Chicago garage with few options for heat...

[TRA]

I have a one car garage that is dry walled (not sure if it's insulated). I want to take some of the chill out of the air, and spot heat areas when I decide to spray paint. A 1500 watt electric heater is blowing my breaker, and I can't run a vented propane system because I can't cut in vents (homeowners association), but also because a bedroom is above the garage.

I feel like I'm stuck risking my life with ventless propane or using the halogen heaters, but have no experience with them.

Do the small halogen heaters do anything in a garage setting?

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I'm in Chicago and don't have high expectations, but want an area warm enough that I can move my fingers, and spray paint without it freezing.

Any suggestions that won't kill me?

 

[Red Green]

What about warming the area with the propane then shutting down the heat to spray paint?

 

[cwolfley]

propane gives of moisture, not good... on drywall and paint.

 

[trythis]

If your budget isnt too low, put in a 220 circuit and use baseboard heaters or use some overhead radiant electric.

On the cheap, use some heat lamps in clip lights? You can plug those in to several 110 circuits.

 

[MarkIowa]

Is your breaker box in or near the garage? Wiring up a new circuit, preferably 220, would be a good option. Or, is there an electric dryer outlet in or near the garage?

 

[TRA]

Is your breaker box in or near the garage? Wiring up a new circuit, preferably 220, would be a good option. Or, is there an electric dryer outlet in or near the garage?

Unfortunately, no. We live in a townhome where the garage is at ground level and the living quarters are on the second floor (with the breaker box). My brother in-law is a union electrician, but I can't get him over here to help me out. This isn't our forever home so I'm hoping for a temporary solution.

 

[TRA]

On the cheap, use some heat lamps in clip lights? You can plug those in to several 110 circuits.

This seems like a pretty good idea. If I where to put up three strong heat lamps around an area I'm going to be spraying in...do you think that might work? I could probably build a mini spray booth with overhead heat lamps.

 

[idunnosh#t]

I have a ventless propane wallmount in my house garage and it actually works super nice. No problems with oxygen depletion or excess humidity although painting is never a good idea around open flames or a pilot light.I wouldnt be afraid of painting small stuff.Just preheat garage,shut off heater and pilot light,paint,blow out fumes,fire furnace back up,drink a beer, watch paint dry.

 

[Joel 67]

What are you going to be painting? I live in Chicagoland and found that the temp of the part and paint is more important that then temp of the spray booth. If you are painting tanks, skins, etc. it will benefit you to keep them in the house to warm up prior to painting. I had pad results trying to paint a part or panel that is less than 50*.