A paint booth can help you paint projects cleanly and neatly without splattering paint. To build a booth in your garage, build a frame out of PVC pipe, plastic sheet, and duct tape. You'll also need a box fan and a filter for ventilation. With simple tools like this, you can create a booth that is suitable for painting using a can of spray paint and a gun.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Measuring and Cutting Pipe
Step 1. Measure to determine the dimensions of the booth
The project you will be working on and the size of the garage affect the dimensions of the booth. A 2.5 m wide paint booth is suitable for a large garage or patio and is generally sufficient for a car. However, a booth measuring 2.5 m x 1.5 m is sufficient for various types of projects. This measure will be used in the example below.
The garage for one car is usually 2.7 m x 3.0 m although sometimes it can reach 3.7 m x 4 m
Step 2. Sketch the skeleton to determine the number of pipes needed
The frame requires vertical tubing at each corner and vertical supports at the back and both sides of the wall. The frame also requires horizontal pipes in the center of the back and on the sides.
For example, for a test project, you will need 9 3.0 m PVC pipes 3.2 cm in diameter. This diameter is strong enough for a wide variety of projects. PVC pipe is usually sold per 3.0 m
Step 3. Determine the length of pipe needed to build the booth
Divide the sides in half at the top for better support. Also divide the top of the center pipe in half to better support the middle. Determine the booth height. Consider the height of the garage. Remember that the vertical pipe will be split in half anyway. Mark on your sketch the length of each section you want. All pipes to be installed in parallel must be the same length.
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For the sample design, the parts you will need include:
- 3 pipes 2.5 m (8 ft) long
- 1 pipe 1.82 m (5 ft 11.) long 3/4 inch)
- 2 pipes 1,216 m (3 ft 11.) long 7/8 inch)
- 2 pipes 1.2 m (4 ft) long
- 6 pipes 0.9 m (3 ft) long
- 2 pipes 0.8 m (2 ft 7. long)3/4 inch)
- 2 pipes 0.67 m long (26 3/8 inch)
- 2 pipes 0.5 m (20 in) long
- 8 pipes 6.35 cm (2.) long 1/2 inch)
Step 4. Mark where you will cut the pipe
Collect the pipes and measure each pipe you need. Use a permanent marker to mark the part you are going to cut. Spread the pipe out to make sure the marks are right before you start cutting.
Step 5. Cut the pipe according to the marks you have made
Lay the pipe on the workbench with the boards on the sides or on the table with tongs. Use a PVC saw or pipe cutter to cut the pipe in the areas you have marked. Slide the saw with a small amount of pressure to cut the pipe.
Use square sponge sandpaper to clean the ends of the pipe
Step 6. Demonstrate how the pipes will be joined
Place the elbow pipe and the T joint in the position where the 3 pipes meet. You'll also need a small section to attach the T joints to the elbows at the corners of the frame.
- Check the pipe that is 0.9 m (3 ft) long and choose the one with the most flat ends. These pipes will form four booth posts touching the floor. Place two more pipes in front of each side to form a skeleton connection above it. The two pipes for the upper frame are 0.8 m (2 ft 7.)3/4inch).
- Three 2.5 m (8 ft) pipes will be installed horizontally. One on the front and two on the back. The two pipes at the back will form the top and middle frames. One 1.82 m (5 ft 11.) pipe 3/4inches) will be installed vertically in the center.
- 1.2 m (4 ft) of pipes will be installed horizontally on both sides of the booth in the center. For both sides of the top, two pipes are needed. One pipe measuring 0.67 m (26 3/8inch) is mounted horizontally at the front and a single 0.5 m (20 in) pipe is installed horizontally at the rear.
Part 2 of 4: Connecting Pipes
Step 1. Install T joints and elbow joints on each corner post
Start at the front corner. Place the T-joint over the 0.9 m (3 ft) pipe then use the smaller 6.35 cm (2.) pipe 1/2inches) at the forward-facing joint. Attach the elbow joint to the small pipe. This section will be the support for the top pole. Do the same for the 0.8 m (2 ft 7.) pipe3/4inch). This pipe will be the top of the back. In this section, the elbow joint is pointing backwards.
If possible, ask someone to assist you with assembling the booth
Step 2. Assemble the other corners using T joints
For the front, connect one 0.9 m (3 ft) pipe with a T joint. Route the T joint opening towards the back of the booth. For the back, use a small pipe measuring 6.35 cm (2 1/2inches) to connect the two T joints in the center of the post. Drive one T joint forward and another to the side (back of the booth).
Step 3. Build the sides of the booth using corner posts and some joints
At the top, connect the front corner posts with 0.67 m (26.) pipe 3/8-inch). Add a T joint and one 0.5 m (20 in) pipe. Connect the end of the 0.5 m pipe to the back corner post. Install a 1.2 m (4 ft) pipe to connect the front corner post and back corner post. Install this pipe at the height of half the corner post. On both sides of the top, there are T joints. Install a small (6.35 cm or 2.) pipe 1/2inches) to this joint and add an elbow joint. Direct the elbow joint towards the center.
Do the same for the other side
Step 4. Connect the two sides of the booth using a long pipe
Create a single post for the center of the booth by joining 1.82 m (5 ft 11.) pipe together 3/4inch) with a T joint. Add 1.22 m (3 ft 11.) pipe 7/8inches) on both sides of the T joint. Place this section in the center of the booth. Insert the ends of the 1.22 m pipe into both sides at the top. Add three 2.5 m (8 ft) pipe. Install one pipe on the top of the front, one pipe on the top of the back, and one on the center of the back.
Do not tighten the circuit until all the posts are in place
Step 5. Tighten by pushing the entire pipe into the PVC joint
It is not easy to damage PVC pipes and joints using bare hands. So, push the pipe into the joint firmly so that the frame of the booth is completely threaded. You may have to twist the pipe slightly to tighten it.
Part 3 of 4: Closing Stan
Step 1. Lay a 3.0 m x 7. 6 m plastic sheet over the entire surface of the booth
Lay the longest part from one side, up and to the other side. Pull until it covers the back completely. Leave a little at the front to cover the pipe, about 30 cm.
Step 2. Cut and glue the plastic all over the back
If you have one, use tweezers to hold the plastic together when you glue the plastic together. Make sure the bottom of the plastic is aligned with the bottom of the booth then cut the plastic along the corner posts from the bottom to the top. Tape the ends of the plastic around the corner posts using duct tape.
If you're having trouble gluing the duct tape, place the duct tape over the plastic and PVC posts. Make a small hole in the plastic then glue the plastic to the inside of the pole. Use a cable tie or zip tie, insert it into the small hole, tie the pole, duct tape, and plastic. Tighten the cable tie so that the plastic sticks perfectly
Step 3. Cut and glue the plastic on the back right and left
Flatten the plastic on the sides of the stand and cut from the bottom to the top corner in a straight line. Glue the plastic ends to the posts at the back, sealing along the sides with duct tape. Do the same for the other end.
Cut a large square at each end of the plastic. Save the cut to cover the front
Step 4. Glue the plastic on the front
Tightly pull the excess hanging plastic, wrap the plastic around the pole at the front, and glue it to the plastic itself. Hang the plastic piece you cut earlier on the front. Glue along the top of the front of the post. This plastic should cover the entire front. Close the connection using duct tape.
- Leave two plastic sheets on the front except for the very bottom and top. When you enter the paint booth, seal it tightly with tongs.
- If the front is not completely covered, you may have to use additional plastic.
Step 5. Spread 1.2 m x 4.6 m canvas or drop cloth in the booth
Position it so that each end is directly under the legs of the booth. Make sure the fabric is flat by pressing any wrinkles or air bubbles. Lift the legs of the booth one at a time to push the ends of the fabric under the legs of the booth.
If the fabric doesn't fit snugly or doesn't line up with the legs of the booth, recheck the legs. Each leg should be perpendicular to the ground. Change as needed
Step 6. Secure the plastic lining inside the booth
Glue to the edges in the booth and canvas fabric. Starting from one side, glue the plastic to the fabric using duct tape. Use a strip of duct tape to seal the joint tightly. This process will keep the plastic and fabric in place.
Part 4 of 4: Adjusting the Ventilation
Step 1. Create the frame for the box fan
Using a folding ladder, cardboard box, or other non-permanent frame, place the box fan in a position that will at least help clean the center of the paint booth's PVC pipe. Place the frame on one of the outsides of the booth.
If necessary, due to space constraints, place the frame approximately 2.5 cm from the center PVC pipe. The ladder legs will be in the booth, but covered in plastic
Step 2. Make a hole for the fan
Make a hole about the same size as the fan. The hole should be as high as the position where you will place the fan. Pull the plastic over the sides of the fan and seal it with duct tape. If needed, add extra plastic to seal tightly.
Step 3. Aim the fan into the booth
You create positive pressure, meaning you blow air in and out through another filter. If you draw water from the booth into the fan, harmful fumes will enter the fan engine.
Step 4. Glue the furnace filter to the back of the fan
You don't want to blow dust into the booth. So, choose a filter the size of a fan. Adhere to the back of the fan using duct tape.
You can also do the opposite. You can glue the filter to the side of the booth instead of the back of the fan. Point the fan at the filter
Step 5. Attach the furnace filter to the plastic using duct tape
Make a hole the size of the filter opposite the fan. Glue to the plastic. Make sure each side is sealed. Use duct tape.
When using a paint booth, always turn on the fan
Step 6. Change filters regularly
The furnace filter will eventually be full of paint splatter and dust. Every time you change the filter, remove the duct tape or cut the duct tape with a knife. If you use a knife, be careful. Don't cut the plastic!
It can be helpful to use a different color of duct tape every time you change the filter so you know what duct tape to remove or cut without touching the wrong duct tape
Tips
- Using PVC is an easy job if you are making a non-permanent structure. PVC pipes are very easy to fit into the joint due to friction. You can remove it if needed. If you want to make it permanent, use a special PVC pipe glue (called PVC Weld). This glue melts the surface of the PVC pipe so that the pipe sticks together.
- Blowing air onto the surface of the plastic layer can cause a build-up of static electricity that can be transferred to the painting object. To prevent this from happening, place the painting object as far away from the plastic as possible.
- If this project seems too difficult, try attaching plastic trusses from the ceiling using hooks. Make sure you have good ventilation. To seal the plastic, roll the bottom of the plastic around a wooden plank and use tweezers to keep the roll from slipping.
Warning
- Make sure the place where you build the paint booth has proper ventilation and always keep the fan on while you paint.
- If you are using a box fan, make sure you only use water-based products as unstable paint solvents and fan motors can provoke sparks. Have a light fire extinguisher ready just in case.
- Always wear a respirator and eye protection when painting. If you can still smell the paint through the respirator, you should check to see if the respirator is installed correctly or if the cartridge needs to be replaced.
- Painted air filters are highly flammable. Catalyzed paint (for example, two-component car paint) heats up in the drying process and can cause the filter to burn. After you finish painting, remove the filter and immerse it in water to reduce the risk of fire. Don't neglect filters with wet paint.
- Make sure the construction of a legal paint booth is done!
