The Myths and the Magic of Controlling Dust in DIY Auto Painting

[RosharonRooster]

ive never even stepped in a real paint booth....

 

[RosharonRooster]

It is very much location and humidty dependant. It totally makes sense that you wouldn't have seen any difference in a region with higher humidty.

Here is a breakdown:

Humidity has a significant effect on static electricity.

Here's the quick science:​

• Low humidity = more static
• High humidity = less static

Why?​

Static electricity builds up when electrons accumulate on a surface and can't easily dissipate. In dry air (low humidity), there's less moisture to carry away that excess charge.


Water molecules in humid air act like tiny conductors, allowing static charges to leak away harmlessly. When humidity is high, surfaces (including your skin, plastic, cars, etc.) are slightly more conductive, reducing the chances of a static charge building up or discharging suddenly.

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Practical Effects:​

Humidity Level	Static Electricity Risk	Common Effects
Below 30%	Very High	Shocks, clinging clothes, dust attraction
30–50%	Moderate	Some static, depending on materials
50%+	Low	Static rarely noticeable

Here is a regional map of typical humidity by month (blue and green are dry, yellow and orange are wet:

View attachment 36718

good info. south east texas, in the red. yay lol

 

[BrianK]

Interesting and years ago it was talked about a lot and I use to hang a chain from the car to the concrete. No difference that I could tell. This was in windy and low humidity area so tons of static. I was always getting bit touching the metal car door handles. That shows how long ago that was! Car door handles were metal back then.

Can anyone explain and/or show what static does to your paint job? It was always just listed as a threat but no evidence?
Not sure what to look for?
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Our electric forklift has a grounding strap hanging from the bottom that drags the concrete, i was told they put them on the units with non-marring tires. Our propane unit does not have one, both units are within 8 years old.

 

[Treeslayer]

good info. south east texas, in the red. yay lol

idk why my area is not dark red..........99 degrees today and humid as hell. it will be like this with a few little breaks until some time october. i left the woods at noon today, couldnt take no more and couldnt drink enough.