CLEAN BILL OF

Maintenance Methods to Keep Your Paint Booth

in Top Shape

Preventative maintenance is critical to your paint shop’s success. Not only does it directly affect your production
output, it can also affect your bottom line of overall shop costs. With routine preventative maintenance and cleaning of
your paint booth, long-lasting paint quality and continued production for your business are more attainable.

Following these tips can help you properly clean and maintain your finishing equipment, so it stays running in
peak condition:

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 EXHAUST FILTERS
One of the simplest things you can do for the
cleanliness and overall productivity of your paint booth
is replace exhaust filters on a routine basis. Clogged
or overloaded filters hinder proper airflow. This causes
dust or overspray to recirculate and affect the finish
of your paint job. Regularly changing filters decreases
the likelihood of equipment failure. It also helps
ensure your booth is operating efficiently and keeps
the production costs of your shop low.

A manometer (also known as a differential pressure

gauge) can be used to measure a pressure differential,
indicating when filters are loaded and need
replacement. Monitoring the filters with your
manometer lets painters and service personnel know
when it is time to change the filters. If your booth does
not have a manometer, it is best to establish a strict
maintenance schedule based on the time spent spraying
in the booth.
When selecting a paint booth exhaust filter material,
make sure to choose the correct media for your
application. The main goal of exhaust filtration is to
protect the environment while preventing the buildup
of overspray on system components. The EPA requires
paint booth exhaust filters to be a minimum of
98 percent efficient. Filters should hold enough paint
to avoid constantly replacing them. When you use a
low-grade filter, you risk higher operating costs
related to additional filter changeouts, expensive fan
repairs and production downtime.

It is also important to ensure your paint operation

meets health and safety standards required by the
NFPA and OSHA. In more severe situations, clogged
filters may create flammable or explosive conditions.
With so many different styles and brands, filters will
reach their target reading and require replacement
at varying rates. These rates depend upon the paint
type, booth design, fan speed, temperature and spray
The most common maintenance mistake shops equipment. ■
make is not following their booth manufacturer’s
filter changeout schedule. Exhaust filters need to be
changed every 100 operating hours or every three to
four work weeks. Anything beyond that is putting your
equipment at risk. However, each paint operation is
different, which may require changing exhaust media
more frequently than every 100 hours.

Exhaust Filter Selection

In addition to routinely changing filters, it is important Exhaust filters need to be changed
to select high-quality filters. The risk of taking short-
term savings on cheaply made filters is higher than every 100 operating hours or every
you might think. While you may be saving money now, three to four work weeks
the cheaper quality of the materials will load with
paint more quickly. This will cause more frequent filter
changeouts. Low-cost alternatives also have a lower
capture efficiency. That can lead to an even higher
expense of replacing other parts, such as fans, motors
and ductwork.

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 BOOTH PROTECTION
Whether you want to protect your paint booth’s walls, windows, lights or floors, there are a variety of booth
protection products to keep your booth clean, bright and running efficiently and smoothly.
Protective Booth Coatings
Peelable paint booth coatings offer
outstanding coverage to protect your equipment,
shop and employees, making it easy to keep the walls
of your booth clean. One of these products is Booth
Shield®️ from Global Finishing Solutions (GFS), which
traps the overspray that collects on booth walls, so you
can save valuable time, avoid unnecessary hassle and
achieve better-quality paint finishes.
While temporary, peelable coatings keep your
booth cleaner, they also help your booth last longer.
Overspray forms a thick accumulation on paint booth
surfaces when not properly cleaned. The risk of
ignition — and possibly even spontaneous combustion
— is introduced when wet paint exists beneath a
dry surface. Overspray also contains dust and dirt,
which reduces visibility in the booth. The particles
can be lifted from the walls and floor and circulated
throughout the booth when fans are running with the
booth in spray mode, creating an inhalation hazard for
unprotected workers. With Booth Shield, overspray
becomes trapped in the peelable coating and can be
easily removed before it becomes hazardous.
Since white walls are more reflective to create a
brighter spraying environment, peelable coatings also
boost visibility and aid in precise paint application.
Lasting as many as 700 booth cycles, Booth Shield
reduces rework and decreases the frequency of
cleaning required for your booth.
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AFTER
Floor Protection
In addition to protective booth coatings, which are
generally used on the booth walls, there are also a
variety of floor protection products for paint booths.
This includes floor paper or adhesive floor coverings
such as PIG Grippy Mat.
By trapping overspray, dirt, dust and particles, the
PIG Grippy Mat from GFS ensures better quality paint
finishes and a safe, bright working environment.
Overspray, dust and debris can be removed by
sweeping or vacuuming the PIG Grippy Mat, saving
the hassle of scraping or using chemicals to remove
overspray from your floor. The padding on the PIG
Grippy Mat reduces noise and makes standing and
kneeling more comfortable, while its bright gray color
helps to evenly distribute light and eliminates shadows
and reflections on paint jobs.
Light Fixture Protection
Once you have your booth walls
and floors protected, you should
also consider covering your paint
booth light fixtures to protect them
against hazardous overspray. This
can be done with a protective film
designed for paint booth light
fixtures. Translucent Booth Shield from GFS is another
option, as it can be applied to light fixtures, in addition
to booth walls. ■
 SUMMER/WINTER MODE
Regulating the temperature in your paint booth
regardless of the temperatures outside is important
to ensure consistency for both spraying and curing,
which increases efficiency and reduces rework.
Luckily, there is a mode for that.
With summer/winter mode on your paint booth’s air
make-up unit (AMU), a baseline temperature for your
booth is more easily established. This eliminates some
of the problems associated with frequent temperature
fluctuations, keeping your finishing operation running
smoothly even as the seasons change.
In summer mode, the burner on the paint booth
heater remains off when the booth is in spray mode.
In winter mode, the burner turns on in spray mode via
the control panel, providing heat and humidity control
to the booth. With the burner on, you will experience
a 10-degree bump above ambient temperature. For
working on temperature-sensitive products, this is
especially helpful. Plus, already having the burner on
is a time saver when it comes time to cure.
The benefits of summer/winter mode are not as
widely recognized in places where the weather is
more certain, such as the humidity of Florida, the hot
summers of Arizona or the cold winters of northern
Minnesota. Summer/winter mode is most beneficial
in places like Colorado and Wisconsin, where a
30-degree temperature swing in a few days — or
even on the same day — is not uncommon. It is also
invaluable for several weeks during the spring and
the fall, when the burner can cycle on and off as the
temperature rapidly changes. ■

It is most expensive to run a paint booth in spray

mode. Having the booth in summer mode during
warmer temperatures ensures the burner stays off
in spray mode. This saves on utility costs for your
business and prevents the booth from becoming too
hot for painters.

Summer mode should be turned on in the spring,

typically in April, when cool mornings can give way to
warm afternoons. The flip to winter mode is best in the
fall, usually in October, when the weather is perhaps
the most unpredictable.

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 MAINTENANCE & CLEANING CHECKLIST
To ensure your paint booth continues to operate in peak condition, maintenance
needs to occur on a regular basis. To establish a maintenance schedule, it is best to
refer to the schedule provided by your booth manufacturer. The schedule should
provide guidelines for how often to inspect, clean and replace key components of
your booth, such as intake and exhaust filters.

The following is a checklist of recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures

for paint booths. Some components should be inspected and cleaned on a daily
basis, while others may only need to be looked after annually, depending on your
paint booth usage. ■

EXHAUST PIT EXHAUST FAN

Exhaust pit grates should be pressure washed clean, typically on
 an annual basis.
Ensure that the pit diffusion pans are replaced in the correct
 position. Since these trays balance the air, correct placement is
essential.
Pay attention to the amount of overspray on the walls and floor of
the pit. Buildup of overspray on the walls since the previous year’s
 cleaning indicates that the exhaust filters were used past their
saturation point.
 Inspect the fan operation for correct rotation.
 Replace fan belts annually, if needed.
 Grease motor bearings and fan bearings, if needed.
Remove buildup from the fan and dampers. Make sure all buildup
 is removed from fan blades. Fan blades that are only partially
cleaned can lead to bearing failure in the fan housing or motor.

DOORS
 Adjust, realign and lubricate hinges.
 Replace worn bushings (what the hinges ride on) with OEM parts.
 Tighten bolts.
 Clean glass on product entry doors.
AIR HEATER
Clean the air heater, including fan inlet and intake areas, fan,
 wheels and other moving parts.
 Check the heater belt tension and V-belt alignment.
For safety, have a trained professional perform all other
 maintenance on the heater.

SEALS BURNERS
Clean the burners, including the flame rod, igniter and indirect air
Inspect and re-caulk seals in the paint booth cabin and heater,  intake.
 including door frames, the upper plenum, the floor profile and
the cabin interior. The burners should be inspected annually by a trained
 professional

LIGHTING
 Clean overspray off glass.
Replace any fluorescent lamps with blackened tips. When
replacing tubes, make sure to use tubes with a similar color
 rendering index (CRI), Kelvin temperature scale and lumens
output. It takes all three to correctly recreate OEM lighting.
 Ensure there is a seal between the frame and glass.
MOTOR
 Clean debris from the motor covers.
Measure the amperage of the motor using a multimeter with an
amp clamp. The desired amperage is listed on the tag of the
motor. If the amperage is outside of range, there may be an issue,
 such as a bearing that has gone out, a fan that is creating friction,
wire nuts that are starting to break down or loose connections on
the motor starter.

HARDWARE
Inspect and replace fasteners (nuts and bolts) to ensure the DUCT & PLENUMS
 structural integrity and longevity of your booth. Clean intake and discharge duct, intake and exhaust plenums,
 and exhaust ductwork.

FLOORS & WALLS

Day to day, the floors should be swept while the paint booth is in
 operation, unless it is a completely grated floor.
As needed, walls can be cleaned with a soft cloth dipped in
 soapy water or weak detergent solution, and a non-ferrous, non-
sparking scraper that is approved for use in hazardous locations.
FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
Have the fire suppression system inspected annually by a trained
 professional.
Ensure the heads are protected from overspray buildup by a
 cellulose or paper bag on water suppression systems or by a
plastic nozzle cover on dry chemical systems.
Remove overspray buildup from the detection links and cable on
dry chemical systems.

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 Take advantage of preventative maintenance and service programs
offered by your booth manufacturer or local distributor

An easy way to stick to a regular maintenance schedule
is to take advantage of preventative maintenance
and service programs offered by your booth
manufacturer or local distributor. These programs can
be customized to your needs and may include just-
in-time filter replenishment and replacement, paint
booth cleaning, peelable booth coating application,
complete diagnostic checks and emergency service.
Some programs also include weekend and after-hours
service to fit within your shop’s schedule and reduce
downtime. Preventative maintenance programs can
save your business a significant amount of time, hassle
and repairs down the road.
In addition to protecting your employees and facility,
routine cleaning and maintenance of your paint booth
will ensure it lasts for many years to come. A small
investment in time now can result in long-term savings
of costly repairs or even booth replacement. ■
At GFS, we have an expert team that can help with
all your preventative maintenance needs. Our
extensive network of qualified distributors all over
North America also offer customized service and
preventative maintenance programs to extend the life
of your finishing equipment.

globalfinishing.com | 800-848-8738