Side Downdraft Paint Booths

In side downdraft paint booths, filtered air enters through a full-length ceiling plenum and flows downward over the product. Filtered exhaust plenums are located on each side wall, pulling air toward the walls instead of the floor. The resulting airflow begins vertically like downdraft systems, but shifts to horizontal like cross draft systems. This “sideways” airflow ensures contaminants, such as overspray and dust, are pulled away from the booth’s center, supporting high-quality finishes.

Side downdraft paint booths are a hybrid of downdraft and cross draft systems, offering some of the benefits of each. There is no concrete floor pit, which simplifies installation and reduces upfront costs compared to downdraft configurations. The sideways direction may also reduce the turbulence created by airflow. 

Side downdraft systems deliver more uniform airflow than cross draft configurations, producing better finishes. Semi-downdraft systems have “dead zones” where the airflow isn’t strong enough to remove contaminants, allowing overspray to build over time. Side downdraft paint booths don’t have this problem thanks to their sideways airflow.

A side downdraft paint booth’s exhaust plenums increase the width of the unit, requiring more floor space than other configurations. Installation is also more challenging than any other configuration, except for downdraft, with complex ductwork required to guide air where it needs to go. This makes side downdraft paint booths more expensive than semi-downdraft and cross draft systems. 

While overspray is pulled away from the product, the sideways airflow may hit the painter as it’s pulled toward the exhaust plenums on the side walls. Painters must understand where the air exhausts and stay clear as they work. Airflow may also prove less consistent across the workspace than in downdraft booths, preventing side downdraft paint booths from achieving the highest-end results.

Side downdraft paint booths require standard maintenance to perform their best. Here is a breakdown of how to take care of your booth:

Daily

• Sweep and mop the floors to remove overspray and other contaminants
• Wipe down doors, windows and walls to maintain visibility
• Ensure doors are sealed when the booth is not in use

Weekly

• Inspect intake and exhaust filters for blockages or contaminant saturation, replacing as necessary
• Verify all lights are in good working order, and clean the covers to maintain optimal visibility
• Check ducts and fans for damage

Monthly

• Clean all ventilation system components thoroughly to maintain unobstructed airflow
• Inspect all of your unit’s seals and gaskets, applying caulk or replacing any damaged parts
• Clean or replace filters more thoroughly than your weekly check

Maintaining a side downdraft paint booth may feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. GFS offers a service and preventative maintenance program, in which a certified technician will visit your facility quarterly or annually to inspect all booth components, replace filters and other parts as necessary, and apply Booth Shield peelable floor and wall coverings. We’ll also perform a deep clean and evaluate your booth’s performance.

Yes. Our in-house engineering and design team includes licensed engineers, software developers and designers who can build custom paint booths for all types of applications. We use advanced tools like computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to simulate performance, saving you time and money. We can also provide stamped drawings to facilitate permit approval across all 50 U.S. states and Canada.

Yes, all GFS products are fully compliant with guidelines published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the International Code Council (ICC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition, all of our products undergo rigorous third-party testing by Electrical Testing Labs (ETL). Our products meet or exceed all performance benchmarks, and our engineers contribute to safety codes in multiple industries. 

Local regulations may differ from national guidelines. You should familiarize yourself with safety rules in your area before purchasing any finishing equipment.

GFS has over 50 years of experience in the finishing industry. We design paint booths for various industries ranging from automotive refinishing and woodworking to manufacturing and military applications, and can apply industry-specific insight to virtually any facility. Our U.S.-based vertical manufacturing process gives us complete control over booth design, installation and maintenance. If issues with your equipment arise, we’re ready to help, as our technical support team provides expert assistance with fast response times. 

GFS also has the best distribution network in the finishing industry. Our distributors are trained to provide local support with installation, product training and more.

Request an automotive refinish or industrial products quote today. We’ll connect you with a local GFS distributor who can help you compare options and walk you through the ordering process. You can also contact us for immediate assistance. We look forward to working with you.