Liquid paint, varnish, powder coating or sandblasting: all these surface treatment processes play an essential role in the protection, aesthetics and durability of parts. They are used in many sectors, from car and motorcycle bodywork to aeronautics, metallurgy, furniture and construction. However, the success of an application does not depend solely on the quality of the product or the operator's expertise: the working environment is just as important.
This is the role of paint booths: to provide a controlled environment, protected from dust and impurities, where air flow is controlled to prevent defects and improve safety. At the heart of this system, filtration ensures air purity, captures paint mist and limits pollutant emissions. It also plays a role at the spray gun and compressed air flow levels, where filters ensure a stable spray free environment from impurities. As environmental and health standards become stricter and quality requirements increase, understanding the challenges of filtration in paint booths is becoming essential to combining performance, safety and competitiveness.
Paint booth: how does it work?
A paint booth is an enclosed, ventilated space specially designed for the application or treatment of coatings by spraying. Its role is to create a controlled environment where air circulation, temperature and cleanliness are controlled to ensure ideal conditions for the application and drying of paints. The principle is based on a constant flow of air through the booth. Outside air is first filtered and then introduced into the workspace to ensure it is as clean as possible. It then sweeps through the spray area, carrying with it any overspray, i.e. paint particles that do not adhere to the surface of the parts. Finally, this contaminated air is sucked up by motors and directed to extraction media that capture the particles before the air is discharged or recycled. Depending on the options, the booths can be configured in different ways: vertical downward, horizontal or lateral flow, for example. Each configuration has its own specific features, but they all have the same objective: to achieve a regular and homogeneous air flow, without turbulence, in order to paint evenly. This system ensures consistent quality of work for precise painting.
Challenges and issues in filtration
While the role of a paint booth is to ensure ideal application conditions, its effectiveness depends directly on the quality of the filtration. There are many challenges involved, which go beyond simply keeping the air clean.
Operator safety: Painters are present in the booth during application and are exposed to mists and solvents. Effective filtration limits this exposure and reduces health risks, complementing personal protective equipment and ensuring greater safety.
Finish quality: even the smallest residual particle can alter the appearance of a surface and require reworking or even scrapping of parts. In an industry where aesthetics and consistency are important, filtration directly affects customer satisfaction by ensuring superior finish quality.
Environment and compliance: filters also play a key role in controlling emissions outside the booth. They limit the dispersion of paint mist and reduce emissions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) contained in solvent vapours into the atmosphere. This action is essential to comply with increasingly stringent regulations, avoid penalties and preserve the company's image.
Economic efficiency: finally, good filtration helps to control costs. A suitable, well-maintained filter system reduces production downtime and optimises the cabin's energy consumption. It also protects equipment: by trapping paint mist and other particles, it prevents ventilation ducts and motors from becoming clogged too quickly, which limits breakdowns and extends the service life of the installations. It is a cost-effective solution for the company.
Focus on VOCs
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a particular concern. Found mainly in solvent-based paints, they evaporate easily and contribute to air pollution. Regulations governing VOCs are becoming increasingly stringent, requiring paint booths to incorporate specific filters such as activated carbon to reduce these gas and fume emissions and remain compliant with current standards.
Powder coating and sandblasting booths
In addition to liquid paint booths, there are also booths designed for powder coating and sandblasting. Powder coating booths are equipped with a suction system that captures the fine sprayed powder; in some cases, this excess powder can be recovered and reused to reduce material loss and optimise product consumption. Sandblasting booths, on the other hand, are designed for mechanical surface treatment: they contain abrasives projected at high speed and extract the dust generated, thus preventing it from dispersing throughout the workshop and damaging equipment. As with liquid paint, filtration remains a key element: it ensures clean air, protects the equipment and contributes to operator safety.
Our filtration solutions
The issues mentioned above can only be addressed by using filtration that is tailored to each stage of the process. There is no single solution: the performance of a booth depends on the complementary action of several filter elements, each with a specific role. In practical terms, filtration occurs at several levels in a booth: at the intake, to purify the outside air before it enters the workspace; at the ceiling, to distribute this flow evenly and free of impurities; and finally at the extraction point, where the media retain the particles generated by the process, whether it be paint mist, excess powder or dust from sandblasting. This extraction can be carried out by a filter floor, placed directly under the work area (floor), by an extraction block in the wall or downstream, or by a combination of the two. Regardless of the configuration, this step remains essential to protect the installations, limit operator exposure and prevent the release of pollutants into the outside environment. To meet the various quality, safety and compliance challenges, we offer a wide range of filters suitable for paint, powder coating or sandblasting booths. Each technology has its specific role.
Filter mats
Flexible and economical, they are used for pre-filtration or ceiling installation. They effectively retain coarse particles and ensure good air distribution throughout the cabin. We offer a wide variety of media and the option of customised cutting to suit any configuration, providing multiple options.
Panel filters
Compact and easy to install, they offer good efficiency in intake filtration or intermediate protection, while limiting pressure drops. We offer them with different types of frames (cardboard, metal, plastic) to adapt to all technical constraints and environments, providing a flexible solution for your system.
Bag filters
Thanks to their large filtration surface area, they have excellent retention capacity and a long service life. They are ideal for intake air or as a reinforced pre-filtration stage.
Inertia filters
Specially designed to capture paint mist by exploiting the inertial effect. They protect extraction and ventilation systems by preventing the accumulation of residues. Often located on the floor, their use drastically reduces system clogging.
Activated carbon filters
These filters capture Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and fumes from various gases, eliminating unpleasant odours. Their adsorption capacity guarantees full compliance with the most stringent environmental standards, ensuring that only purified air is released. For more information, visit our page on activated carbon.
HEPA filters
Reserved for the most critical applications. They eliminate almost all fine particles in suspension. Their performance is unrivalled in demanding sectors such as luxury cars, aeronautics, and the medical and pharmaceutical fields. These are products of exceptional quality.
COMPRESSED AIR NETWORK FILTRATION
Beyond the booth itself, the quality of compressed air is a determining factor in the success of surface treatment processes. Whether it is liquid painting, powder coating or sandblasting, this air directly feeds the guns, nozzles and spraying systems, and thus determines the precision and consistency of the application. When poorly filtered, it can compromise the quality of the work by causing defects in appearance or accelerating equipment wear. Conversely, clean, stable air ensures optimal conditions for consistent, long-lasting results, regardless of the product or process used. We offer all the filtration solutions required for compressed air networks to guarantee a reliable supply tailored to every need.
Why choose HIFI FILTER® for your paint booths?
In a world where demands for quality and compliance are constantly increasing, air control remains the key to successful surface treatment. A good filtration system not only ensures clean air, but also consistent applications, operator safety and reliable installations. Thanks to our experience and the diversity of our range of filters, we can help you choose the solutions best suited to your processes, ensuring a controlled environment and long-lasting results.
Expertise: Nearly 50 years of experience in filtration to guarantee reliable, high-performance products.
Compatibility: With over 70,000 references, you will find the right filter for your installation, regardless of the brand.
Personalised support: Our technical teams are available to assist you by telephone, e-mail or on site, helping you choose and use your filters. We offer the best value for money for a high-performance filtration unit. Request a personalised quote on our contact page.
Global presence: Our international distribution network enables us to respond quickly to your needs, anywhere in the world.
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