Improvising a paint booth - need ideas.

[sargentrs]

Looking for some ideas here. I'm not talking primo, state of the art, high tech with tons of space, I'm talking about good ol' fashioned redneck, good ol' boy, ingenuity. I've been using my "redneck paint booth" all spring and summer.

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Works OK for small parts but now the weather's turning colder so I've got to move it inside. I plan on moving it into my "basement", dirt floor, poor lighting, no heat, etc. I've got about a 6ft square deck to play with that has a plywood floor.

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I want to put something up to semi-enclose that area and add additional lighting and some kind of heat. While the temps down there stay in the mid-60's during the cold months, I need to get that particular area up in the 70's at least long enough to get small parts sprayed. Also, I need to make it movable because my truck parts are up in there behind that area. I'm thinking some heavy plastic curtains, on 3 sides, that I can roll up and down. Add a couple of 500 watt halogen lights pointing in from the front and maybe an oscillating electric space heater that I can direct in there to warm the area and parts, pull it back out of the way, shoot the parts, and put it back in front to keep them warm while they dry. Add some kind of hanger so I can rotate parts and not have to walk around them. I'll just be using it to paint small parts, over the winter, to keep making progress until spring. Other ideas, suggestions, pointers? Thanks guys!

[forrestbump]

I've seen Visqueen sheets used in a few homemade paint booths. Keeps the dust out and paint over spray in. It also kept the internal temperature relatively constant, in other words, once heated up inside, the heat doesn't escape.

Lay sheets of Visqueen above and below your paint booth too, helps clean up, dust / paint control and moisture / temperature control.

It's been years since I've bought it and am assuming it's available at most Home Center type businesses.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that Visqueen is sold in rolls IIRC.

[robroy]

Good day Randy and Larry,

Larry, a few months ago the landlord had a new roof put on this house, and the roofers put up giant sheets of Visqueen in the garage to cover my tools and stuff. It was nice of them to do it since it looked like it was a lot of work, and it was very effective at keeping stuff clean.

The roofer guy offered to leave the sheeting with me, but at the time I couldn't think of anything I'd ever use it for, so I had him haul it away--all except for one tarp-sized section that I folded up and kept.

I can see that stuff being very effective for a paint booth. Though knowing that this is going to go in to a confined space, ventilation and fire hazard control are the two things that immediately come to mind. You'd probably need a remote air system to breathe in there, and a way to suck out the intense vapors. I always get nervous when painting indoors, because I'm afraid of the vapors building up and a spark from an electric motor or other source setting it off! I'm not sure how much of a concern that really is though.

Robroy

[forrestbump]

Robroy,

Your concerns are well founded and Thank You for bringing them up!

Randy, take note of Robroy's observation, I hadn't thought of them.

[basketcase0302]

Randy,
Seemed like maybe Keith maybe had a tutorial of sorts on how to make one with plastic here somewhere?

[cowbay]

Same here, I would have some type of positive ventilation, safety job one.

[sargentrs]

Thanks for the suggestions, and cautions, everyone!

[70 ranger]

I had a buddy get burned badly when his compressor kicked back on. the switch sparked a bit and ignited the fumes. I would look into anything that causes a spark such as your ventilation fans or heater.

[socalcraigster]

Is it really worth it?

I recently read a thread here where, if the vehicle is properly prepared, a Maaco paint job is a reasonable alternative, without all the risk.

I also remember reading the thread about the $50 paint job using a roller.

Respectfully submitted.

[67mann]

Is it really worth it?

I recently read a thread here where, if the vehicle is properly prepared, a Maaco paint job is a reasonable alternative, without all the risk.

I also remember reading the thread about the $50 paint job using a roller.

Respectfully submitted.

I'm pretty sure he's not talkin body parts

Hey Randy..as all metioned above points,but you'll also have an "aroma" to deal with painten in the basement(just ask me )that will encapture your whole house.Might better take over a small section of your garage. Keep it simple....spray booths for what you want to do don't require alot. Buy a roll of heavy mill poly....hang it in a circle from the ceiling,overlap for your entrance....best if you can do by a window,but the overhead is another option....use this for your fan(facing outwards)to ventilate. A good qaulity lamp(2head)stand will produce enough heat inside for your paint to cure.....don't forget to shut your window or door at this point

[sargentrs]

Man! You OSHA and EPA guys make it hard on "the little man" to accomplish anything! JK. I can do this. Let me think on it and I'll get back with you on a proposal. Thanks!

[Doug F]

Rolls of plastic sheeting and a staple gun. Use clear sheeting and leave the lights outside the "booth" and make sure there is an exhaust fan somewhere that the plastic is tented to.

[sargentrs]

That's what I was thinking. Thanks, Doug!

[Doug F]

I am a well educated Redneck.

[70_F100]

Rolls of plastic sheeting and a staple gun. Use clear sheeting and leave the lights outside the "booth" and make sure there is an exhaust fan somewhere that the plastic is tented to.

Sounds good to me, and I deal with OSHA and EPA daily...