Wasted $400 on a cheap paint booth filter setup | Auto Body Repairers

Evan Jenkins · 2026-04-28T22:45:03.513869+00:00

Bought one of those bargain booth filters from a online surplus place and it clogged up after 3 cars, now my paint has dust nibs all over. Anyone else get burned by cheap filters and have a brand that actually lasts?

shanegibson5mo ago

Pre-filter mat is what saves you money, not the main filter itself.

5

blair6264mo ago

I got the same setup from the surplus shop, thought I was being smart. After the second hood turned into a sandpaper mess, I caved and threw a pre-filter mat on mine. That was 8 cars ago and the main filter still looks clean, no dust nibs either. The pre-filter catches all the heavy stuff so the main one actually gets to do its job. I used to think it was just extra cost, but now I see it's the key.

5

ramirez.blair5mo ago

Pre-filter is the real hero, main filter is just backup.

3