I'm curious about experiences renting time in paint booths. After several phone calls to shops in my area, I've found most don't rent their booths. Either they don't have time available, or had too many bad experiences (although none would really elaborate on what the problem was.) But, most offered to quote doing the job for me...

If you're a shop owner, do you rent out your booth? If so, how much do you charge? Have you had any bad experiences? What are your biggest concerns? What could a prospective renter say or do to make you more comfortable with the idea? (Security deposit?)

If you've rented space from someone else, how did the experience turn out?

Thanks,
mark.

Do you know anyone in the military? They have hobby shops with paint booths, lifts, etc. Might be something to look into?

I would BET the bad experiences had to do with NOT cleaning up properly, misusing equipment..It WOULD seem like the risk for an actual business renting out their bread and butter would be kind of scary!

My guess would be LIABILITY!

With all the solvents, ISO's, and other crap in todays products, a shop owner would be nuts to rent out his equipment to an amatuer. The legal "release form" would be the size of the LA yellow pages, and still be worthless in court.

Well i will tell you won thing never let a shop paint your car if you can do it yourself because no one will paint you car like you will i was trying to find a shop to rent to paint a 85 regal one time and i could of did it myself but im a outside painter and in the middle of winter(NO)And found a guy that said he would paint if for me but could not rent out his shop and so i went with it oh my lord overspray everywhere i was ready to kick my own ass for even letting him do that. Great Paint Job but just let the over spray get everywhere.

Mark,

Check your local community colleges. Most of them have autobody programs you can register for. You will have access to a very well equipped body shop. Our local college has a continuing education class that meets 4hrs, twice each week for $277. Almost unlimited access to paint booths and shop tools.

Kevin