The Greatest Factor Influencing Paint Suit Wear

Why breathability has the biggest impact on wearing spray suits

It is widely understood that painters in the automotive industry should always wear a spray suit to protect themselves and the quality of their work; however, even with the awareness of the risks to personal health and finish work, the factor that affects wearing a spray paint suit the most is comfort. 

Let’s first address evident safety concerns: despite any issues of how uncomfortable not wearing a spray suit might be, it is still vital for professional auto body painters to protect their entire bodies while on the job. Painters should not only wear a full-coverage paint suit but also a respirator. Daily exposure to toxic chemicals and harmful fumes can cause serious health issues including major skin irritation and other prolonged medical conditions. 

Next, going without a spray suit can compromise the quality of the paint job due to the possibility of blemishes caused by contaminants such as dust. Antistatic coatings or fabrics prevent electrostatic charges from attracting dust or other materials to the paint suit and possibly making their way to the paint job. This is another reason why it is so important to always wear an antistatic paint suit. Antistatic materials and coatings block the static electricity charges thus not attracting unwanted contaminants into the paint booth. 

In addition to being antistatic, spray suits made of lint-free materials are also equally essential to make certain you achieve the cleanest finishing job. Like dust, lint can affect the quality of your paintwork. For even further coverage, wearing a dark-colored or black suit like the CTW Black Nylon & Carbon Fiber Paint Suit will help reveal dust or other particles that should be removed before entering the booth.

The Breathability Factor

Even knowing these hazards and quality issues, why do painters often still forego wearing a coverall paint suit? This is because historically paint suits have been hot and uncomfortable. Paint booths are typically extremely warm so the apprehension of wearing a full-body suit is valid; however, this is why breathability is so important. This is why CTW offers a trusted selection of breathable paint suit styles. We know that comfortable and breathable spray suits that have been carefully tested will increase the probability that a painter wears a suit while in the paint booth, and this is made possible with expertly designed breathable fabrics and construction.

A spray paint suit constructed of breathable fabric in the key places where you need it will help to regulate body temperature while in use. Breathability in design is accomplished by using mesh fabric that provides airflow in areas like the back of the suit and hood allowing heat to release and will help painters remain cooler while still being fully protected. This ventilation will prevent possible overheating, dehydration, and fatigue in the booth.

Although temperature control is the main factor affecting comfort, there are other paint suit features to help painters stay focused for longer amounts of time and improve the quality of the job. The best paint suits offer full-body dexterity and allow optimal movement to give the painter a full range of motion with their hands, arms, and lower body. A paint suit with a comfortable hood and elastic cuffs for the wrists and ankles not only adds protection but helps the painter remain comfortable and retain sweat, as well. 

Whether it’s comfort, protection, or performance, it is imperative to always “suit up” before any paint job. See all of the thoughtfully selected paint suits that are available from CTW International including our private labelling service to add your auto shop logo. ​​Contact us with any questions about our protective suits and other auto body paint supplies today.