.
Cheap over spray exhaust filters from ebay.
DIY positive pressure supplied air from used nebulizers.
Free 4' florescent from govt upgrade to new style florescent bulbs.
50' compressor sloped 1/2" copper pipe.
Not explosion proof but CFM moves overspray out pretty good.
Sometime hook two compressors up to 50' copper line.

[deadbodyman]

You need a spark, so even if you break a light while spraying a regluar floresent will work fine for you,
If anything happens at all it'll be a more of a "poof" and the doors might blow open not an explostion but I've never seen it happen even in the old days when some oldtimers (R.I.P.) smoked while painting.I guess its possible ,if you had an open flame (like a kero heaer) and no fan at all...I doubt you'd even lose your eyebrows
its more of a myth than......Hey ,that would be a good show for the myth busters ....."The Exploding Paintbooth"