Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

October, 2000

How to Specify a Paint Spray Booth

Q. We are assembling automotive lights. We have a small painting booth where we are applying aluminum paint (formulated with solvents). I would like you to recommend to me where can I find specifications for the proper design of this painting booth. Thank you.

A. Thank you for your question. I am not aware of any specification for the design of spray booths. To specify a booth that will really satisfy your needs for the next several years you need to be able to answer many questions, such as:

• Are the parts painted on a conveyor, racks or tables?
• What are the sizes of the parts?
• What is the size of the largest part?
• How many parts go through the booth per hour?
• How many painters are in the booth at the same time?
• Is the booth inside an existing building?
• Do you use sufficient paint on a daily basis to justify installing a water-wash booth?
• What type of spray gun do you use?
• Would you be willing to change spray guns if it were beneficial to the paint job?
• Where do you mix the paint?
• Must the automotive lights have an automotive quality finish?
• What are the weather conditions in your local area, (for instance, hot summers, very cold winters, high humidity, etc.)
• Do you have any environmental regulations that need to be satisfied?
• Do you have any special safety and fire regulations that need to be satisfied?
• What type of lighting do you require in the booth to insure that the painter(s) can see What they are doing, no matter where they stand in the booth?

These are just some of the questions that need to be answered before you specify a new spray booth.

I have written numerous articles on spray booth design which have been published in Metal Finishing Magazine, but you need to have a very good understanding of your present and future requirements before you go further with a design project.