Thoughts to build DIY positive air pressure fan for workshop paint space

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D1023319

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#288205 14-Jun-2021 10:24

I have been varnishing but even thought i have surrounded my work area under the house with plastic - i am still getting minute lint

I am thinking I could use a ceiling type fan with a filter to positively pressurise the area with clean air.

There doesnt seem to be anything purpose built and cheap on market so i hinking i will DIY it

Any thoughts on Components to use? Its not a large area

My current job and space

timmmay

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#2728307 14-Jun-2021 10:50

I guess positive pressure from above going through a good quality filter (not a cheap sock filter more like a box filter with a good grade filter in there) could keep dust out, but it could also stir dust on the floor. I wonder how it'd work with plastic sheet walls, it might blow them around.

Is this something you do occasionally as a hobby or do you do a lot of this?

D1023319

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#2728370 14-Jun-2021 11:11

timmmay:

I guess positive pressure from above going through a good quality filter (not a cheap sock filter more like a box filter with a good grade filter in there) could keep dust out, but it could also stir dust on the floor. I wonder how it'd work with plastic sheet walls, it might blow them around.

Is this something you do occasionally as a hobby or do you do a lot of this?

I vacuum the floor and stuff before varnishing with my Nilfisk vac that has good filters

Of course i am thinking of using a good quality filter.

I am not worried about plastic sheets blowing out. The air volume to be moved is only low

Just normal home DIY so not after professional setup worth $$$$$ hence why i have ideas myself of how to build a DIY version with off the shelf parts but i was interested to see component ideas from other

FineWine

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#2728445 14-Jun-2021 11:50

Being an ex coach painter in the RNZAF (70's) where we painted in a hanger with no extractors or a large vehicle size paint shop with extractors or wet back facilities in all cases we ALWAYS vacuumed first then used Tack Cloths.

You use the Tack Cloths just before coating. Sometimes, like large aircraft surfaces in a hanger, one person would be wiping just ahead of the sprayer.

Ensure you wear a hair &/or beard net and your clothing is dust free.

Resene sell Tack Cloths for $6 or you can get a roll from here in Auckland.

Though you can reuse the same Tack Cloth for quite a while.

Hope this helps 😀

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neb

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#2728465 14-Jun-2021 12:24

D1023319:
Any thoughts on Components to use? Its not a large area

Not specific advice but a general comment, there's an awful lot of advice online on DIY spray finishing booths (if you're spraying), I've seen purpose-built ones come up occasionally at industrial equipment auctions but even used they're $$$, much better to DIY it. The main thing to look out for is using nonsparking electrics because you're running them in a fuel-air-explosive mix...

D1023319

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#2728494 14-Jun-2021 13:20

FineWine:

Being an ex coach painter in the RNZAF (70's) where we painted in a hanger with no extractors or a large vehicle size paint shop with extractors or wet back facilities in all cases we ALWAYS vacuumed first then used Tack Cloths.

You use the Tack Cloths just before coating. Sometimes, like large aircraft surfaces in a hanger, one person would be wiping just ahead of the sprayer.

Ensure you wear a hair &/or beard net and your clothing is dust free.

Resene sell Tack Cloths for $6 or you can get a roll from here in Auckland.

Though you can reuse the same Tack Cloth for quite a while.

Hope this helps 😀

THX - FYI - Have been using rag with turps to wipe down just before painting with a brush
I also wear a tyvek full body disposable suit

D1023319

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#2728503 14-Jun-2021 13:23

neb:
D1023319:

Any thoughts on Components to use? Its not a large area

Not specific advice but a general comment, there's an awful lot of advice online on DIY spray finishing booths (if you're spraying), I've seen purpose-built ones come up occasionally at industrial equipment auctions but even used they're $$$, much better to DIY it. The main thing to look out for is using nonsparking electrics because you're running them in a fuel-air-explosive mix...

I am only varnishing with brush

I am thinking a couple of PC fans mounted in bespoke box with my Nilfisk HEP filter in place is prob adequate for minor pressure increase

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FineWine

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#2728506 14-Jun-2021 13:29

D1023319:

FineWine:

Being an ex coach painter in the RNZAF (70's) where we painted in a hanger with no extractors or a large vehicle size paint shop with extractors or wet back facilities in all cases we ALWAYS vacuumed first then used Tack Cloths.

You use the Tack Cloths just before coating. Sometimes, like large aircraft surfaces in a hanger, one person would be wiping just ahead of the sprayer.

Ensure you wear a hair &/or beard net and your clothing is dust free.

Resene sell Tack Cloths for $6 or you can get a roll from here in Auckland.

Though you can reuse the same Tack Cloth for quite a while.

Hope this helps 😀

THX - FYI - Have been using rag with turps to wipe down just before painting with a brush
I also wear a tyvek full body disposable suit

Just be careful when using turps or any such other thinner type liquid. Tack Cloths have a neutral type lightly sticky varnish embedded in them so they do not effect or affect the raw or already coated surface.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

elpenguino

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#2728580 14-Jun-2021 16:33

Don't the pros wet the floor in their paint shops?

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

timmmay

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#2728871 15-Jun-2021 06:25

I wouldn't think two PC fans would do anything useful in terms of pressure. If you want to do this you'd be looking at several hundred dollars for a decent fan, ducting, etc, otherwise you're just stirring up dust. What FineWine said about sounds far more likely to give you a useful result IMHO.

1101

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#2729059 15-Jun-2021 12:14

D1023319:

I vacuum the floor and stuff before varnishing with my Nilfisk vac that has good filters

Perhaps wait some time after vacuuming, to allow air & dust to settle.
Vac will be moving air around , that may be moving around some un-vacced dust.

D1023319

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#2729094 15-Jun-2021 13:09

timmmay:

I wouldn't think two PC fans would do anything useful in terms of pressure. If you want to do this you'd be looking at several hundred dollars for a decent fan, ducting, etc, otherwise you're just stirring up dust. What FineWine said about sounds far more likely to give you a useful result IMHO.

A typical 120mm fan will transfer 20 - 80 cubic feet per minute if unobstructed so I am guessing thats adequate into a small enclosed workspace . If not add a second fan

http://www.skillbank.co.uk/cooling.html#:~:text=A%20typical%20120mm%20fan%20will,power%20rating%20and%20fan%20size.

I'll make a thin box to hold this automotive filter https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/sakura-air-filter-replaces-a431/SPO4157020.html @$20

but there are cheaper https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/sakura-cabin-filter-replaces-rca201p/SPO4160247.html

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timmmay

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#2729116 15-Jun-2021 14:05

Ah I wouldn't bother. I doubt dust floating in is the major issue, it's more likely to be on your clothes, floor, etc.

Kickinbac

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#2735325 27-Jun-2021 12:04

Spraying the paint area with fine mist water spray bottle will catch the airborne dust and drop to the floor. Need the protect your paint surfaces though.