[Lizer]

As I plan to finally paint my Mustang this summer, I'd like to build a semi-permanent paint booth/paint area in my shop. I have a space already partially set up for it that's a good place to start. I'd really appreciate input from others who have done this as DIY, as well as you pro's with the good paint booths.

I'm looking for ideas and discussion ranging from everything to air handling, power, lighting, exhaust and ventilation, space, filtering, maintenance of cleanliness, etc. Seen lots of great tips in past threads about this topic, such as spraying adhesive on filters. Things like that are good to know. The point of this then isn't necessarily to re-hash info but more to custom tailor ideas to my specific space and really for me to share my ideas to see if they're any good or not. They will probably change as I hear better ideas.

Now a few images....the space is 13 feet wide, and 20-something feet long. Floor drain in the center. I am planning on finishing the ceiling by putting some painted sheeting up there, and will prob have to build a mock wall that goes to the right edge of the checkered walk, which means the air compressor will be in the booth. Any issues with this? Mainly concerned as to where I should locate my 220 outlet for the compressor. The white wall with black strips at the end is actually a sliding door. On the other side of the wall of the compressor is an enclosed lean-to shed.

Thanks in advance and looking forward to the discussion and insight!

[Lizer]

For ventilation, past threads have talked about it's best to have fans supplying fresh air (clean shop air?) and the paint air exiting through external filters but without fans. Would the air supply fans be best if they were mounted on the ceiling providing a down draft or in a side wall blowing across? To exhaust air, I'd probably crack the door the width of a filter, build a 2x4 frame and run filters all the way up.

For lighting I was wondering if 4 of those cheapie $10 4' fluorescent light fixtures you can get from Lowes on the ceiling are sufficient, or if I should have lights on the side walls too?

Also concerned about how I should run power to minimize explosion hazards.

[mitmaks]

As far as lights go with as many as you can afford, you can't have too much light when painting.

[milo]

Many folks get fisheyes in their paint from having a compressor in there casting off oil into the air..put it outside if at all possible

[Lizer]

Duly noted, both of you. These are the things that are really good to know! Thanks.

[gto_ron]

If you can't place the compressor outside or in another room, at least place it as far from the painting area as possible.

1. As Milo said, you don't want airborne oil droplets floating around.
2. The pressure switch contacts arc when turning on and especially off.
3. The compressor cooling pulley stirs up dust.

4. Lights on the walls are great, especially when trying to paint down along the rockers.
5. Have a dedicated compressed air outlet just for painting, no air tools. Get a good water separator and use all 3/8 ID hose and fittings.

I've made about every mistake possible so what I know, I learned the hard way.

The pros will have more and better ideas.

regards

ron

[nine4gmc]

in for info, I have a space about the same size that I would like to be able to paint in occasionally.

[swvalcon]

If you plan to insulate I would do that first.. Then either Sheetrock and tape ceiling or go paint tin.I sheet rocked mine and now wish I had went with the tin. May try to tape and paint my ceiling and do the walls with ceramic tile some day.Thought I had plenty of lights and still wish I had more. Made it a semi cross flow. Fan in front at filters pulling down from filters in ceiling at the rear. If anyway possible I would try to move the compressor. Not only because of the oil concerns which dosen't seem to be that big of a problem if compressor is in good shape. But when it comes on it does strange things to the air flow in the booth.I posted a picture of mine. It's just used to paint in and if I dont have anything a paint I will sometimes just park a car in it.

[Lizer]

Originally Posted by gto_ron

If you can't place the compressor outside or in another room, at least place it as far from the painting area as possible.

1. As Milo said, you don't want airborne oil droplets floating around.
2. The pressure switch contacts arc when turning on and especially off.
3. The compressor cooling pulley stirs up dust.

4. Lights on the walls are great, especially when trying to paint down along the rockers.
5. Have a dedicated compressed air outlet just for painting, no air tools. Get a good water separator and use all 3/8 ID hose and fittings.

I've made about every mistake possible so what I know, I learned the hard way.

The pros will have more and better ideas.

regards

ron

what exactly are you referring to by compressed air outlet? Hard plumbing? Hadn't considered that for the plan but may look into it to see how easily and economically I could work it in. The way my current set up is (and you can kind of see it in the picture) is a whip going to the regulator/filter, and then it goes down to my hose reel. I don't run oil through my lines for my air tools (I oil them at the tool) but I do run air tools off this as well.

[Lizer]

Originally Posted by swvalcon

If you plan to insulate I would do that first.. Then either Sheetrock and tape ceiling or go paint tin.I sheet rocked mine and now wish I had went with the tin. May try to tape and paint my ceiling and do the walls with ceramic tile some day.Thought I had plenty of lights and still wish I had more. Made it a semi cross flow. Fan in front at filters pulling down from filters in ceiling at the rear. If anyway possible I would try to move the compressor. Not only because of the oil concerns which dosen't seem to be that big of a problem if compressor is in good shape. But when it comes on it does strange things to the air flow in the booth.I posted a picture of mine. It's just used to paint in and if I dont have anything a paint I will sometimes just park a car in it.

It looks great so far!

A lot of comments about moving the air compressor. Right now the compressor is just sitting on the pallet (and that's how I've always left it) so it can easily be moved. It's a newer compressor--I've had it two years. I'm starting this thread now because I'm going to be running the power to the compressor and am debating on where I put the 220 outlet. The fact that I'll probably be moving my compressor when I paint will affect this decision.

I'm not ambitious enough for drywall, my current plan was to take some particle board, prime it and paint it, and put it up there? I want all the surfaces at least painted so I can hose it down to clean it. I should have prefaced this with we just bought the place and are putting money into it in lots of places (you know, those things called priorities ). Needless to say this ranks low on the priorities (or at least I have to make it seem like it does ) so likewise, I have to make it seem like I'm doing it as budget as possible!

Can you go into more detail on your flow? I'm a little confused.

[swvalcon]

Know all about that budget thing. Talked the wife into us taking a loan to build my shop and went way over budget. She was not a happy camper. I've got about $65,000 into it and its still not completely done. It's only 30x60 and I did all the inside work myself. As to the flow in my booth the intake filters are at the back of the booth in the ceiling. The white filter in the pictures. The outlet is at the floor in the very front. The green filters in the pictures. I have a 24" old binks paint booth fan mounted outside pulling air in and across the car and out. Iam still working on closing off the lights and sealing everything up. Not as nice as a bought paint booth but should do the job just fine when complete. I've included a shot of the fan.I'am going to try to get the exhust stack covered this summer with steel to match the building.I had to slow the fan down from where binks had it because it tryed to turn the building insideout.

[Rod and Custom]

Big Question. You said this is your shop area. Is it attached to living quarters (house)? If it is, you should use exhaust fans to remove the air from the spray area. If air is forced into the area, fumes will migrate to the rest of the structure.

[gto_ron]

I assumed you were plumbing in your compressed air outlets. I have my compressor in the opposite corner of my garage with 1/2" copper pipe around the top of my walls. I have 5 drops and the one in my painting corner is for painting only. My compressor is about 10 years old and passes a little oil when I run it hard. I have to have a water/oil separator to avoid fish-eyes.

I mentioned the 3/8 fittings because I was amazed how big a pressure drop you get with the HVLP guns.

We all have to fight the budget battle, especially those of us who are married,

regards

Ron

[Lizer]

Shop is not attached to the house. My wife's never understood why I couldn't just work on the car in an attached garage and it's this exact reason I tell her.

[Lizer]

Is it pretty critical if the lights are sealed, mainly for the sake of not blowing up or is it really one of those Chicken Little scenarios? The fluorescent lights I was originally considering getting are just your standard cheap open bulb shop light. Want to be smart but practical.