Top Features to Look for When Buying a Paint Booth or Finishing System

If you’re upgrading an existing production line or buying new finishing equipment, the paint booth or finishing system is a crucial decision. The right paint booth or finishing system will not only impact the quality of your products or components but also is a critical piece of your operations to ensure safety, compliance, efficiency, and long-term cost savings. Here are the top features to consider before you make a purchase.

1. Environmental and Safety Compliance
   Meeting safety and environmental standards for your industry is a huge consideration to protect your team and ensure compliance: 
   •    OSHA and NFPA which provide worker safety regulations
   •    EPA and local emissions regulations for filters, reclaim modules, and airflow to maintain environmental safety
   

2. Booth Type and Design
   There are so many configurations for paint booths based on your facility footprint and needs: 
   •    Downdraft booths provide air flow that pulls air from the ceiling and out through floor vents for high-quality finishes and contaminant control
   •    Cross-draft booths pull air horizontally for more cost-effective air management 
   •    Semi-downdraft booths for general finishing requirements 
   •    Custom booths for flexible and space-limited requirements
   

3. Ventilation and Filtration System
   Airflow is essential for quality finishes and safety. Here are considerations for selecting the right filtration system for fewer defects and a safe environment for your team: 
   •    Variable air volume (VAV) controls that can adjust airflow based on usage
   •    High-efficiency filters to capture overspray and protect finishing equipment
   •    Explosion-proof lighting which is required in many high-VOC environments
   

4. Energy Efficiency and Operating Costs
   Certain features can help lower your energy usage and reduce operating costs. Here are some paint booth features that can save money each year:
   •    Efficient LED lighting provides better visibility with lower electricity use
   •    Insulation in the walls and ceiling of your paint booth can retain heat and heating costs
   •    Smart controls that can maintain optimal speeds and pressure
   

5. Modern Controls and Automation
   Finishing systems often include intelligent features to reduce operator error and increase throughput. Here are some common automation tools to consider: 
   •    Touchscreen controls for easy use
   •    Preset programs if you have different materials or paint processes
   •    Remote diagnostics to reduce downtime and pinpoint issues
   

Choosing a paint booth or new finishing system is a strategic operations decision that will affect your production quality, safety, compliance, and budget. Making sure you have carefully considered all of the features you need to improve your finishing process will help you ensure quality and reduce costs. Rohner designs and builds paint booths and finishing systems for a variety of industries. Talk to our team about building a system to your specifications and requirements. 

Have questions? Please contact the Rohner team: info@rohner-usa.com