Rattle Can Paint Job in a Small DIY Paint Booth

[danieldd]

I've got a small panel that I need to paint. Normally I would do this outside, but the temps have gotten cold, so I need to rig up something inside the shop. I haven't done this before, so I need some help. I'm going to rattle can this as it is only a small headlight panel (approximately 1 foot square).

I'm going to have the local paint store mix up some paint and put it in an aerosol can (also going to pick up some primer and clear) for me as I don't have any HVLP equipment. For the paint booth, I was thinking of using a large cardboard box, maybe 3x3 foot and cutting out the back and taping a cheap HVAC filter on the back and then putting a box fan behind it - aimed at one of my shop windows.

Plan is to get the temp in the shop up to 60 degrees, open the window, turn on the fan and paint.

What do you think? Is there a better way? I've got a good body man/painter that can do this for me but the cost of materials and his time for such a small panel are probably cost prohibitive.

 

[cheese79]

if you are getting or already have the paint ask your body guy if you can use his shop. i have a guy here local that will let me use his if i am only going to be an hour or so on little stuff like that as long as you take your bigger paying jobs to him i would doubt he would have a problem with it, but if he says know you are only out a phone call and sounds like you already have a pretty good fall back plan if he does say no.

 

[sberry]

Your plan is good, open another window or walk door to let air in the building. http://finishingacademy.com/training/aero/aero_mod3/aero_mod3_intro.html This is a must read for guys setting up paint work. A paint room is not the same as a clean room. This is what makes air flow.

 

[danieldd]

Your plan is good, open another window or walk door to let air in the building. http://finishingacademy.com/training/aero/aero_mod3/aero_mod3_intro.html This is a must read for guys setting up paint work. A paint room is not the same as a clean room. This is what makes air flow.

Good idea about opening another window. Didn't think about that for airflow..

 

[WhoWhatNow]

You do not want to pull the paint fumes through a regular fan. That is how things go boom. Maybe push from one side to the filter/window on the other?

 

[malibu101]

How will you keep your "booth" from pulling dust/dirt into it and onto the fresh paint?

 

[lilredex]

Here's what I do when it is freezing outside and I have a small piece to paint and cannot wait for spring.

Bring both your part and paint inside overnight to get them at room temperature. Bend an "S" hook to hold your part, then step outside and quickly spray your piece and bring it back in, immediately. Go back out in a few minutes to do a second coat if needed. No need to stink up your house with paint fumes. Obviously this is not going to work if the piece is large, like a fender or hood.

 

[torqueman2002]

You do not want to pull the paint fumes through a regular fan. That is how things go boom. Maybe push from one side to the filter/window on the other?

That's what I have read and believe.

Here's a fellow, very competent, skilled, and experienced who is using furnace filters and box fans. He says the trick is to start the fans prior to spraying.

http://tinyurl.com/Build-a-temp-paint-booh

I couldn't find the exact post or reply where he writes about the fans, but here's another thread on his painting. Note: this is set-up outside in warmer temps, but the point is he's using box fans with exposed commutators.
http://tinyurl.com/E-Type-Bonnet-ready-for-paint

 

[E.rodz]

for something that small. I would bring it to a body shop and say call me when it is done. your paint cost and supplies and time to make a spray area is not going to be worth the effort.

 

[38Chevy454]

I doubt pulling air through the fan would be a fire hazard. You need a certain concentration level before it is explosive. With sufficient air volume, you never reach that level. Not enough solvent in a rattle can with box fan to reach enough concentration since you would paint some, then stop, paint more, then stop, etc.

However, this is based on assumptions and I can't say for sure you have no potential.

I agree your idea would pull dirt from the shop air into your makeshift booth without having filtered air entry.

 

[bzinsky]

I've got a small panel that I need to paint. Normally I would do this outside, but the temps have gotten cold, so I need to rig up something inside the shop. I haven't done this before, so I need some help. I'm going to rattle can this as it is only a small headlight panel (approximately 1 foot square).

I'm going to have the local paint store mix up some paint and put it in an aerosol can (also going to pick up some primer and clear) for me as I don't have any HVLP equipment. For the paint booth, I was thinking of using a large cardboard box, maybe 3x3 foot and cutting out the back and taping a cheap HVAC filter on the back and then putting a box fan behind it - aimed at one of my shop windows.

Plan is to get the temp in the shop up to 60 degrees, open the window, turn on the fan and paint.

What do you think? Is there a better way? I've got a good body man/painter that can do this for me but the cost of materials and his time for such a small panel are probably cost prohibitive.

I mean aren't you just filtering the air after it hits the panel then? It's like you're bringing in unfiltered air, and then pushing out filtered air, making it relatively pointless?

I'd personally wet the floor down, it will prevent dust from getting kicked up.

Put a fan blowing out of one window, and then tightly sealed filter on another window. This way the intake air is filtered.

Also harbor freight has a $14 gun, I haven't tried it but it gets great reviews. You just need an air compressor.

 

[danieldd]

for something that small. I would bring it to a body shop and say call me when it is done. your paint cost and supplies and time to make a spray area is not going to be worth the effort.

Well, I called the paint shop and a 1/2 pint of just the color would be $46. Going to a body shop and having them paint it I would expect would cost me at least $100 after its all said and done (maybe more) as you would have to factor in labor and other materials - primer, reducer, clear, etc.

Seems I can come out better getting a pre mixed rattle can for $16 at the paint store, clear is rather inexpensive and making my own booth much cheaper than paying someone to do it.

Granted I would much prefer the body shop do it, but for this small of a piece, the economies of scale are pricey..

 

[E.rodz]

you might be suprized with the answer depending on how busy the shop is you could prob. drop it off with the spray can and if they can do it at there convinience the price might be cheap compared to all your efforts. I don't think there is a bigger diy person in the world than me. but i am learning that sometimes there might be better ways.

 

[CJM8515]

Just how professional do you need this to be? I bought a can of paint matched to my truck (or very damn close actually), can of primer and a can of clear. I painted outside right in my yard.

It was part of my fender well on my pick up-right before it on the pass side actually. I glassed it, bondo, sanded, primered and painted it. My buddy thought I paid to professionally do it-you cant tell. Did a fender that way too, but you can tell the color is ever so slightly off.

Real trick to it all was wet sanding and prep work.

I made a booth in my basement to paint some other parts once. Draped plastic over my benches, used a large cardboard box (actually a tool chest box) and had no issues. Opened the window and was done with it. Fumes and overspray were minimal

 

[tfinniii]

Here's my small parts booth.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

How will you keep your "booth" from pulling dust/dirt into it and onto the fresh paint?

Good point. A filter before the fan then one at the other end? This way there is filtered air being blown across the part then the overspray is captured by the post filter.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'm going to rattle can this as it is only a small headlight panel (approximately 1 foot square).

To be honest, for something that small I'd just put down some newspaper on the basement floor and paint it. If you can put your hands on a large cardboard box (like for a refrigerator or some other large appliance) use that for a spray booth.

 

[danieldd]

All of you have very good suggestions and I will weigh them all carefully. The DIY in me wants to do it myself. The "****" part of me wants a professional to do it, but its just a small panel, so I feel I need to try it myself first. If I screw it up, then I can always sand it down and either try it again or take it to someone that is experienced. I would much rather do it outside, but as I indicated earlier, the weather has gotten cold here in North Alabama. Fortunately, time is on my side, so I will gather the necessary materials, sand and prep the part and then either wait for warmer outside temps (and what is the lowest temp you can paint outside), paint it and then bring it inside to cure - OR go with my initial statement - build my own paint booth.

 

[alpinewhite]

Here's my small parts booth.

Is air being sucked into the filters? If so, I think your filters are on backwards. Those metal things are supposed to prevent the filter material from collapsing.

 

[Jagmandave]

Here's what I do when it is freezing outside and I have a small piece to paint and cannot wait for spring.

Bring both your part and paint inside overnight to get them at room temperature. Bend an "S" hook to hold your part, then step outside and quickly spray your piece and bring it back in, immediately. Go back out in a few minutes to do a second coat if needed. No need to stink up your house with paint fumes. Obviously this is not going to work if the piece is large, like a fender or hood.

This is exactly what I do too, works just fine......

 

[John in OH]

Here's my small parts booth.

What is that red fan on the right side of your booth? Is that what you are using to vent the booth? Is it venting to the exterior?

 

[rburke65]

I have sprayed lots of small parts in the winter as suggested above.....open the door, step outside, spray and go back in. Then do it again.

 

[whitecharger2014]

That small of a piece I put it on a small table in the garage and paint it.

Are you painting in the formal dining room?

 

[nicksL98]

To be honest, for something that small I'd just put down some newspaper on the basement floor and paint it. If you can put your hands on a large cardboard box (like for a refrigerator or some other large appliance) use that for a spray booth.

This. You're waaayyyy over thinking this. If you want Close to pro results, buy the areosol can of the custom mixed basecoat, Call the paint shop and say hey I need a little piece clear coated and can they do it while theyre doing other parts. Agree on a time, spray the part, let it flash, then take it to the shop and have them clear it. If you're nice to them they might do it for free.

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

Just roll out your cherry picker in the middle of the garage. Hang the piece. Close all windows/doors so theres no air circulation that can move dirt/hair/etc. Paint the thing ! put on your paint suit if you feel the need. Wear a respirator, or hold your breath

 

[Top_Fuel]

Not to get too far off topic...but I've used custom mixed touch-up paint and clear from http://www.automotivetouchup.com/ with great results. I did a spot repair of metallic silver and blended it out into the panel, and it's virtually invisible for about $40 in materials.

What's a paint booth?

 

[tfinniii]

Alpinewhite, the filters have it on both sides,they were placed according to flow arrow.

 

[sberry]

You wont be blowing up a box fan with a spray can. They have clear in a spray bomb too.

 

[planeguy]

I've got a small panel that I need to paint. Normally I would do this outside, but the temps have gotten cold, so I need to rig up something inside the shop.

Plan is to get the temp in the shop up to 60 degrees, open the window, turn on the fan and paint.

I'm not sure I understand..... while the focus of many comments here are on particle contamination, your willingness to paint outside and line of questions indicates that you are simply afraid of fumes. Is that it? IMO any rattle can work is nothing to worry about. simply prep, paint and then leave enclosed space for a few hours...its not like you are going to hang around in there.