The quest for a better paint job: Step 1 Paint Booth

[laserjock]

Well, I don't know if I'm going to make it to get paint on the truck because I don't want to rush it and cut corners just to beat the weather. It's too much prep work and too much money in materials to not do the best you can within reason.

Back in the day, Dad and I painted some cars. We had two major problems. Dirt and lighting. We never had the time or resources to set up any kind of booth so we got paint on everything and everything in the paint. I'm wanting to avoid this situation because... I think I can.

General plan is to put up a ceiling up in the garage over the paint area. Hang reflective tarps for walls. Bank of furnace filters for intake air. Fan for exhaust. Wipe everything down and hope for the best.

Step 1 is clearing out space. That's been happening. My buddy is taking his car parts to his place clearing the walls off. That is nearly complete.

Step 2: Ventilation. I talked to junk, who had picked up a big exhaust fan from Amazon and he said it worked good. So I picked up one. It's an 18" fan with shutters.

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And here is the Amazon link.

Professional Grade Products 18" Metal Shutter Exhaust Fan 2473 CFM for Garage Shed Pole Barn Hydroponic Ventilation https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PHLPTVC/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_kbjewb08PKZYE

And super bonus, it was on sale.

So I picked out a place I thought I could use a window if this all goes south. Traced the outline of the shutters on the metal and cut it out with the cutoff wheel on the grinder. Don't waste your time with anything else. If you go fast it won't get hot enough to burn the paint.

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And a test fit. I cut to the outside of the lines so I would have room for the J Chanel.

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That looks good. I framed the inside of the hole with 2x3 lumber except the top board which was ripped down to size.

Fit the J Channel in the opening and pushed the fan into place. It fits real snug. [emoji6]

Here's the outside.

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And running

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And the inside.

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Now I just need some caulk around the outside (it's raining or I would have done it) and some longer 3/8" lag screws so I can use the washers.

I think I'll tack an outlet box right beside it with a switch for power.

Next up is to hang stringers between the rafters to support the 7/16 OSB on the ceiling that will be painted white.

I'll update as I go here. Suggestions and comments are welcome.

 

[F350camper]

Hey Mike Once you get it all setup I "suggest" you paint my truck to make sure everything works! Haha don't worry I won't charge you anything.

 

[Waystro]

Cool I'll be watching this.

 

[sassyrel]

on the outside,,make something, to attach to the outer trim pieces,,that you can remove when done painting...otherwise,,if theres any breeze the wrong way,,youll have paint on the exterior wall.......preferably about a foot long. even a piece of used furnace ductwork....

 

[junk]

laser, clean install on the fan. Mine ended up being a little more bootleg. I did as Sassyrel said and built an outside hood that puts the exhaust out away from the building side. Wasn't sure why, but I kept seeing hoods on all the Ag-buildings around here with exhaust fans.

I like the plan for the paint booth. Looking forward to the next Installment!

Jeremy

 

[laserjock]

on the outside,,make something, to attach to the outer trim pieces,,that you can remove when done painting...otherwise,,if theres any breeze the wrong way,,youll have paint on the exterior wall.......preferably about a foot long. even a piece of used furnace ductwork....

That's a good idea. I'll have to see what I can come up with. I had thought about putting an air box on the inside that would hold a cheap air filter to catch the some of it and not restrict it too bad. I may need a little restriction. Holy crap that thing pulls. The other function an inside air box would serve is let me keep my fingers out of the blades. Conveniently, I have framed it to fit a 24x24 filter nicely.



Not a ton of progress but I have started framing for the ceiling. With the rafters on 48" centers, I need some extra support or the OSB will sag.

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It's a lot of trips up the 8' ladder working by yourself so this part is not going as fast as I'd like. Put getting there. Maybe ready for ceiling by the weekend.

 

[IDIoit]

those metal hangers make things alot easier. or some 2x4 screwed to the bottom to let the stud rest on as you work on it.

 

[laserjock]

those metal hangers make things alot easier. or some 2x4 screwed to the bottom to let the stud rest on as you work on it.

I actually don't like the metal hangers for this. They were okay on the end because it was hard to fasten the ends but that's 4 screws in each one plus a screw through the joist. It really doesn't matter if they are 3" or 1.25", getting them started is the PIA. It would be a pile of them too and they are a buck or two a piece.

You hit the nail on the head though. I have a stick of plywood that I screw up to catch 2 at a time. That lets me do one end of two and then move the ladder and do the other end. That's not too bad.

 

[laserjock]

Finally got the framing done.

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It pains me to leave big red outside but she rolls so out she had to go to make progress.

I borrowed a drywall jack. It lifts 11'5". Ceiling is 12'. [emoji53]

I could get a 15' extension for like $60 or I did this for less than $20.

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12" lift kit. Pin is 7/8". 1 1/4" OD 7/8" ID tube. Slip them together and put a little weld on it and we are good to go.

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Touches firmly with no sheeting and plenty of air to spare.

Next up is sheathing. To paint before or after. That will be the next question.

 

[Knuckledragger]

Don't know if it will hep at this point, but old time paint booths had a waterfall in front of the exhaust fan to trap all of the overspray. It works crazy good and takes dust out of the air, too. You look to have space in front of the fan if you want to try it.

 

[laserjock]

Got the 7/16 OSB for the ceiling. Started painting. Went with this.

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It's exterior. It's thick and its cheap. 14.99 a gallon or 59.99 for 5. It's from tractor supply and the same brand as the implement paint I've been using so I figured what the heck.

Definitely needs 2 coats but I did not prime either.

Here's the first 4 sheets.

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First coat dried in about 35 minutes. Put a second coat on and I'll see what it is in the morning. Looked good after the second coat. Easiest ceiling I've ever painted.

Making slow progress.

Edit: for reference, 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of paint works pretty well. 2 coats of paint isn't quite enough.

 

[laserjock]

Ceiling going up.

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Need to fill in along the wall. Put some more screws in as I hang the lights. I may give it another quick coat of paint.

I also put longer lag screws in the fan that hold.

I put this together to help drag the truck back inside. I pushed it in the other day and it about did me in.

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Hopefully I don't rip it off the post or cave the wall in.

 

[F350camper]

cool idea Mike with the winch Mike. Have you tried it yet?

 

[bbjordan]

Nice shop! I like the winch idea. I had to get a truck in my garage and had to do it old school. I opened the window at the end of the garage, and screwed a 2x4 to the outside of the window trim. Hooked up a chain and a come-along and cranked it in manually. Hey, I'm a one man show.

 

[laserjock]

I have used it but it was attached to the half ton parked out back. I backed up to the back door. Worked great. It's remote control too. [emoji6]

I've used it enough already to have it paid for itself. The atv winch is plenty strong to move a rolling vehicle.

Same problem here. When you are working by yourself you have to work smarter not harder.