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Hobby Spray Booth

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Posted by maxman on Friday, November 17, 2023 7:23 PM

richhotrain
I ordered on line from a vendor called Filterbuy.

Got it. Thank you.

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, November 17, 2023 3:48 PM

maxman

  

richhotrain
maxman

Curiosity queion.  Does the filter you are using have that x pattern support structure on both sides, or just on the side in your picture?

The X-pattern is on both sides of the filter. An arrow on the top of the filter shows the intended direction of air flow. 

Rich 

Thanks, much better design than the ones I found.

What is the brand, and did you get it at one of the big box stores? 

I needed a somewhat odd size so I ordered on line from a vendor called Filterbuy. The stated size is 14x18x1, and the actual size is 13.5x17.5x0.75. The filter is graded MERV-8. The air flow output side has a thin wire reinforcement pattern, but not the air flow input side (the visible side in the spray booth).

Rich

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Posted by gmpullman on Friday, November 17, 2023 1:53 AM

maxman
However, this doesn't make much sense to me because the filter bows in toward the fan as it gets dirtier.

I would agree with what you're saying. Maybe somebody should tell MLW?

I'm not sure I would use one of the 'high efficiency' filters, though. Seems to me it would get plugged rather quickly especially if you're shooting something heavy bodied such as primers. When I used a paint booth I made my own filters and I had a 50 foot roll of 'Aquarium Filter' media. It was a little denser than the old style furnace filters used to be but not as dense as the newer HVAC-type filters that seem prevalent today.

Something similar to this:  https://a.co/d/5Scz97Y

 

 

Cheers, Ed

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Posted by maxman on Friday, November 17, 2023 12:41 AM

richhotrain

 

 
maxman

Curiosity question.  Does the filter you are using have that x pattern support structure on both sides, or just on the side in your picture?

 

 

The X-pattern is on both sides of the filter. An arrow on the top of the filter shows the intended direction of air flow.

 

Rich

 

Thanks, much better design than the ones I found.

What is the brand, and did you get it at one of the big box stores?

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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, November 16, 2023 10:31 PM

Dave, you are right about the lighting.

I need an overhead light inside the spray booth.

Rich

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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, November 16, 2023 10:20 PM

richhotrain
Here is a photo of my hybrid setup.

richhotrain
It looks a bit strange,

Hi Rich,

I don't think it looks strange at all! I think it looks great!

If I can make a suggestion, get yourself a light that will fit inside the top of the booth to eliminate the shadows and give you a clear view of how well the paint is covering.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, November 16, 2023 9:06 PM

maxman

Curiosity question.  Does the filter you are using have that x pattern support structure on both sides, or just on the side in your picture?

The X-pattern is on both sides of the filter. An arrow on the top of the filter shows the intended direction of air flow.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
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Posted by maxman on Thursday, November 16, 2023 7:21 PM

Curiosity question.  Does the filter you are using have that x pattern support structure on both sides, or just on the side in your picture?

I use a 3M filter that has a support structure similar to what you show, also on the visible side.  And that would be correct using the air flow arrow as a reference.

However, this doesn't make much sense to me because the filter bows in toward the fan as it gets dirtier.  So I reverse the installation.  I did call 3M about this and the rep said that their engineers said it should work as designed, but I disagree.

Anyone else have an opinion?

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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, November 16, 2023 6:33 PM

Just a brief update on my spray booth project.

Back in September, I was trying to figure out how best to vent the fumes from the spray booth. In my last home, before I ever contemplated a spray booth, I dealt with moving basement air by mounting an exhaust fan on a sheet of plywood. The basement windows were removable, so I would remove the window and replace it with the plywood holding the exhaust fan. Here is a photo.

To vent fumes from my spray booth, I bought an ACINFINITY Raxial S6 Inline 6" Booster Duct Fan. Here is a photo.

I had planned to mount the venting assembly on a piece of plywood, much like what I had done in my prior home. But my wife convinced me to save time and expense and mount the old exhaust fan into the basement window and tie the new assembly to it. So I did. Here is a photo of my hybrid setup.

It looks a bit strange, but it sure works well. And, the wife is happy. No fumes.

Rich

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, September 10, 2023 7:54 AM

navyman636

I bought one from MicroMark years ago, and have been able to depend on it ever since.

A couple thoughts:

1.  Any filter is better than no filter but installing good filtration really isn't a problem.  The more paint you keep off your venting system, the better.  Plastic parts in vent fans and ducts often don't like paint solvent vapors any more than they like paint particles.  You don't need a filter to cover anything more than the entire opening of the vent system, so anything you add will contribute to success.  You want the filter medium to capture as much of the airborne particulates as possible, without cutting off the flow of air any more than necessary.  I check my fan regularly (not often, but regularly) to make sure everything remains free-turning.

Lately I've been using furnace filters that were on a discontinued product rack at Lowes.  If you get something similar, just cut it down to size and seal the edges with some kind of tape.  Don't bother with an expensive carbon or other special filter.  The object of the whole system is to blow all the bad stuff outside.

2. After buying my paint booth and carefully inspecting it, I realized I could have made my own from stuff laying around.  Whatever materials one might use, and the range is endless, just sealing off the corners even with only tape will do, as long as it stands up.

3.  There's no substitute for a turning mechanism inside the paint booth.  I used a three dollar plastic lazy susan fixture.  Cover the top of it with a flat surface large enough to keep paint off the working parts.  A coffee can will help elevate things to be painted for ease of use and to get them closer to the vent's air stream.

4.  I taped an old, relatively lint-free t-shirt from my rag box over the front opening, so I can drop it down once I've finished painting, to keep the vent from sucking in dust and other particulates.  Any such rag will do, as long as it doesn't cut off too much air flow.  I occasionally shake it out.

5.  I added a cheap light bar inside the box of the booth.  I fixed it just inside the top edge with a couple of pieces of double-sided sticky foam.  I taped the cord along the inside top, down the side, and it dangles out the front.  It plugs into the power bar I attached to the outside of the booth to power various items.  I also tape a piece of Saran wrap over the light bar, to keep paint spray off the light bar.  When it gets gunked up it's easy to replace.  I'm soon to add two small stick-on 12-volt mini lights in the back corners of the booth, which I'll protect with disposable clear plastic cups taped in place.  Good, even light is priceless.  However many you install, you'll not regret using light fixtures of similar types, so the light is even throughout the booth, and of similar wavelengths.

5. I've seen others use an old personal computer fan with good results.  Like any other fan, though, durability and safe operation will depend on use of a good filter medium changed as often as needed.

6.  I can be accused of belaboring the obvious but this deserves stressing:  make sure it's all properly vented to outdoors, and that all the booth's joints are sealed, even just with tape, so air flow is controlled the way you want it to be.

Good luck!  No matter where it comes from a decent paint booth will pay for itself in both immediate and long-term satisfaction.

 

 

Lots of good stuff here. Thanks.

Rich

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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, September 9, 2023 7:05 PM

hon30critter
Keep in mind that you don't actually need a filter if you are exhausting outside.

I stand corrected! Filters obviously have an important role to play when using a spray booth.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by navyman636 on Saturday, September 9, 2023 4:45 PM

I bought one from MicroMark years ago, and have been able to depend on it ever since.

A couple thoughts:

1.  Any filter is better than no filter but installing good filtration really isn't a problem.  The more paint you keep off your venting system, the better.  Plastic parts in vent fans and ducts often don't like paint solvent vapors any more than they like paint particles.  You don't need a filter to cover anything more than the entire opening of the vent system, so anything you add will contribute to success.  You want the filter medium to capture as much of the airborne particulates as possible, without cutting off the flow of air any more than necessary.  I check my fan regularly (not often, but regularly) to make sure everything remains free-turning.

Lately I've been using furnace filters that were on a discontinued product rack at Lowes.  If you get something similar, just cut it down to size and seal the edges with some kind of tape.  Don't bother with an expensive carbon or other special filter.  The object of the whole system is to blow all the bad stuff outside.

2. After buying my paint booth and carefully inspecting it, I realized I could have made my own from stuff laying around.  Whatever materials one might use, and the range is endless, just sealing off the corners even with only tape will do, as long as it stands up.

3.  There's no substitute for a turning mechanism inside the paint booth.  I used a three dollar plastic lazy susan fixture.  Cover the top of it with a flat surface large enough to keep paint off the working parts.  A coffee can will help elevate things to be painted for ease of use and to get them closer to the vent's air stream.

4.  I taped an old, relatively lint-free t-shirt from my rag box over the front opening, so I can drop it down once I've finished painting, to keep the vent from sucking in dust and other particulates.  Any such rag will do, as long as it doesn't cut off too much air flow.  I occasionally shake it out.

5.  I added a cheap light bar inside the box of the booth.  I fixed it just inside the top edge with a couple of pieces of double-sided sticky foam.  I taped the cord along the inside top, down the side, and it dangles out the front.  It plugs into the power bar I attached to the outside of the booth to power various items.  I also tape a piece of Saran wrap over the light bar, to keep paint spray off the light bar.  When it gets gunked up it's easy to replace.  I'm soon to add two small stick-on 12-volt mini lights in the back corners of the booth, which I'll protect with disposable clear plastic cups taped in place.  Good, even light is priceless.  However many you install, you'll not regret using light fixtures of similar types, so the light is even throughout the booth, and of similar wavelengths.

5. I've seen others use an old personal computer fan with good results.  Like any other fan, though, durability and safe operation will depend on use of a good filter medium changed as often as needed.

6.  I can be accused of belaboring the obvious but this deserves stressing:  make sure it's all properly vented to outdoors, and that all the booth's joints are sealed, even just with tape, so air flow is controlled the way you want it to be.

Good luck!  No matter where it comes from a decent paint booth will pay for itself in both immediate and long-term satisfaction.

 

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, September 9, 2023 12:22 PM

richhotrain

 

 
maxman

 

 
hon30critter
Keep in mind that you don't actually need a filter if you are exhausting outside. Putting in a high quality filter is actually counter productive because it will trap all the paint and clog up faster.

 

I suspect that it is will be more counter-productive if all the untrapped paint overspray deposits on the fan.

 

 

 

Agreed. I will definitely use a clean air filter with each project.

 

Rich

 

 

It too almost two decades, but this is what the fan in my first paint booth looked like:

-Photograph by Kevin Parson

My new paint booth has dual stage filtration. This will not happen again!

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, September 9, 2023 11:20 AM

maxman

 

 
hon30critter
Keep in mind that you don't actually need a filter if you are exhausting outside. Putting in a high quality filter is actually counter productive because it will trap all the paint and clog up faster.

 

I suspect that it is will be more counter-productive if all the untrapped paint overspray deposits on the fan.

 

Agreed. I will definitely use a clean air filter with each project.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by maxman on Saturday, September 9, 2023 10:13 AM

hon30critter
Keep in mind that you don't actually need a filter if you are exhausting outside. Putting in a high quality filter is actually counter productive because it will trap all the paint and clog up faster.

I suspect that it is will be more counter-productive if all the untrapped paint overspray deposits on the fan.

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, September 9, 2023 7:54 AM

hon30critter

Hi Rich,

One more thing. I would suggest that you buy a bunch of filters, the cheaper the better. My filters clog up fairly quickly and when I pull a dirty one out, there is a noticable increase in the fan speed. I use the fiber mesh kind.

This filter is at the end of its usable life:

P1010185_zps768982f3

Keep in mind that you don't actually need a filter if you are exhausting outside. Putting in a high quality filter is actually counter productive because it will trap all the paint and clog up faster. I use a filter because I don't exhaust my booth to the outside. I only use acyrlic paints so the fumes aren't a concern. If I feel the need and it is not too windy outside, I can open the front and back doors of the garage and the breeze will take care of whatever is in the air.

Another couple of suggestions while I'm at it:

I put a pressure regulator valve right on top of the spray booth. I don't have to walk over to the compressor to fine tune the air flow.

Adding a light inside the booth helps a lot.

P1010186_zps74e57bf3

Cheers!!

Dave

 

All good suggestions for me to consider. Thanks,Dave.

Rich

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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, September 8, 2023 7:20 PM

Hi Rich,

One more thing. I would suggest that you buy a bunch of filters, the cheaper the better. My filters clog up fairly quickly and when I pull a dirty one out, there is a noticable increase in the fan speed. I use the fiber mesh kind.

This filter is at the end of its usable life:

P1010185_zps768982f3

Keep in mind that you don't actually need a filter if you are exhausting outside. Putting in a high quality filter is actually counter productive because it will trap all the paint and clog up faster. I use a filter because I don't exhaust my booth to the outside. I only use acyrlic paints so the fumes aren't a concern. If I feel the need and it is not too windy outside, I can open the front and back doors of the garage and the breeze will take care of whatever is in the air.

Another couple of suggestions while I'm at it:

I put a pressure regulator valve right on top of the spray booth. I don't have to walk over to the compressor to fine tune the air flow.

Adding a light inside the booth helps a lot.

P1010186_zps74e57bf3

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, September 8, 2023 2:52 PM

hon30critter

Hi again Rich,

I added a last paragraph to my post which you may not have seen. All I suggested was to try to make the bends in the flex hose less sharp.

Cheers!!

Dave

 

ooh, I missed that. What I can do is build a small bench to sit the exhaust fan on, up higher, to eliminate those two bends.

Rich

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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, September 8, 2023 2:48 PM

Hi again Rich,

I added a last paragraph to my post which you may not have seen. All I suggested was to try to make the bends in the flex hose less sharp.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, September 8, 2023 2:44 PM

Will do, Dave. But I do appreciate the candor of your replies. I am new to airbrushing, so I need all of the help and advice that I can get.

Rich

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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, September 8, 2023 2:39 PM

Hi Rich

Perhaps my comparison to forced air heating was a bit extreme. You have already tested the system using the candles and it seemed to work fine, so I wouldn't worry about the lengths of flex tube that you are using. Try it with paint the way you have it set up, and if you don't think you are getting enough air flow, then you might consider using a couple of lengths of smooth pipe.

I would try to make the bends in the flex tubing as gentle as possible. The sharp bends shown in your picture will definitely restrict the flow.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, September 8, 2023 2:02 PM

You guys are making me nervous. Laugh.

I will say this. That 6" exhaust fan seems fairly powerful in terms of air flow.

Rich

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, September 8, 2023 1:49 PM

I just want to echo the importance of what Dave stated.

There is no reason to go all-out and expensive as I did, but rigid pipe with smooth(ish) interior walls are important for long runs.

-Photograph by Kevin Parson

If I were to do it over again, I would use 4" drainage PVC pipe and long sweep PVC DWV elbows.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, September 8, 2023 1:07 PM

Dave, thanks so much for that post and your observations on the length of the flexible ductwork.

Let me clarify how I intend to operate the spray booth. When I bought that 25' length of flexible ductwork, it was part of the exhaust fan purchase which had two options: an 8' length or a 25' length. I selected the 25' length to be sure that I had enough length.

You can see from the photo that I have already used about 5' of the flexible ductwork to connect the exhaust fan to the spray booth. I wanted to avoid the permanency of sheet metal ductwork so I could keep the spray booth portable.

As to the remaining 20' length of the flexible ductwork, one option is to use the spray booth in my basement with a relatively straight run of ductwork up and out the basement window, probably an 8' to 10' run. The other option is to use the spray booth in the garage just inside the door leading out into the back yard. Again, that should be a relatively straight run down and out the door. So, I am hoping that I will not run into air flow problems. Time will tell.

I did do a "smoke test" with a handful of candles bunched together to be certain that the smoke from extinguished candles inside the spray booth reached the open end of the exhaust fan. That was easily accomplished. So, I am guardedly optimistic that this setup will work.

Rich

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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, September 8, 2023 12:12 PM

richhotrain
Not shown in the photo is a 25 foot length of flexible vent hose that will connect on the other end of the exhaust fan.

Hi Rich,

I spent a few years selling HVAC systems including situations where we were replacing baseboard heating with forced air ductwork. Using long runs of flexible ductwork was a big no-no. That 25' length of flex tube may cause you some problems with air flow. The corrugations restrict the air flow considerably. If you can substitue straight smooth aluminum ductwork for part or all of that distance, it will improve the airflow considerably.

Also note that each bend in the pipe restricts the airflow as well.

Cheers!!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, September 8, 2023 10:40 AM

I am updating this thread after a 6 month hiatus to deal with some health problems.

Here is a photo of the completed spray booth with exhaust fan and air filter attached. Not shown in the photo is a 25 foot length of flexible vent hose that will connect on the other end of the exhaust fan. The setup is heavy but portable so that I can spray paint in the garage during the summer and in the basement during the winter.

Now that I have finally completed the spray booth, I need to buy a compressor and respirator so that I can begin airbrushing a dozen passenger cars. I plan to start a separate thread on that project since I have many questions on the selection and application of a suitable paint.

Rich

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 8:04 AM

The Raxial line from AC Infinity is intended as an in-line exhaust fan with no interference from dampers or other such obstacles except for a "standard" furnace filter that traps impurities like paint droplets. The Raxial fan is not powerful enough to counter the force of in-line, higher pressure collection devices.

Rich

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Posted by hbgatsf on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 7:44 AM

richhotrain

I wonder how they define restricted?

>not suitable in restricted airflow applications.

Edit:  This was farther down on the page:

Please note this booster fan cannot be used standalone in high static pressure applications like room ventilation. Additionally, it is not suitable for use in applications with restricted airflow like systems that use carbon filters. For higher performance, see the CLOUDLINE Series.

Rick

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, February 20, 2023 1:59 PM

hardcoalcase

If you do an on-line search for "model spray booth" you'll find a handful of examples that will come very close (or lower) to your $100 price point.  

Jim

Thanks, Jim. I lucked out with that scrap plywood that I got for free. That will help to keep the overall cost down. 

Rich

Alton Junction

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