How to Build an Airbrushing Spray Booth

If you are considering using an artist's airbrush for illustrations or for decorating objects, a well-sealed spray booth is a necessity to contain the fine mist and vapors from the paint over-spray. This project provides a very economical yet effective method of construction for creating a light-weight booth that can be placed in an average room or garage. The booth, fashioned from PVC pipe and plastic sheeting, has a five-foot square base with seven-foot high walls.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 8 1/2-inch 3-way tee PVC pipe connectors
• 8 10-foot lengths of 1/2 inch PVC pipes
• 1 can PVC primer
• 1 can PVC cement
• 3 9x12-foot plastic drop-cloths
• Hacksaw
• Scissors
• 1 roll of Duct tape
• 6-foot length of two-part Velcro tape

1. Use the hacksaw to cut four of the 10-foot lengths of PVC pipe in half, making eight
   5-foot pieces. Also cut four of the 10-foot lengths of PVC pipe, each into 7-foot pieces.

2. Assemble the floor and ceiling frames by connecting the 5-foot lengths of PVC pipe together with the 3-way tee pipe connectors in two separate square frames. Apply primer to the outside ends of the pipe and on the corresponding inside surface of the connector. Then apply the PVC cement to the same areas on each part, and promptly insert the pipe into the fitting. Ensure that the pipes and fittings are properly aligned, since the PVC cement sets quickly and does not allow for errors.

3. Place the frame for the floor-end of the frame with the open end of the connectors pointing upward. Prime and cement each of the 7-foot upright support pieces into the connectors.

4. Tip the partially assembled frame structure over on one side and temporarily insert the remaining ends of the upright supports into the open connectors on the square ceiling frame. This will keep the pipes aligned during the permanent attachment of each support. Prime and cement the uprights into the open ends of the connectors.

5. Use the scissors to cut two 6-foot squares from one of the 9 x1 2-foot plastic drop-cloths for the ceiling and floor. Cut two 6-foot by 8-foot rectangles from each of the two remaining plastic drop-cloths for a total of four pieces to be used as the walls. Cut six-inch squares out from the corners of each of the six plastic pieces. The removal of the corners will allow the overlapping edges of the plastic pieces to fold over the edges of the frame.

6. Lay the plastic floor piece flat and place the assembled frame on top of it, aligning the corners of the bottom end of the frame with the cut-out corners of the plastic floor piece. Place the ceiling section on top of the frame and align the cut-out corners to the corners of the frame. Use small pieces of the duct tape to tack the plastic together at the corners, to keep it from slipping off the frame.

7. Place one wall piece of the plastic on the frame, overlapping the pipe on the ceiling frame by six inches. Tack the wall piece in place on the inside using a small piece of duct tape. Fold the overlapping edge of the ceiling piece down, making adjustments to smooth out wrinkles and creases in the plastic. Follow the same procedure with each of the remaining walls. Then firmly seal all of the overlapping edges down with long sections of duct tape, on the inside and outside.

8. Fold up the overlapping edges on the flooring and tack in place with duct tape. Then
   seal the edges with long strips of tape.

9. Cut a 6-foot vertical slit in one of the walls for a door. Cut a 1-foot by 6-foot flap from the plastic drop-cloth scrap. Tape one side of the flap to one edge of the slit plastic. Attach one-half of the 7- foot Velcro strip to the inside of the flap on the other side, and the opposite half of the Velcro to the wall on the other side of the slit. Use the Velcro to seal the door after entry.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a forced-air ventilation system if using the spray booth for prolonged periods of time.
• Use PVC primer and cement only in well-ventilated areas. Read the manufacturer's guides and warnings on the labels of the primer and PVC cement. Always wear an air-filtering NIOSH-approved respirator whenever using an airbrush. Limit the time you spend in the spray booth to thirty-minute sessions unless you have installed a ventilation system.

References

• "PVC Projects for the Outdoorsman"; Tom Forbes; 1999