If you are in the process of searching custom RV and truck paint booths, you are sure to discover a variety of designs and options on the market. The key is to deal with a licensed contractor in your region who knows the ins and out of the permit process, and has had experience building paint spray booths. Too many consumers purchase paint booths from the “magazine sources” only to be stuck with crates of sheet metal panels which cannot be turned into an approved installation. Your contractor has the ability to provide you just the right booth for your requirements, as well as acquire all permits to build and operate the booth. Make sure that you choose a vendor that not only offers a great product but also complies with all fire, electrical, and building codes in your region.
Size and Shape Matters
Before you purchase a truck paint booth, you must first determine what is the largest vehicle you will be working with, and then fit the booth around that. You should plan on a minimum of 4’ working space around a vehicle. For example: If your largest vehicle is 8’ wide x 45’ long x 13’ high, you should plan on a booth a minimum of 16’ wide x 53’ long x 16’ high. If you plan on using scaffolding around the vehicle, then think of an 18’ wide booth x 60’ long.
Next, consider the space where you intend to install the paint booth, and how your operation will flow. Should the booth be a drive in back out model, or should it be drive thru? Following that, determine what kind or production you want out of the booth. Is your production such that a vehicle can sit in the booth for three to four days while you are working on it, or do you need to move a truck to two per day through the booth? Your production will determine what type of temperature control equipment you add to the booth, in particular heating and drying capabilities. When all this is determined, go to the booth site and layout the booth on the floor. Make it with tape. Look at the site. Do you have enough turning radius (in and out of the booth if it is a drive thru), is there enough head room, are there any utilities in the way, is this going to work? Many times, it is wise to actually mark the booth on the floor, and then have one of your drivers drive a truck through the booth.
Design Essentials
There are various design options surrounding the airflow system in truck paint booths, including cross draft, side downdraft, semi downdraft, and downdraft.
Cross draft is set up where the air is introduced to the booth through front door filters, travels down the length of the booth, and is then exhausted through filters on the other end. This is the most basic and generic in nature.
Side downdraft systems introduce air completely through the roof of the spray booth, then draws it down to side wall exhaust filter banks. These filter banks normally run the full length of the booth, and are on each side wall.
Semi downdraft systems introduces the air through the complete front roof filter bank and exhausts through a rear wall filter bank. It is a nice combination system between the cross draft and the side downdraft booth, but takes less floor space.
The downdraft system is the optimum spray booth design, introducing air through a complete roof filter bank, and then exhausting it through filtered floor pits. This design allows for minimal over spray traveling over the vehicle, the ability to paint anywhere on the vehicle with minimal masking, and the abilities for high production output.
Compliance With Codes
It is extremely important to work with a vendor who is totally compliant with fire, electrical, and building codes. There are both local and national codes to comply with, so make sure that you thoroughly examine the relevant restrictions before you install your truck paint booth.