I am a hobbyist woodworker and am just starting to make some modifications to my shop. I am debating on whether or not to add a spray booth to my layout. I am interested in getting advice on this decision. I will likely be using a HVLP turbine system for spray application and water based finishes. Technique will have the biggest impact on quality of finish but is a booth a desirable addition for ease of work and safety. Any advice and guidance is appreciated.
Spray Booth selection
- Thread starter WoodSam
- Start date
wow said:
In these parts it's also a zoning violation in residential areas. But there's nothing wrong with some tarps and fans set up to mitigate dust in an area, which is useful even for hand finishing. Just don't call it a spray booth even if you happen to spray in it!
But on the practical side of the topic, woodsam, are you looking to keep the spray mist from floating around your shop or a more involved venting and filtration setup? Spray booths can get very complicated (and sizeable and expensive) depending on your objectives.
mastercabman
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If it's just a hobby just get a couple box fan and place them side by side behind your project
You can tape filters on the back of them of you want
You can tape filters on the back of them of you want
Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishing by Jeff Jewitt has some good info on a budget spray booth. Waterborne finishes will not require an explosion proof vent motor. Also the book Understanding Wood Finishes by Bob Flexner has good info for making your own. I also remember Frank Klausz DVD on Finishing had a nice 3 sided knock-down version that you can put up and take down as you need. A decent library should carry some of the above references. And of course there's youtube
WoodSam said:
Some questions come to mind:
-how large are your projects?
-do you have the space?
-being in Ontario, Canada, is your shop heated and can you ventilate during winter (assuming you want to paint then)
My el-cheapo method for venting and controlling spray mist is an area by a window, a box fan in the window blowing out with an air filter layed against the 'in' side of the fan. Another box fan/filter can be used to supply 'clean' air to the area. If the window isn't an option then simply setting up the box fans/filters in the room will act as a cheap air cleaner, assuming the paint smell isn't a problem and fumes aren't explosive.
CarolinaNomad
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As for fans, I found fans from HVAC systems on kijiji that works great, $25 to $45 dollars each. They have the suction like no other. Actually, I drove by a house last week that had their HVAC system sitting at the curb. And try to keep the fans in an enclosure separate from the spray zone. And buy a lot of filters. From what I've read, the suction should be at ground level and the clean air flowing in should be above the head. If you build an enclosed area, be sure to keep the floor wet while spraying. This will prevent the dust that has fallen from getting airborne again. There is a pdf of how to make a home made spray booth. I can't seem to find it now, but it is very informative. It gets really technical regarding the clean air in and the suction air flowing out. I disregarded all that technical crap. Basically, you want air to move but not at the level at which it starts to effect your spraying. So have the clean air flowing in set to very low or none at all and the suction set the very high.
And as I like to say, "If it works then it works. If not, then try something different until it works." [big grin]
And as I like to say, "If it works then it works. If not, then try something different until it works." [big grin]
Pnw painter
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Depending on how permanent you want to make the spray booth, you might want to look into use zip walls.
