The simplest and usually lowest cost paint booth has disposable filters that clean the exhaust air; filters can be installed in the floor (down-draught) or in the end or side walls (cross-draught).

Down draught booths allow operators to stand anywhere in the booth, and paint overspray is drawn downwards and away from them.

Side draught booths necessitate the painter standing facing the direction of airflow, painting from one side only to prevent paint overspray being drawn over them.

Dry filters separate paint from the airstream and it collects in the close weave of the media – dry filters do not remove solvents from the overspray.  As the amount of paint solids build up in the filter the resistance to airflow increases and the velocity of the air extracted begins to fall.  Pressure gauges are often fitted to show the pressure drop and indicate when filters need to be replaced.

Open front, dry-filter booth

Enclosed dry-filter paint booth