Speedmotion Rockets Spray Booth

The air supply system is an important part of the paint booth, both for quality as well as safety.

I use a 60 Gal 10.3 scfm @ 90psi compressor, the kind that is readily available at home improvement stores. It works well for the supply required by by spray guns, the primer gun requiring the highest volumn supply.

I use DiVilbiss spray guns.

At first, I used only an air filter in the air line. But, occasionally, I'd get defects in the paint caused by drops of water from moisture getting though the filter and condensing into drops. I added a desiccant dryer to the line supplying the boot, and I've not had any problems since. This is the system I use.

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When using these paints, safety has to bee the primary concern. A high quality mask, gloves, and complete skin coverage is a must. The clearcoats are particularly dangerous because they contain isocyanate curatives. Most charcoal filter masks are not rated for isocyanate paints. Although 3M claims their TC-23C Organic Vapor filter is OK to use for isocyanate paints when changed regularly, I prefer to use a supplied air mask.

I use a Survival Air Systems Opti-Fit mask supplied by an SAS Pure-Air 2000 system breathing air filtration system that uses the compressed air line to supply the air. The Pure-Air 2000 includes a separate regulator and charcoal filter in a unit that attaches to a belt. The charcoal filter removes any oil from the compressor to produce breathable quality air.

The Pure-Air 2000 system is available at Amazon

I find the convince of a single air supply line for both the gun and mask works well. The compressor must be in a location where is is not exposed to the paint fumes on the exhaust side of the paint booth.

Supplying the air mask does tax the compressor more, but I find my 60 Gal 10.3 scfm @ 90psi compressor keeps up with the mask and my primer gun.

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There is a possibility that the compressor can create carbon monoxide if it runs too hot, by partially combusting the compressor oil. The SAS system has an optional carbon monoxide monitor, the Micro III, for the Pure-Air 2000 system that also clips to the belt.

I bought one of these just to be safe. The unit is easy to use. I have found that the CO level. So far, I have found that the carbon monoxide level never moves off the 0ppm ambient level, even after the compressor has been running steadily during a painting session. The monitor alarm comes pre-set to the maximum recommended level of 30ppm.