Page 9 - On The Move - Volume 16, Issue 4

The first step of the process is checking the filters. It is not uncommon as the indicator changes color; if not, they allow moisture — and
to see shops with downdraft ceiling filters that are over one year old. many times, broken pieces of desiccant — into the air hose and onto
Depending on usage, this might be acceptable. However, if you are your paint job. Oil separation filters and air valves are items that will
painting a lot of cars every week you may have reached capacity and eventually deteriorate and fall apart and must be included on your
are losing airflow. Airflow measurement readings throughout the booth maintenance checklist. These filters filter the air but do not dry
booth should be at a minimum of 80 feet per minute; anything less it. Once the filters are full, moisture and contamination will bypass
could indicate poor filter performance. them.
Another area to check are the pre-filters. Most modern booths have Overspray is another important thing to keep under control. There
them, but they are frequently overlooked. Look for any access panels are products specifically designed to reduce the build-up and dirt
with hinges or latches and you will likely find pre-filters or other that collect on the walls over time. Multiple options are available such
serviceable items inside. These filters protect your main ceiling filters as spray-on films that can be washed off with water, spray-on films
and need to be changed more often. If they are not maintained that can be peeled off, and adhesive backed fabrics that trap the dirt
properly, you will have a much shorter life for your ceiling filters. and overspray. Painters should position panels in the booth so they
can spray towards the exhaust versus the walls and lights to extend
Floor filters or exhaust filters must be changed more frequently, as the time between cleaning operations. This also helps with flash-off
often as once a week for booths that are in constant use. Clogged of the material by keeping panels exposed to proper air flow.
floor filters can quickly cause a major loss in air movement which
will reduce production, quality, and hinder the performance of paint Air compressor maintenance is critical in extending your filter
materials — ultimately reducing profits. Overly-clogged or missing life by reducing contaminates that are leaving the compressor,
exhaust filters can lead to overspray build-up in the stacks which such as moisture and oil particulates. Proper maintenance hinders
restrict air flow, damage components within the stack such as fan contaminates from reaching the air lines, gun cleaners and booth air
blades and bearings, and significantly increase the risk of a fire. filters. When compressors produce large amounts of moisture and
oil, rework costs will rise and production will slow. The cost of one
reworked finish is often greater than the cost of
Booth usage plays a role in how often filters should be replacing filters.
changed. When they are ignored, several problems arise
Your last line of defense to avoid paint job
that result from poor air movement:
contamination is examining your hoses. They
should be high quality and immediately replaced
• Increased flash-times and poor curing when they are covered with overspray, cracked,
• Excess dirt found in topcoats and clearcoats leaking or have reached an age limitation.
• Reduced air exchange, increasing the Having a clearly defined change-out schedule
and back-ups on hand will mitigate the risk of
potential for solvent-pop
contamination and/or downtime due to failure.
• Overspray contaminating other panels
Be sure to put them off to the side of the booth
• Overspray covering the walls and lights in when moving vehicles in and out. This is because
the booth they can break down on the inside when driven
• Reduced cycle time over, causing areas that typically attract dirt to
release it onto the painted surface. Ideally, hoses
Think about how you are controlling the dust build-up on would not be in the booth during a bake cycle as the constant
the booth floor. Wetting the floor is the age-old way of fluctuation and exposure to extreme temperatures can cause them
keeping dust on the floor, leading to rework when to breakdown prematurely. If an air hose specifically states it is not
the hose splashes water on the freshly cleared for use in a booth, don’t use it.
quarter. Additionally, introducing humidity
in waterborne paint processes drastically Lighting is another area often overlooked. This can happen as easily
affects performance. Dust control products as using the wrong type of bulb or ignoring burnt-out bulbs. Painters
designed to specifically address this issue must have the right spectrum of light to ensure they achieve proper
are more efficient. Some are sprayed coverage and color match. Remember that the cost of one rework
on the floor while others are fabric that will typically exceed the cost of proactive maintenance.
are rolled. These solutions reduce time
spent buffing and/or reworking panels. Deteriorated door seals and/or missing or malfunctioning latches
They vary in maintenance intervals, can allow dirt to enter the spray area, as well as overspray into the
but all will increase consistency and shop, and increase the workload on the booth’s components to
quality. If you have a cross flow or maintain proper pressure. These issues can also increase labor times
side extraction downdraft, these floor for denibbing, polishing, and/or reworking panels.
coatings are even more important as
your floor provides a major source of Following the recommendations above will help your collision
dust in the topcoat. center remain productive and profitable. Whether it is a simple bulb
or hose change that is needed, the little things eventually add up
Compressed air filtration systems to something more complex that can ultimately affect the business.
have another set of filters that affect By being proactive and going through a complete maintenance
booth operation and tend to be checklist at appropriate time intervals, your shop will benefit by
one of the more overlooked items helping to keep pace and reduce wasted time, materials, resources
in booth maintenance. Desiccant and money.
filters must be changed out as soon
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