first time in true downdraft booth

[reflections7]

Ok I have posted lots of pics of cars Ive painted. after 20 years of painting some pretty nice cars I will be painting my first car a week from sat in dealerships downdraft heated paintbooth. The 67 belevedere I have been working on is ready to spray. The owner works at a dealer as a tech. Any suggestions. With the more airflow than I am used to will it dry quicker between coats? How long from the last coat till you bake it? They gave him a key we will put it in friday night when he gets off work and paint it in the morning on sat, Im excited. Done cars like this in the garage.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ions7/l2-1.jpg

[jimmo4life]

When I moved from a cement room to a proper downdraft I did find the base to flash off quicker with the increased air flow, definately less dirt in the jobs with the airflow going down rather then all around. I think you will find it more or less the same, usually a proper booth is a lot better lit which can really make a difference. Most newer clears you can bake right away, all of the ones I use by BASF suggest "bake immediately for best results". I'd check the tech sheet on the clear you are using. Our booth is an older downdraft and it used to have a 5 minute purge timer that prevented an immediate bake, but we now have it set up to purge for 30 seconds then the heat starts.

[55chevrolet]

Baking cost a little too much in Natural Gas for me! I guess in a really High Production Shop it is needed to move things along, but in a Slow moving Resto Shop it just ain't worth the Money.

[reflections7]

I dont bake but will this time. Its free to use and we need to get the car back out of the shop since we are borrowing it with the owners permission on the weekend.

[jimmo4life]

I think it only works out to about $8 / car for us, but either way in a production shop it's important to have.

[Len]

I think it only works out to about $8 / car for us, but either way in a production shop it's important to have.

Without the ability to warm the car you should probably leave it until the next day before removing it from the booth but, being able to heat it to 100 to 140 degrees F will allow you to bring it out of the booth an hour or two later, allow it to cool and unmask.

[reflections7]

went and saw the booth today. Have car ready. Nice shop and booth. will bring it friday and paint it sat. Sanded with 400 and 600. washed with scotch brite and liquid cleaner/blender product including all edges. Car is completly guted ready to tape up jambs and paint. . ill post pics when done.