How to Make a DIY Spray Booth for Under $20 (In 30 Minutes!)
How to Make a DIY Spray Booth for Under $20 (In 30 Minutes!)
Meta Description: Tired of spraying paint fumes everywhere? Build a powerful, effective DIY spray booth with a computer fan and a cardboard box. This beginner-friendly guide is safe, cheap, and works perfectly for primers, varnishes, and airbrushing.
https://i.imgur.com/placeholder.png Stop turning your hobby room into a toxic cloud. This $20 solution captures fumes and keeps your space safe and clean.
The struggle is real. You need to prime a model, but it's raining outside. You nervously set up a cardboard box in your garage, spray for three seconds, and instantly smell that distinct chemical aroma filling the air. You’ve just fumigated your workspace.
Proper ventilation isn't a luxury; it's a necessity for your health. But professional spray booths cost a fortune. What if you could build one that works just as well for the price of a cheap takeout meal?
I built this design specifically for handling aerosol primers and airbrush vapors. It’s simple, effective, and most importantly, safe.
Why You NEED a Spray Booth
Health First: Inhaling aerosolized paint particles is terrible for your lungs. A booth vents these harmful fumes outside.
Cleaner Results: It sucks away overspray, preventing dust from settling on your wet models and giving you a smoother finish.
Peace of Mind: Spray indoors any time of year, in any weather, without worrying about contaminating your home.
The $20 Shopping List
1 Large Cardboard Box: A sturdy moving box is perfect. (Cost: Free, you probably have one)
1 Computer Fan (120mm): Look for a high CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) rating. Used for PC cooling. (Cost: ~$10 on Amazon/eBay)
1 DC Power Adapter (12V): Must match the voltage of your fan. Often found in a drawer of old electronics. (Cost: ~$5 if you need to buy one)
Duct Tape & Packaging Tape: For structure and sealing.
Dryer Vent Hose (Optional but Recommended): To direct the air outside. (Cost: ~$5)
Box Cutter or Scissors
Marker
Total Cost: ~$15-20
The 30-Minute, 4-Step Build
Step 1: Cut the Windows
Lay the box on its side with the opening facing you.
On the top panel, trace and cut a hole the exact size of your computer fan. This is your exhaust port.
On one of the side panels, cut a large opening for your access window to work in.
Step 2: Install the Fan
Place the fan over the hole you cut, with the fan facing outward (so it sucks air out of the box).
Use generous amounts of duct tape to create a tight, secure seal around the edges of the fan. You want all the air to be pulled through the box, not around the fan.
Step 3: Wire It Up (It's Easy!)
Computer fans have two wires: red (positive) and black (negative).
Cut the end off your DC power adapter to expose two wires.
IMPORTANT: Twist the fan's red wire to the power adapter's positive wire (usually with a white stripe or text). Twist the black wires together.
Secure each connection with electrical tape. Plug it in! The fan should spin up, pulling air out of the box.
Step 4: Vent it Outside (The Key to Safety)
Tape the dryer vent hose securely over the fan on the outside of the box.
Place the other end of the hose in a slightly opened window. You can use a piece of cardboard to block the rest of the window gap.
And you're done! You now have a functional spray booth.
How to Use Your New DIY Spray Booth
Place your model inside the box.
Turn on the fan.
Spray your primer, varnish, or airbrush as normal. You’ll see the fumes get instantly sucked into the hose.
When finished, let the fan run for a few more minutes to clear any residual particles.
The Thrifty Painter's Final Verdict
This build isn't just about saving money—it's about enabling safe practice. It effectively captures probably 90% of the particulates and fumes that would otherwise fill your room. While it might not have the fireproof safety of a $200 metal booth, it is a massive, functional upgrade from spraying in an open box.
For anyone using spray cans or airbrushes indoors, this is the most important $20 you can spend on your hobby. Your lungs will thank you.
Have you built a DIY spray booth? What design did you use? Share your tips and photos in the comments below!
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