Replacing and Upgrading Paint Booths in Kentucky CTE Programs
Many school paint booths were installed decades ago and have carried thousands of students through their first spray jobs. Eventually fans wear out, lights dim, filters stop sealing and controls no longer match current practice. For Kentucky CTE programs facing that point, the decision is whether to repair, upgrade or replace, and how to do it inside an older building with limited downtime.
Discuss your installationReplacing an Aging Program Booth
Removing an old booth means disconnecting exhaust, gas and electrical service, taking down panels and often finding surprises: corroded duct, undersized wiring, roof openings that no longer fit the new fan. We survey the existing booth before removal and plan the new installation so it uses what still works and replaces what does not.
Roof Structure and Fan Curbs
Newer booths often move more air than older ones, which can mean a larger exhaust fan, a different curb and possibly a make-up air unit on the roof. School roofs were not always built with that weight in mind. We bring in the district's structural engineer or architect early to confirm the roof can carry new equipment before anything is ordered.
Prep Stations and Mixing Rooms
Refinish training includes more than spraying. Students sand, prime, mask and mix in other parts of the shop, and those areas need their own ventilation. A mixing room with exhaust and a prep station with downdraft or curtained enclosure keeps dust and vapor out of the classroom.
- Exhausted paint mixing room
- Prep station with dust and vapor control
- Separation between prep, spray and classroom areas
Sequencing With District Maintenance Staff
School districts usually have their own maintenance and facilities staff who know the building. We coordinate work with them on utility shutdowns, roof access, fire alarm interface and building schedules so the project does not catch anyone off guard.
Planning a booth or oven project in Kentucky
Crews mobilize from Houston; Kentucky is roughly 800 miles away, so equipment, panels and tooling are staged and shipped ahead of the install crew.
Manufacturing in Kentucky is concentrated around Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and Northern Kentucky. The sectors most likely to be specifying spray booths, blast rooms, powder systems and cure ovens there include automotive assembly, aerospace components, appliances, and EV batteries.
Hot, humid summers and mild winters put the emphasis on make-up air cooling or tempering, filter change schedules and keeping intake away from loading doors.
Frequently asked questions
Should we repair our old booth or replace it?
If fans, controls and panels are near the end of their life, replacement often makes more sense. If the structure is sound, targeted upgrades may be enough.
Can a new booth reuse the existing roof opening?
Sometimes. It depends on fan size and duct dimensions. We check before planning around it.
Do prep areas need their own exhaust?
Generally yes. Sanding and mixing release dust and vapor that should be captured before reaching the classroom.
What should the school gather for our visit?
Booth make and model if known, roof and building drawings, electrical and gas service information, and the program's goals for the shop.
Can work happen around the school calendar?
Yes. We plan the major work around breaks and do preparation during the year.