Topic: Speeding Up Paint Drying in Garage

[burmashave]

I have the misfortune of having a house in which the dryer vents into the garage. Mostly, this keeps the garage on the damp side.  >:(  I've thought about changing it to an external vent; however, it has one benefit in that I use it to keep the garage warmer when I'm out there in the winter (in upstate NY).

I'm doing a small bit o' painting now, and it dawned on me that I could use it as a poor man's paint booth. I turn it on  (no clothes, of course), and let the warm dry air flow into the garage. I crack the back door just a bit to vent air out. It's been cool and rainy for days, so this has been a benefit.

Most folks prolly don't have the wonderful vent-into-garage setup, but you could run a vent hose from your dryer vent if it's near the garage. This is a very small tip; I dunno if anyone would benefit, but it works for me.

[chrislib]

just make sure it`s NOT a gas dryer

[lone*X]

Over the years I have painted several bikes and cars in the garage with good results.  But the biggest issue by far is not the temperature, it's dust.  The "paint booth"  needs to be spotless and dust must not be in the air.  Each spec of floating dust that settles on wet paint will leave a pucker.  Just more to wet sand out.  I would think that a laundry dryer venting into the garage for months/years would leave a considerable amount of dust to contend with.   The dryer blowing while the paint was wet would just stir up what was already there.  Clean the garage completely, wait for a day when the temperature and humidity are within the paint manufactures specs, drape new plastic drop cloths over everything you don't want overspray on, lightly dampen the floor and keep the air still while painting.  Wear a quality painters respirator, not just a dust mask, and give it a go.

[Terry in Australia]

In colder weather, I use an old upright clothes dryer to initially warm the object to be painted, then to dry the paint once I've sprayed it.

Cold weather though, is not a good time to paint full stop, because cold air entering through doors and windows can turn expensive acrylic laquer into shiit, no matter how good your preparation is.

Best to wait for warmer weather and play with the mechanicals instead. Cheers, Terry.

[Steve F]

How do you manage the lint output from the dryer.....clothes or no clothes, there's lint that blows out the vent onto your freshly paiinted object 

[my78k]

I always use my old Nylons (leggings) when they get a run in them...  lol...just kidding!! Don't start with me Terry!! Actually I have used my wife's before...not the fishnet ones though as they let too much lint through them...

Dennis

[Terry in Australia]

Aw Man, I really wanted to make a smart arse remark then too, what a gip..............