Paint Station - small parts

[Bcone1381]

I am looking for ideas regarding painting small parts. I thinking of dedicating a small area in my shop in front of a window as a small parts paint station. My goal is to make painting small parts a quicker, standardized and streamlined process. If you have any experience or ideas, please pass them along.

I am thinking of a box window fan that blows air out the widow, with some sides and top/maybe with floor protection. Simple, cheap. I'm not seeing a need yet for a dust containment device. For example, I am setting up to paint fuel tank straps.

[Ray Strickland]

Brooks,
Box fans work great, just put a furnace filter on the suction side. Otherwise, your fan blades and motor will soon be covered with paint residue.

[geraldmorrissey]

For me humidity is a big issue. I stopped building to construct a cooling radiator for my compressor. Now I'll be able to paint all year long. See you tube for info on radiators. Also see you tube for a number of solutions for small parts painting. The plastic model builders really have it down to a science. I use an airbrush for all my small wing parts with great success. Less overspray, less paint used.
Gerry
Patrol #30

[Gerhard Rieger]

Hi, what I found useful is to hang them if they have holes, most have and then hang a weight at the end to stop it from being blow all over.

[Chewie]

Brooks, here's what I did.

[geraldmorrissey]

Mark thats a pretty elegant solution. Is the filter inside the box?
Gerry
Patrol #30

[Bcone1381]

Wow Mark! I like that! It give me some ideas. I'll see what I can come up with and post photos once I get it working.

Yesterday I modified a window fan to receive furnace filters and installed it. I may be time to go dumpster diving for a big box from the recycled cardboard bin.

[jaredyates]

My crafty wife likes to call up the big home improvement stores and ask for appliance boxes, and they are usually happy to offer them if they have them.

[Chewie]

Thanks, but I take little credit. I happily stole the idea from the Pudding River LSA guys (re: Kitplanes Building the Bearhawk LSA series by Ken Scott). I used my toolchest box as you can see, one borrowed box fan, and yes an HVAC filter inside the box. A used commercial lighting grille across the top. As for the rest, only reason I built the booth on my driveway was to warm it up inside! Fumes were not an issue, it was stewarts and not much application for such small parts.

[Steve W]

I have painted two aircraft with Stewarts and I wish people would take the fact that it is chemical based paint. I know there is toluene in the glue and the vapours from the paint flashing off is not good for you. I must be super sensitive to the products cause I have headaches and trouble being around the stuff. I don't handle it, mix it or walk out into the booth when it's drying without a respirator on.