Area to spray finishes in...

[drumpriest]

As it was 12 degrees here last night, I decided that I need a way to spray lacquer in the house. I'm using the super-green USL, and I will be using a box fan with an allergen furnace filter in the spray area, but I have a few large cast iron machines in my shop, and no dedicated spray area. Here is what we came up with to solve the problem, opinions appreciated.



There is 1 more side to go up, but my drill battery died, so that'll be for tomorrow night. a 3 sided 5' spray area made from BORG cheapy drop cloths. I used 12' long ones and we stitched together 2 of them (well, my friend did anyway) and grommetted the top. I don't know how long it'll last as I've already torn the side (see blue tape) in handling. I think I need to cut it down to about 9'. I want it to drape the floor slightly so that I can park heavy stuff on the bottom and not have the HVLP system blow the curtain around the room.

Anyway, quick up and down was the goal, and to keep water based finish off of my tools. What do you all think?

[jking]

I think it work for keeping the laquer contained. I would be just as concerned about dust migrating in before the finish dries. I'm sure you've probably thought about that issue. The plus that you have is how quickly laquer finishes dry.

I wonder what the laquer will do to the plastic drop cloth? Will the overspray damage the plastic?

[jhart]

I bought 4 of the HF "third hand" type of helpers and used them to put up plastic similar to what you did when I did some spraying in my basement shop (primer and then Latex). Worked pretty well. Quick up/down and very portable.

[docrowan]

I have just spent the last three days spraying 4 interior doors, two chairs, a changing table and a small bookcase with various waterbased paints in a borrowed empty two car garage. (We have a son due week after next and are in serious nesting mode.) I used the HF HVLP sprayer and Kilz 2 Latex, Zinsser Bullseye Primer, and two colors of acrylic latex. I kept the garage heated all the time with an oil-filled electric radiator, plus two 500W halogen lights while I was working.

It worked well, but the overspray turned in to an extremely fine dust that made its way all over the garage. The dust was dry so there's no danger of it sticking to anything, but I'll have to shop vac the garage in order to get rid of it all. Also, the dust settled on the horizontal surfaces of the bookshelf. Not a big deal for a bookshelf in a baby room, but it would have ruined a fine furniture finish.

Granted, this was a tremendous amount of paint in a short period of time, but I would not want to try this in my home. As long as your room is sealed off from the rest of the house and you're only doing a couple of projects, it may not be too bad.

[drumpriest]

jking, I have sprayed in there before, just some small stuff, and certainly dust is a concern, but it's this or nothing until spring, which seems unrealistic.

Chris - no paint, acrylic lacquer, apparently it'll turn to acrylic dust within 2 feet of the nozzle, which is in large part what the air cleaner is for in the setup.

[docrowan]

Chris - no paint, acrylic lacquer, apparently it'll turn to acrylic dust within 2 feet of the nozzle, which is in large part what the air cleaner is for in the setup.

Duh! I missed the air cleaner in the foreground of your picture.

[drumpriest]

Nah, that's my DC. In the above posting I said.

"I will be using a box fan with an allergen furnace filter in the spray area"

That'll be the right up close filter, I also have a jet ambient air cleaner, just behind the curtain.

[cabinetman]

If you're spraying what's called WB lacquer, it's basically a WB polyurethane, and will stay atomized in the air (wet) much longer than acetone based (lacquer thinner) lacquer. Confining the spray area without evacuating the overspray will seriously concentrate the area with spray mist. You may be using a respirator, but the ability for the absorption into the body can happen through the eyes, ears, scalp, and in general the skin surface. I'm mentioning this before getting into what it does to the room and anything in it.

If you want to drape an area, do it near an outside window or doorway if you have one, and place a fan or two exhausting the overspray. Drape around that area so the confines can be exhausted. A fan with a filter may not cut it. You need a source of air to enter, and the fan to exit the air.

I made a mock up spray booth in one of my shops. The spray area was 20' long and 15' wide, with a 12' high ceiling. In the picture below, I used one of those hospital pull drape hardware, and went to Sherwin Williams and bought heavy duck canvas drop cloths. The view in the picture was the 20' run. Opposite the drape on an exterior wall were four 20" box fans framed out in windows. With the fans running, the drapes would pull in towards the spray area. I had to weigh down the bottom edge. It would remove all overspray completely. The fresh air entered from the top, and since it was so close to the ceiling, very little if any dust got in.
.

.