In managing a car shop, the possibility to get exposed to hazards like sharp tools, fumes, or chemicals is high. Mechanics are therefore expected to take precautions with the right equipment once customers come in to have their cars serviced. An example of such a tool would be auto paint booths, which might be overlooked by car shop owners. Manufacturers of auto paint booths offer them to help maintain safety and organization in doing paint jobs for cars. Here’s a primer on auto paint booths and their value to your car shop.
The Paint Booth Process
Automotive paint booths are used in controlling the environmental conditions while spray-painting a vehicle. Drafts of air are produced in the booth to ensure the paint doesn’t go outside and make a mess in the shop. There are ventilation fans installed in auto paint booths, made to remove chemical fumes, overspray, dust particles, and other contaminants. The booths are also designed to maintain the temperature or humidity in the space so the paint could be correctly applied to the vehicle.
Assortments of Paint Booths
There are different types of paint booths to choose from. The common ones on the market are downdraft, crossdraft, or sidedraft automotive paint booths. The downdraft variant creates a draft of air from the ceiling to the floor, and is considered the cleanest way of preventing overspray. The crossdraft creates a draft that flows across the vehicle, and it is the method with the lowest cost. The sidedraft variant brings in air through the ceiling like the downdraft type but exhausts the air through the booth’s sidewalls. It costs more than the other two but has the least disadvantages.
Paint Booth Sizes
The size of an auto paint booth needs to be considered, depending on whether you intend to have your shop service small or large vehicles. The standard sizes for automotive applications are nine feet in height, fourteen feet in width, and lengths that vary from twenty-four to thirty feet. Further customizations are also available on the market, such as higher ceilings for taller vehicles.
Setting Up Space In The Shop
The space in the car shop will have to be prepared for the paint booth to be set up properly. Factors to consider include transporting parts, mounting heaters for the booth, providing a path for the exhaust, etc. The parts shouldn’t be damaged while being moved, and elements that need mounting should be placed in a safe location. The exhaust should be placed away from the vicinity of the people and vehicles. There should be space as well for storing hazardous chemicals used in the booth.
Investing In Paint Booths
It’s clear that automotive paint booths bring added value to car shops, so long as owners know how to set the parts up and operate them properly. The assortment of paint booths should give owners options that fit their budget, as well as the available space in their shop. With an automotive paint booth, you would be able to service customers who need their cars refinished, while ensuring the safety and neatness of your business.
