* Do this at your own risk.*
Add this to the list of things I should have done a long time ago. This DIY garage paint booth has changed the way I work and I am totally smitten. I’ve been using a paint sprayer for about a year now. In the past, each time I would start a project, I would spend almost half a day setting up some sort of paint booth situation.
I would line up everything that needed to be painted and spend a week pulling things in and out of the booth to get them done quickly so I could take down the plastic so Hubs could have his garage back. That got so old. It took up so much room and sooo much time. After taping plastic to the ceiling and pulling it down, no matter how careful I was, I would get the tape stuck to the plastic and then it would tear and I would have to trash it. So I was also spending more money than was really necessary. I searched online forever to find some sort of solution and I finally found this post over at Anyone Can Decorate, but I did some tweaking.
I keep calling this a convertible paint booth, but to me that implies that it doesn’t have a top, which it does, so that’s all wrong. A pants-less paint booth? That also seems a little misleading. Either way, It’s semi-permanent so I can roll it up and out of the way when it is not in use.
Here’s a crazy fast .gif so you can see how it works.
Shout out to Hubs for all the help on this one. Here’s how we did it:
We started by measuring out the area – it ended up being about 10 feet by 12 feet, which was determined by the outlet placement on the back wall, the window on the side wall and some pesky cabinets. We measured out the area and purchased 1×2’s and a package of this plastic sheeting. We already had a bunch of these giant hooks that were left in the ceiling from the previous owners so we just removed them and put them where we needed them.
We wrapped the plastic around the 1×2’s (which were only .96 cents each) and then screwed the wood to the ceiling and then added the hooks. At the bottom of the sheeting, we used tape to attach the plastic to another piece of 1×2 so that when it is rolled up it can just sit in the hooks, up and out of the way.
I put a box fan in the window, pointing outwards, to help suck some of the paint out of the booth…
…and added a filter to it to somewhat protect the fan.
I flipped on the fan to test the suction by throwing a piece of sandpaper against it.
So…. I read A LOT of tutorials and “pro advice” on paint booths and it seems as though a box fan in the window is not an ideal situation, so, insert your criticisms here. If you have some sort of cost effective solution to address the paint-in-the-fan-motor issue, your polite and friendly suggestions are welcome. Don’t be a troll.
I do wear a hardcore paint mask and goggles. After putting the fan in the window, I put up the plastic on the back and side walls.
Then I did the floor.
I ran out of paper, so I just used some scraps of plastic. I would advise against using the plastic on the floor as it gets very slippery once it has paint and paint dust on it. I would be so awful to have a nice flawless finish on something and then do a face plant right into it. Once the floor covering was down, I trimmed the plastic on the walls and taped it down using frog tape. And I might have gone a little frog tape crazy trying to make sure the fan area was airtight so I could get maximum suckage. Insert joke.
So now I can leave this thing up year round and get my paint on anytime. The floor needs a good sweep and vacuum after each paint, but that’s way less work than setting up and tearing down a makeshift booth each time.
There is a slight opening on the corner where I enter and exit. Before painting, I just slide the bottom piece of wood over to close the gap and then use binder clips to seal it. It does leave a gap at the top a little bit, but ya know… math is hard.
Once I’m done spraying, I roll up one side and put a high powered fan there to push air across the piece as well as help push air out window.
I always keep the garage door open when doing this and also chose not to enclose the garage light in the booth since that seems like a worse fire hazard than the fan motor situation. Plus, the sun rises on that side of the house and I’m usually painting in the A.M.
With the fan, plastic sheeting, filter and wood, this cost about $55 bucks and has completely changed the way I work.
Okay, crazy fast .gif time:
dena@heartsandsharts.com
Sutton Turner says
October 31, 2018 at 12:25 pmI like how you suggested to first measure out the area for the spray booth. I need to make a spray booth to paint some tables. Thanks for the tips on spray booths.
Len Turnet says
May 20, 2017 at 7:38 pmHaven’t read through all comments so if someone has already mentioned this i apologize. Use a pressure system. That is mount your fan outside your booth on some sort of frame and draw air from the garage and blow it into your spray booth. The air us then simply vented out your window avoiding the risk associated with explosion due to vapour passing around and through the window mounted fan motor. This system would deliver filtered air across your work piece and yourself. Wall or ceiling mounted fans are common in spray booths in industry.
Hearts&Sharts says
January 8, 2018 at 11:13 amThanks, Len!
Wendy M. says
January 12, 2017 at 9:52 amHi Dena,
I noticed in your reply to Judy’s suggestion of using chalk paint, that you said that you have never used chalk paint & you don’t expect that you ever will & that you “enjoy the process of properly prepping a piece of furniture, so the sanding and priming is not an issue”. Do you mean that you don’t sand & prime before spray painting, or that you enjoy the sanding & priming? If not, would you be kind enough to tell me what you do to prepare your furniture pieces … & if you use sandpaper, what grade do you use please?
I’m only very relatively new to furniture painting and to date have only used a semi gloss water based enamel paint & a brush or roller. However I’m planning to buy a spray gun & was considering setting up a spray booth something similar to that which you’ve set up … but instead of using the plastic, I’d considered using painters drop sheets. I hadn’t thought of putting them on a roller though, just drawing them back like drapes. I’m fortunate not to have a husband to worry about with whom I share the garage, apart from my poor little car that’s sat out in the weather for the 3 years since I bought it … & of course …. my rather substantial furniture collection (others say ‘hoard’ but when it’s been less than 3 years, surely it can’t be referred to as a ‘hoard’ .. lol) …
I’ve really enjoyed discovering your site … but especially looking at all your work …
Cheers & thanks in advance for any advice you care to share with me …. Wendy M. from Oz … 🙂
Hearts&Sharts says
January 12, 2017 at 11:57 amHey Wendy! Thank you! I do enjoy the sanding and priming process, it’s nice to kinda zone out and just do some manual labor. Here’s my full process –> https://www.heartsandsharts.com/prep-and-painting-process/ Love to hear that you are thinking of creating a paint booth! If I could suggest one thing: don’t use the fabric painters drop cloths – Unless you have an amazing skylight or something in the garage, you won’t be able to see a thing. I did a piece of navy blue furniture and got it all over my clear plastic and even with the window in the booth, could barely see a thing. Luckily, after a few days I was able to pull the paint off of the plastic (it was on there THICK). Hope this helps!
Randal says
August 2, 2016 at 10:03 amThis a very clever idea!
Water based paints, as several have noted should be fairly safe. I would NOT however use any solvent based paint such as oil based or lacquer based. They’re highly flammable and I have first had knowledge that a fan motor can cause awful explosions.
* Iturn my fans on before begining a project and wait until the paint fog has settled before shutting things down, just to be on the safe side.
*I’ve also seen paint exiting the fan attaching to my house when I’ve used darker colors at times. You could double up on filters or purchase finer versions to help.
Great job and inspiring!
Hearts&Sharts says
August 14, 2016 at 9:28 amOh, goodness. I hate to hear that you’ve hand ANY kind of experience with explosions. Thank you so much for the info! When I use oil-based (which is only in the form or spray paint), I leave one side of the booth up and the garage is always open. Thank you, Randal!!!
Steve says
July 24, 2016 at 9:25 amIf there’s “make-up” air, i.e. fresh air being added to the booth, I think the concerns about explosion would be reduced. You’d also reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. Run a length of those fold-up play tunnels the kids use, and attach it to the booth and the front of another fan. Open the garage door just enough to supply the fan with fresh air, and voila…..
Hearts&Sharts says
August 14, 2016 at 9:29 amI do always leave the garage open and there is a tiny crack for air to get into the booth but this is great advice. More air can’t hurt right? Or can it?
Bob Nellis says
January 2, 2018 at 9:45 pmTo help safely remove fumes, a better system would be to “push” the air into the booth so the fan motor is not exposed to the fumes. Add an air filter to the intake side of the fan and fit a filter to the window opening. Instead of creating a negative air pressure effect, (drawing air out), you now have a positive pressure pushing the air into the booth and then out the filter at the window. You may need more clips at the corner opening and/or add weights to the floor boards to prevent a ballooning effect. Also consider the air exist should be about double the area of the fan.
Thanks, Bob N.
Hearts&Sharts says
January 8, 2018 at 10:47 amThank you for the info, Bob! We have since moved and I have dismantled the booth but I will leave this here because this is great info. Thank you!!
Reckordkustoms says
July 21, 2016 at 5:06 amThe common misconception is that water based paint are solvent free. This is incorrect. Most water based paints still contain a small amount of solvent. A fan rated class 1 div 1 is safe to use in a paint environment.
Hearts&Sharts says
July 21, 2016 at 6:20 amThank you for the info!!
Robert Carlson says
January 10, 2016 at 10:41 amPLEASE DO NOT USE THIS SPRAY BOOTH! This is a bomb waiting to occur. Spray paint in a can is propelled by butane, a highly flammable gas that ignites explosively. There will be no time to get your handy fire extinguisher. I t will ignite without warning as soon as the explosive limits have been met. That’s the right fuel to air mixture. The only good your extinguisher will be is for someone to extinguish your smoldering remains. The box fan, because it does not have an explosion proof motor will be the source for ignition. Another potential ignition source will be from static electricity from the plastic. You could use this booth 1000 times and never get the right mixture. The 1001 use could be your last so don’t discount what I say because you’ve used it for years. Spray booths in industry have been regulated for years because of this extreme fire hazard. I appologise if my post seems abrupt but the information I provide is crutial for your survival. Oh, and if you’re using compressed air as a propellant, same thing applies. The atomized paint as well as the paints own vapors will ignite the same way. See NFPA 33 for reference.
dholley81 says
January 10, 2016 at 12:43 pmThank you, Robert! I don’t use spray paint or compressed air in the booth, but do use HVLP sprayer. Do you have any suggestions as to what can I do to make this safe? Recommendations as to what I should replace the fan and plastic with?
Rachel, aka Queen Patina says
February 8, 2016 at 7:21 pmHi Dena,
I’ve done some reading on the subject in preparation for my own booth (explosion proof fans and the like) and everything I’ve read has suggested that it’s only when one uses oil-based products that this is a concern. I could be wrong, but having read a number of articles by Jeff Jewitt and other finishing authorities, I’m pretty sure waterbased/waterborne products are a-okay. 🙂
Hearts&Sharts says
February 9, 2016 at 9:34 amOhmygoodness, Rachel! Thank you so much for this info!!!! I have a line of stuff waiting to be painted in the yard when it warms up because I’ve been so scared to get in the booth. I’m gonna Google Jeff Jewitt … Thank you!
Rachel, aka Queen Patina says
February 12, 2016 at 10:51 pmGlad to help a sister out! I don’t love the idea of being crispified. at. all. Now to start on those pieces…
simon says
May 3, 2016 at 6:01 pmYou are quite safe with water based paints and lacquers.
Hearts&Sharts says
May 4, 2016 at 9:09 amOh! Wonderful news! Thank you, Simon!
Derick says
May 2, 2016 at 11:23 ami use a grace true coat pro 2 paint gun. and i use water base paint. i do not use spray cans. i want to make something like this do paint my larger projects. would i be safe with this application?
Hearts&Sharts says
May 4, 2016 at 9:12 amDerick, a previous commenter says that you’re safe with water based paints. Do your research and be cautious. 🙂
Brenda Young says
August 25, 2015 at 6:16 pmFabulous booth ! I was looking for a way to create my own temporary booth, now I’ve got a great jumping point thanks for sharing your solution! defiantly pinning for later !
Hearts & Sharts says
September 12, 2015 at 10:01 pmThanks, Brenda! Happy painting!
Christina says
August 4, 2015 at 4:31 pmHi Dena!
Thank you – thank you – thank you SO much for this brilliant post! I spray high gloss paint finishes for my furniture business and thought that dust problems would be the death of me. I’ve been trying to figure out how to make my small space double as workshop/storage and function as a spray booth when I need it to. I don’t have a garage, but I took your ideas and built something similar in my little workshop. I’m putting the finishing touches on it today, but I look forward to giving it a test run and will send all of my blog readers to your site for the full details on how to build this. Thank you again! ~Christina
Hearts & Sharts says
August 6, 2015 at 7:39 amAWESOME! I do high gloss as well and dust will kill everything! I am so glad this is going to work for you. It has been a serious game changer for me. Being able to work more efficiently makes me feel strangely powerful. Wishing you lots of success in your business!
Lane says
April 28, 2017 at 12:24 pmWhat kind of sprayer do you use?
Hearts&Sharts says
January 8, 2018 at 11:15 amI use a Wagner Flexio. I love it and it’s lasted for about three years now (with lots of use).
Maicon says
July 31, 2015 at 3:39 amWonderful idea! …and for the fan in the window: whatever works! We skim coated and sanded our kitchen ceiling & did the same thing. Something is better than nothing!
Hearts & Sharts says
August 2, 2015 at 9:21 amOh my goodness! Sanding a kitchen ceiling sounds like an awful job! Thank you, Maicon!
Carol says
July 14, 2015 at 11:12 pmYou did an awesome job! I will definitely remember this when I finally have the time to do all the painting I have been planning on doing for ages. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hearts & Sharts says
July 21, 2015 at 12:59 pmThank you, Carol! Happy painting!!!
Lynn White says
July 4, 2015 at 2:04 pmLove your paint booth – I don’t do much spraying anymore since I like more of an artistic look (except for chairs) but you have provided a fantastic solution for those who need to regularly spray. I also love the fact that your garage is actually usable…..mine is now full of furniture… Yikes!
Hearts & Sharts says
July 7, 2015 at 9:39 amThank you, Lynn! I love your shop! That’s such a great idea!
Trisha D. @Black and White Obsession says
May 29, 2015 at 11:25 amSuch a genius solution to such an annoying problem. $55 is totally worth it! I’m so glad you shared a shot of your plastered frog-tape method- I thought I was the only one that went a little over-kill sometimes!
Hearts & Sharts says
May 30, 2015 at 6:11 pmFrog Tape is the bomb. Is there really such thing as too much?
Anna says
May 28, 2015 at 11:29 amWonderful idea! …and for the fan in the window: whatever works! We skim coated and sanded our kitchen ceiling & did the same thing. Something is better than nothing!
Hearts & Sharts says
May 28, 2015 at 11:35 amThanks, Anna! I read a lot of internet “experts” that said that the motor could spark… So, hopefully it won’t…? Ha!
Meadow Bliss says
May 28, 2015 at 12:35 amSuch a great idea! Loving it. This would make for EVERYTHING to be painted in my house.
Hearts & Sharts says
May 28, 2015 at 10:03 amGirrrrrl, that is the plan! Thank you!!
kathy reilly says
May 27, 2015 at 8:06 pmLove this idea!! Two comments though.. How do you keep the space from accumulating “stuff”when you are not spraying and what do you do in the summer when it’s so hot and humid? I am guesimg it stays warm enough in the winter to not need heat?
Hearts & Sharts says
May 28, 2015 at 10:10 amThanks, Kathy! When the sides are up, it’s hard to keep dust and stuff out of it but before painting something, I have been sweeping it out and then going over it with the shop vac. The blower works well, too. When it’s hot a humid, I just take extra care with the dry time – giving the paint lots of extra time to dry all the way through before adding another coat. Having a heavy duty fan helps as well.
Erin says
May 27, 2015 at 7:47 pmThis is absolutely the best!! If it’s ok with you, we’d love to share your idea on our Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/generalfinishes?ref=tn_tnmn) We have a lot of GF users that spray our products and think they’ll love this idea as much as we do!
Hearts & Sharts says
May 27, 2015 at 7:57 pmYes! Please do! I love you guys so much! Best. Stain. Ever.
Judy Fischer says
May 27, 2015 at 12:47 pmIngenious spray booth, but way easier would be to use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. No VOC’s, no sanding, no priming, you can use it on any surface including plastic and glass, dries in about 20 minutes so you can put on second coat after you take a coffee break! You can paint inside your house with absolutely no odors and it cleans up with water. Check it out a dealer near you or online. No, I am not a dealer, just a huge fan of this product!
Hearts & Sharts says
May 27, 2015 at 1:01 pmThank you for the suggestion, Judy. I have never used chalk paint most likely never will. I am not a fan of the look and think it is overused. I enjoy the process of properly prepping a piece of furniture, so the sanding and priming is not an issue.
Theresa @ Beauteeful Living says
May 27, 2015 at 11:22 amWhat a smart idea! Wish we had a garage in our home designated for painting. The previous owners converted our garage into a bigger family room.
darlee says
May 26, 2015 at 8:37 pmGreat Idea….You are so intelligent and seem to use it very wise. Love ya
chris aka monkey says
May 26, 2015 at 12:29 pmdena now thats a great toot xx
Hearts & Sharts says
May 27, 2015 at 4:28 pmThank you, Chris!!!!