How to Make a Spray Paint Booth for Cars

Whether you are looking to add it as a hobby or to build a business, crafting your own paint booth for cars may be something you want to investigate.

There are a lot of factors and options when it comes to this, and even though you may be gung-ho about it, you can still feel a little stressed and overwhelmed.

Let’s start with how paint a booth for cars works before we dive into how to make one.

paint booth for cars — I get a commissions for links in this post

How Does a Spray Booth for Cars Work?

Simply put, a paint booth takes air and moves it through a chamber for working, and the exhaust system attached captures any overspray from your car paint sprayer. This system also removes any hazardous fumes that are created during the painting process. There are multiple versions that all have different airflow systems.

Here are the four main options for ventilating your paint booth for cars that you have to choose from:

Downdraft
Semi-downdraft
Side downdraft
Cross Draft

Downdraft

This is one of the most efficient paint booth ventilation systems. Air enters the booth through a filtered ceiling intake chamber and flows downward over the vehicle. The air is then pulled into an exhaust system built into the floor. This design keeps airflow steady and even throughout the entire booth and helps reduce contamination and overspray.

Semi-Downdraft

This system combines features of the downdraft and cross draft booths. Air is drawn in through the ceiling, then pulled through the work area and over the car. The air is finally filtered and exhausted out the back of the booth. It provides good airflow but is not quite as effective as a full downdraft.

Side Downdraft

In this model, air is brought into the booth through a full-length ceiling fan or intake chamber. The air flows downward over the car and is exhausted through filters located at floor level on both sides of the booth. This layout helps maintain even airflow and effective removal of overspray.

Cross Draft

This system pulls fresh air into the booth from one side and exhausts it out the opposite side, creating a horizontal airflow across the vehicle. Cross draft booths are generally simpler and less expensive but may not control overspray and contamination as well as downdraft systems.

Are Inflatable Paint Booths for Cars Legal?

Inflatable paint booths are legal and can be purchased through many online vendors. You will want to make sure that those options meet all standard laws and regulations, but they can be quite affordable and efficient if you don’t have a set space to build a paint booth for your car.

When buying a portable paint booth for cars like this, you will need to grab yourself 2 blowers to obviously blow it up and keep in inflated while you spray your car.

We love this idea and you can find it here (it’s from China BUT it isn’t cheap). Let’s check it out!

Portable Paint Booth for Cars: Pros & Cons

There are many options for spray booths, and one of the most popular just might be a portable option. There are a lot of great things that come with using a portable paint booth for cars, but there are also a few disadvantages to think about.

Pros

Low upkeep
Perfect Lighting
Portable
Easy to set up
Doesnt take up much space

Cons

Easy to damage
Time to set up and take down

How Big is a Spray Booth for Cars?

There are different varieties of paint booths for cars, and they come in a wide range of sizes that can accommodate a lot of different vehicle sizes. You can, of course, buy paint booths that are designed for these same vehicles.

When you are building your spray booth, you can range from an 8 x 10 x 12’8 for things like motorcycles and mopeds to a larger option that goes up to 14’ x 24’ x 10’. The larger size is perfect for most standard vehicles.

Level up Your Painting and Join our Email List

How Much Does a DIY Spray Booth for Cars Cost to Build?

All in all, when you add up everything, you can craft a well-made and efficient booth for as little as $200. If you want to get a little fancier, you can spend more, and if you are looking to make it more than a hobby, you may want to look into that.

What Do You Need to Make a Homemade Spray Booth for Cars?

Though there are plenty of options for materials to be used in the creation of a homemade spray booth, there are some consistent ones that need to be included. In order to build the perfect booth, you will need to get:

Plywood
Lumber (2×4)
Nails

Light fixtures
x2 HVAC fans
Filters for an HVAC system
Vinyl sheets
Though you can add other equipment and materials to make your spray booth more advanced, these are the bare necessities to get you on your way to painting your car.

How Do You Build Your Own Automotive Paint Booth?

By building a paint booth for cars, you can optimize the cleanliness and make your paint jobs smoother. In order to use your garage, you will want to build a frame and add some plastic sheeting. The process of building your own paint booth follows the steps laid out below.

Steps to Build a Paint Booth for Cars

Preperation Time
Pipe Connecting
Booth Enclosure
Ventilation

Preparation

Start by measuring the space where you plan to set up your paint booth—usually your garage or workshop. Sketch out your design based on the size of the area to determine exactly how many pipes you’ll need and their dimensions. Having a clear plan before you start helps avoid mistakes and ensures you buy the right materials.

Once your measurements and design are finalized, it’s time to cut your pipes. Use a PVC saw to cut the pipes to the lengths required for your frame. If the pipe ends feel rough or uneven after cutting, smooth them out with sandpaper. Lay all your cut pieces out to organize them before assembly.

Pipe Connecting and Assembling the Frame

Begin building the frame by attaching the T-connectors to elbow connectors at each corner. Next, assemble the side pipes by connecting them to the corner poles. Add in the support pipes for extra stability. Make sure to secure every joint tightly with PVC connectors to create a sturdy and reliable structure.

Booth Enclosure

Cut a large plastic sheet to cover your entire paint booth frame, allowing some extra material for draping over the edges. Drape the plastic over the frame and trim any excess. Ensure the plastic hangs all the way to the floor for a proper seal. Use tape to firmly secure the plastic around the frame poles, paying close attention to the corners for a tight fit.

Repeat the same process on the sides and backs. When this is all done, make sure to smooth out the plastic, so there are no bubbles. Lastly, use the duct tape to seal the inside of the frame’s plastic sheeting.

Ventilation

The last phase of building your own paint booth for cars is the filtration system. Place a step ladder outside of the booth on one side. Then cut a hole large enough for a box fan. Make sure the fan faces the inside of the booth and then use duct tape to seal the edges.

Then add a filter to the back of the fan and attach it with duct tape as well. On the other side, where you cut the whole attach another furnace filter also using duct tape. Make sure to keep the filters changed at regular intervals for optimal airflow.

Follow these steps, and you will end up with a well-made spray booth that is perfect and safe to use for all your painting projects. Just take your time and make sure you use good quality materials.

DIY Car Spray Paint Booth Filter System

When setting up your filter system, you will want to pay close attention to the laws and requirements put forth by OSHA and the EPA. You can maximize efficiency by paying attention to the fans, filters, and the overall design. All of the attention to high-quality build and parts will help you eliminate hazards like toxic fumes, fire hazards, or poor finish quality.

In order to keep a well-functioning ventilation system, you should follow the following guidelines:

Check and replace air filters regularly
Maintain the booth’s cleanliness
Regular inspections
Heat the booth

The filtration system may be the most important part of your build, so make sure to take time and do it right. A poorly built filtration system could lead to several hazards, both environmental, like fires, and health problems from the inhalation of dangerous fumes.

Conclusion

Figuring out how to make a spray booth for your car is one step in the process of taking on new projects. Once you have the perfect spray booth built, you may find that you want to paint more than your car.

Hopefully, with our guide, we have helped you figure out how to do it with little to no stress. Just make sure when you do, you take your time and make sure all the components are top-notch, and all you will have to do is roll your vehicle in and get spraying.