Ideas to improve improvised paint booth??

[Richard]

Backstory: Wife bought several (call it 5) kitchen base cabinets. Combined length is about six feet. Also bought some wall cabinets to go above them. They were unfinished so now we get to paint them.

Have 20 gal compressor, HVLP gravity feed spray gun. Some kind of primer as advised by HD along with some oil based paint for them. (she's the paint pro so did all that)

How to paint...?

Have some (construction type) scaffolding, each section about eight feet tall with "X" braces on the sides. (used a bunch of them last summer to sand blast all logs on house, then stain & chink)

Point being, this is genuine scaffold.

Took two uprights plus their 'X" brace (only one). Out in yard. Put some tarp down on the grass, then some 1/4" extra plywood as a quasi-floor. (don't care if any of this gets overspray) Next, took some 4x8 sheets of 1/4" plywood and wrapped them around the three open sides. Took some ratchet straps to cinch the "walls" tight and hopefully keep them in place. Took another tarp and placed it over the top as a "roof" (the real "roof" consists of two of those walking planks that fit onto the scaffold) The tarp is more of a dust cover.

Actually... just got back! Here's a picture of it.

We're going to put it up.... prime, paint the cabinets and then doors....and then take it down.

Any suggestions on how to do it better?

 

[thepumpguysc]

If the doors are off the cabinets, run/hang some cut off coat hanger pieces to "hang" the doors on..
MAYBE a small box fan of some sort might help keep the spray cloud down too.??
Have fun & take your time..

 

[ustmd]

If the doors are off the cabinets, run/hang some cut off coat hanger pieces to "hang" the doors on..
MAYBE a small box fan of some sort might help keep the spray cloud down too.??
Have fun & take your time..

Get a box fan with and an HVAC filter (or several) sized to cover the inlet side. Install the fan opposite side from where you plan to stand for painting and have it exhaust out of the paint booth. You will also need to close up the open side with a tarp. This will help keep with over spray and the general atmosphere in the booth. Also, you need to wear a respirator. Spend the $35 and get a decent one.

As an FYI, there is a risk of fire/explosion in method because cheap box fans are not safety rated. However, it is a very common practice

 

[CobyRupert]

Agree with Ustmd on ventilation.

Note: While special enclosed motors, and associated switches, are required in areas when gases in explosive concentrations are normally present, general purpose (squirrel cage) motors are allowed in areas where explosive concentrations are prevented by ventilation (e.g. the fan). Usually its not the motor that is the danger as they don't generate sparks, it's the fan's switches (On/Off, or internal overload switch, etc..) that generate a igniting spark that is the danger. (By code) when relying on ventilation to prevent explosive concentrations one needs alarms systems (on emergency power) to tell you it's not working....

Basically, reduce risk by starting and stopping the fan when concentrations aren't dangerous; or switch it by means outside the booth if you think there's a concern.

 

[MFWD]

Hello,
I think if you had some plastic draped over the top and around the back of you while you are spraying, the wind wouldn't blow in . Just my idea.

MFWD