How Much Does an Auto Paint Booth Cost?
Last Updated: January 31, 2022
Fact Checked By: Ryan Maguire
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In the auto body business choosing the right automotive spray paint booth is crucial to your success. Whether you're running a small family business or part of a large national franchise you need to have the right equipment.
Spray paint booths insulate the car or truck you're painting from dust and airborne debris. This ensures the smoothest possible finish. They also limit the amount of paint that goes into the air. This protects employees from inhaling harmful chemicals and minimizes fire hazards.
Types of Automotive Spray Paint Booths #
Automotive spray paint booths vary in size, presentation and the method of exhaust or air flow. Some are designed specifically for auto body repair. Others are for motorcycles or large trucks.
- Open face booths only have three walls. They pull unfiltered air through the front of the booth and out through an exhaust filter in the back. Because the front is open they don't prevent debris from spoiling your finish. They also minimize exposure to hazardous chemicals.
- Cross flow booths are closed on all four sides. They draw fresh air through one side of the booth and then out through exhaust filters on the opposite side.
- Downdraft booths, also closed on all four sides, draw fresh air from intake filters in the ceiling and send exhaust through filters placed in one of many configurations - often along the sides of the booth. Of the three, this is the most advanced type of exhaust system.
Most automotive spray paint booths are modularly built to allow for growth and expansion. They usually have a simple nuts and bolts construction to allow for easy assembly.
Auto Paint Booth Average Costs #
You can opt for a standard factory booth or a customized model, depending on your needs and budget requirements.
- Most factory booths cost $2,000 to $10,000. Open face booths fall on the low end of that price range while downdraft booths fall on the high end.
- Adding what's known as an air make up unit increases the price to between $10,000 and $15,000. Air make up units provide a direct source of fresh air for the booth. They prevent air quality and heating or cooling problems that come with pulling the air from your shop.
- Custom booths or very large booths suitable for truck painting fall in the $15,000 to $20,000 price range.
In rare cases, custom booths can reach $50,000 to $100,000. But the vast majority are less than $20,000.
Most of the parts you need to get started will be sold with the auto spray booth. This includes lighting system, door latches, fans and meters, and an initial set of intake and exhaust filters. You'll have to purchase bulbs for the lighting system and additional filters separately.
Choosing an Automotive Paint Booth #
It's best to shop multiple dealers when purchasing an auto paint booth. Get a written quote from several dealers to make side-by-side comparisons of price and quality. Make sure the booth you purchase is compliant with standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Electrical Code, and the National Fire Protection Association. Look for a booth that is ETL Listed. This means the product is compliant with North American safety standards. Most automotive spray paint booths are sold with at least a one-year warranty. Be sure to ask about the warranty before agreeing to a purchase.