---SHOP SIZE---

[tangnut]

HELLO I AM NEW TO THIS GAME.WHAT SIZE SHOP IS NEEDED FOR SMALL STUFF SUCH AS HEADS,VALVE COVERS,TIRE RIMS?
ALSO HOW CLEAN DOES THE SHOP HAVE TO BE? LIKE A DOCTORS OFFICE??.

THANKS TED

ponyycar1@sbcglobal.net

[non-stick]

Well Ted....I can sum that up for you in one easy answer. Anywhere between the size of two parked cars head to tail or 125,000 square feet. lol.

Seriously though. Assuming you are going to be a "jobber" and not run full production overhead lines,phosphate washes and IR pre-heaters.....I'd say your typical 20' X 40' is a good start with the basics. Coating gun, a _good_ compressor, decent sized oven and sanblaster along with running water should be a good base line to what you want to do. As far as the cleanliness.....I've seen it all. One place in CT had floors that I didn't even want to risk putting footprints on because it was so clean, and one in NJ had a door that I had to wear a glove just to turn the knob (no kudo's to CT or slight to NJ....both are in all states that I've been to). The question is.....how clean do you want your coating booth and prep area's more specifically. It's always a good idea to "do your best" when trying to keep clean when dealing with coatings and chemicals. I say invest in a couple of good shop vacuums and a good cyclone sperator for both the coating booth and sandblast cabinet to keep flying particles to a dull roar. Most of the true greatness in powder coatings (all coatings for that fact) comes in the prep anyways. Keep it neat, simple and take your time when dealing with a customer's part. After all.....good word of mouth is the best free advertising you'll ever have. Much luck in the future with your endeavours. If you're in the New England area....post it here. I'd be more than happy to help you set up shop and go over the particulars with you during the whole process. After all...it's what I do.