Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi guys

I know nothing about spraying so please forgive the stupid questions.

I've just made a drying cabinet and screwed it onto the w'shop wall. I was intending to spray outside then put the guitar into the drying booth. However, seeing the cabinet I'm thinking that I've got a great spray booth! I could easily rig up some plastic sheeting to create a temp inclosure whilst spraying.

My question is about extractor fans of which I know knothing. I cannot afford a 'bomb-proof' fan but I'm NOT spraying nitro. I will be spraying Waterbase and/or Rockhard.

Will an ordinary household extractor fan do the job?? Maybe two fans??

Many thanks

Mat

Mathew, I've sprayed a number of guitars with USL (waterbased). I set up a "knock-down" booth in my shop which I vent directly into my dust collector (I empty, then wash the bags first). The booth is basically two "bi-fold" doors that were available.

_________________
Dave
Milton, ON

Here's one idea from Tim McKnight; it used to be available on the OLF, but I can't find it now:

http://65.254.85.186/pages/jig_tools_te ... ybooth.htm

jack

I have access to an automotive paint booth so I haven't made one.....but I've got some observations.

1. If you're going to use your dust collector as an exhaust fan (assuming it's outside, and you're spraying inside) just remove the bags. Use it as an exhaust fan bagless. The paint mist will clog the bags killing the suction of the dust collector. Paint mist can also clog filters in HVAC systems.

2. Is Rockhard flammable? I suspect it is, even though it's probably safer than Nitro you may still need the correct fan. There's alot of people around here smarter than me who'll know.

3. There's a big problem with spraying outside this time of the year...........BUGS

_________________
I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

I used plans at this site to build a spray booth. I use a box fan hung from a cross tube with a furnace filter in front of it. Comes apart and takes no space. http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Paint-B ... our-Garage

_________________
A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

-

However you do it, you need to either set it up in a dust-free area, or filter the air coming INTO the booth. Otherwise, if you're just pulling air to exhaust it, dust will come along for the ride.

_________________
The member formerly known as erikbojerik....

Thanks for the advice - and especially the links
Tony - that cardboard booth is way cool.
Cheers
Mat

If you need to have pre-filter for the incoming air anyway, could you have a fan sending 'clean air' in, with vents for the 'bad air' to get out? You would need to control the amount of airflow, to keep the 'wind speed' down in the booth, but it would solve the explosion-proof fan issue.

-Matthew

I try to spray my big areas like the top and back while they are horizontal to help eliminate runs, and sags. I am not very experienced but I thought I would offer the suggestion. When I sprayed waterborn finishes I sweep, vacuum out my garage, and cover every thing with plastic, I close my garage most of the way and seal the opening with plastic. I use a fan under the door to exhaust the schmutz. No dust, no problem. I spray the neck first with the front facing down with two cups supporting the guitar, one on the bridge and 1 on the finger board. Then I spray the sides, and then the back. After the finish is hard enough, I roll it over and do the top and the headstock. Using Ktm 9, I could roll over the guitar every 45 minutes and never left any marks. Only spray when humidity is low. I have used an IR heater to keep the room hot when it is not. Hope this helps!

John Nowicki

_________________
John Nowicki