Does this look familiar? Chances are you have a similar painting station in your autobody shop.

It is not just enough to have a prep station and to turn it on when you work. The right filters and the right airflow are the key to using this station properly. If you were to run this without filters it would actually stir up more dust and place that dust right on your vehicle. If you run this with filters that are clogged and have never been changed, then the airflow is weakened and more dust will settle onto your vehicle while you paint. Old, clogged filters (especially bags) tend to release the dirt previously caught and that dirt ends up on the vehicle being painted. Another consideration when using this station is to have a curtain around the station area to prevent the station from drawing in dusty air from other parts of the shop. You will notice a big difference when not using a curtain to separate the airflow.

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Let’s start with 1) the overhead diffusion media. This filter has two functions in the operation of your prep station. It is a final filter, which catches all the small particles before it showers your vehicle with clean air. The second function is that of an air diffuser. This filter will distribute the air more evenly over the top of the vehicle being painted to help ensure dusty outside air isn’t leaking into the air flow and landing on your vehicle. There are several varieties of overhead diffusion media to consider, but it is usually best to go with a filter similar to what the manufacturer of the prep station recommends. The best way to shop for these filters is with a side by side comparison. If you are using a good primary filter, you will not need to change these overhead pads very often, as the primary filter will catch almost all of the particles. The overhead filters can last well over a year under average usage if you are properly changing the trench and primary filters. If you see that one spot of this overhead filter is getting dirtier than other areas; you may need to alter the airflow through the system. Often times the front of the pad toward the cabinet will be dirtier than the outer part. You will want to talk with the manufacturer of the prep station if this is happening to see about putting in a baffle or other options. dp filters has the right filters for you and can cross reference your prep station to offer you several alternatives that fit your unique shop the best.

2) The trench filter is there mainly to catch the paint overspray, but it also collects dust, leaves, and other things floating around the shop. This filter will actually catch more dust and dirt as it fills up. Once this filter is full, it will start releasing the dirt previously caught. It is important and cost effective to change this filter often to help keep the more expensive primary filter from loading up too quickly. When you purchase this filter media you want to pay attention to the density of the fiberglass. The rolls or pads should be labeled in grams with the most popular being 14(good), 18(better), and 22(best) grams. With more grams of weight, the filter will have more fiberglass and catch more dust and dirt. While it catches more dust and dirt it will also fill up quicker. The 18-gram fiberglass seems to be a good compromise between removing enough particles from the air, and the length of time the filter will last. dp filters has the right filter for you as you can choose between pads and rolls, and the different densities.

3) The primary filter is the most expensive and most important filter in this three-stage filtration process. While the trench filter will catch around 20% of the particles, which will visibly blemish your paint job, the primary filter should remove around 95% of those same size particles. Most prep station systems use a bag type filter with multiple pockets for the primary filter. New technology has more recent prep stations using a 12" deep box type filter instead of the bags. The pockets in the bag filters sometimes rub together and wear out a hole allowing dust and dirt to go through and onto the vehicle. The box type filter is usually less expensive also, which makes it the overall better choice if it will fit into your cabinet correctly. A lot of the bags are 22" x 26" which is in "odd size" in the filter industry. If you can convert the cabinet to hold the box type filters in sizes of 20" x 24", 24" x 24", 12" x 24", or 20" x 20" you will save money in the long run and do a better job filtering the air. If this is not possible for you, a suggestion would be to keep an eye on your bags for holes. dp filters once again has the best selection for your unique needs and would be happy to consult with you on what the best filtration process is for you.