If you’re thinking about converting your aircraft hangar into a paint hangar there are a few things to keep in mind. Your primary consideration should be that the process itself can often times be a very complicated, expensive and time consuming one. Beyond that, keeping contaminants out of paint jobs can still prove to be a tough task, and when heating and cooling systems are needed, the cost to operate can sometimes get very high.
An option beyond a paint hangar conversion would be to install a paint booth insert into your aircraft hangar. Adding a paint booth insert to an aircraft hangar is more often than not easier, cheaper and quicker than converting the entire hangar into an environment designed for painting. Aside from the expedience and cost advantage, it also provides optimum and balanced airflow, cleaner air via filtration and the potential for better lighting. The result is an ideal environment for painting, making it easier to achieve a high-end paint finish.
Aircraft paint booth inserts can feature the design and construction of a paint booth and can be easily engineered to fit inside any aircraft hangar. Aircraft paint booth inserts can be completely self-supporting, needing just the addition of utilities to the insert for full functionality. Aircraft paint booth inserts also have several advantages over converted paint hangars. External and application-related contamination control is easier with inserts. This, in conjunction with improved lighting, can result in a higher end paint finish. In addition, the volume of airflow required is also reduced, which decreases the associated costs for heating, cooling and air replacement.
Paint hangars can function properly with an appropriately sized exhaust system and with or without doors. For a cleaner environment and a higher quality finish, the consideration may need to be made to filter the intake air and use a make-up air unit (MAU). And depending on where your hangar is located, winter and summertime climate control might also be a need. If the hangar is located in a hotter climate, cooling will most likely be needed and if located in an area with more severe winters heating could be a necessity. Heating and cooling an entire paint hangar can be add quite the cost to your utility bill because there is not an isolated space for the painting area that can narrow down the airflow requirements, further reinforcing the advantage to going to a paint booth insert.
Reach out to the professionals at Rohner Finishing Systems for help in properly sizing and planning the addition of a paint booth insert to your aircraft hangar today!