Tim Puro writes:

I am currently using a variation on Don Williams' carbon filter system on-site. The system consists of a 20" square box fan with brackets attached on the side that holds a 20" square fiberglass furnace filter against the intake side of the fan. I use the fiberglass filter to hold a 3/8" thick activated carbon filter sheet that is used in air purifiers. The filter looks like a big sheet of Scotchbrite. I bought the filter at Lowes and it is called an Idylis Universal Carbon Pre Filter.

I have attached some pictures of fan set up on site. I let the fan run on low all the time and then crank it up when I spray aerosols or pad a lot of Wilpro. It takes the solvent smell from the air. The only complaint I received about odors was when I was using Simple Green far away from the fan. The "toxic" smell lingered for awhile and they asked me to stop using that cleaner as one of the employees was very sensitive to industrial solvents! I have to admit that I am not fond of the Simple Green smell, but it is funny that the shellac, spray lacquer and padding lacquer did not bother them because of the carbon filter. I have also used the fan box in the shop while I was spritzing No Blush on a water mark and it did a good job of absorbing that potent solvent smell as well.

When I am not using the air cleaner I fold up the carbon filter and put it in the plastic bag it came in.

I don't know if the fan/filter would work for continuous spray conditions, but it does the trick for on-site touch up work when I am using aerosols.

Tim Puro

Bloomington, IN