Starting off yourself

September 22, 2003

Hi all, been tinting for 10 years and feel that it is time to go it alone. The problem is that I have only been tinting for companies that employ at least 4 tinters, one was up to 10 where the floor space was huge. I have a few ideas of the size of space that I need, obviously one area big enough for a car to have all its doors open and to be able to get around the whole car etc (nothing worse than trying to play pool and a wall getting in the way) a bit of space for a cutting table etc, bit of space for an office etc (quiet to speak to customers on the phone). Obviously this is only for starters, but don't want to screw myself by paying too much for something that I don't need/use.

Please give me your ideas....square metres or square feet is fine....I suppose this question would apply to most of the self employed tinters here, you all would have had to start somewhere.

September 22, 2003

I have 40X40 shop space. and it's too big for 1 person. a 40X20 or 30X30 would be nice size work space for 1 person.

September 22, 2003

I'm building brand new 24x36 with all the goodies needed for film..one thing I'm particularly proud of is my (D.E.S.) Dust Elimination system...I designed it myself and it doubles as a floor drain...

Image Tint · September 22, 2003

Tell us a little more about that one reddot...

September 22, 2003

yes is it like a paint booth that has a down draft air system for filtration?

September 22, 2003

this sounds interesting

hoosierwindowtek · September 22, 2003

RD,

Call it the R.D.D.E.S :rollin

Spesh,

I work at home in a 2 car garage and for someone else in a 1700sq. ft. shop where my section is only big enough for 1 vehicle at a time. My feeling is that if you're the only one working, you only need enough room for 1 vehicle at a time.

September 22, 2003

I used 2" black iron pipe and put it in the concrete floor when the concrete was put in, it sits about 1/4 up all the way around the bays..Then I drilled 5/16 holes every 4" to allow dust and water to be swept in it..I hooked up a commercial vent to the end with a pvc adaptor I made. The ends of the pipe run out under the foundation so when I turn on the vent it sucks down the air in the building through the holes and keeps a small but powerful vacume on the entire system. The 1/4 lip acts as levey to keep water from running on to the walls when I spray the floor down and sweep the water to the pipe..the water also keeps the dust and dirt flowing out the pipes. I put a nipple on the pipes so I can hook up the air compressor and blast any possible clogs out just in case I encounter one. The holes are 1/4 for the purpose of keeping out large rocks and whatever else might try to get in..I would recommend this to anyone that has the ability to build there shop from scratch..Since I only use the bays for film it is ideal for dust control...I have eaten off the floor many times... :rollin

September 23, 2003

as soon as it's all done I will post a bunch of pics..can't wait to be done---I'm tired of looking at the unfinished product..like a kid at Christmas

tintguy · September 23, 2003

I'd love to those pics reddot. I split rent with a body shop, I personally use about 900 sq. ft. I have the showroom and the front part of the bay. The body shop uses the rear for storage. The cool thing is they store cars in my space overnight and if I need the space and can move cars to pull rigs,boats, or limos in when I need the space. Great in the winter to help warm the next car up.