Buying Power: Downdraft Spraybooths Palmer AK

Thinking about purchasing a new downdraft spraybooth or prep station? If you've got questions, we've got answers.

By Dick Bannister
7/1/1998

If you're planning a shop expansion or need to increase workflow in your current shop, you may be considering the purchase of a new downdraft spraybooth or prep station. But which one do you choose? And which options do you select?

Spraybooths are a lot like automobiles. The basic function of an automobile is to get you from point A to point B, but vehicles come with a wealth of features in a wide price range. The task is to decide which features will provide you with the benefits you desire.

Similarly, most of the questions surrounding downdraft-spraybooth and prep-station technologies arise because people don't fully understand the different features. Without enough knowledge, it's impossible to decide if a given feature will be beneficial.

To help with future purchasing decisions, I've collected some of the most frequently asked questions about downdraft spraybooths and prep stations and filled in the answer blanks with sound knowledge.

Q: What can I expect my new downdraft spraybooth to do?

A: Simply put, your spraybooth should increase productivity by providing clean paint finishes and accelerated paint-curing times.

Q: What's the difference between a dry-filter exhaust system and a water-wash exhaust system?

A: The exhaust filters in a dry system are designed to clog up. They're paint-stop filters, a...