If you have shopped for Andreae exhaust filters, you have run into the codes: AF123, AF413, AF423, AF813, AF923, plus the UCUBE 300. They look like part numbers, and it is not obvious which one your booth needs. This guide decodes the Andreae lineup we stock, explains the accordion design that makes these filters work, and shows you how to pick the right format by your booth's airflow and opening size.
What an Andreae filter actually is
An Andreae filter is a dry exhaust filter built from accordion-folded kraft paper. Instead of a flat mat, the media is pleated into a deep concertina of angled channels. Overspray-laden air has to change direction repeatedly as it threads through the folds, and every turn throws paint particles onto the paper by impaction. The solids stay locked in the labyrinth; clean air passes through.
Two things make the accordion format popular in production shops. First, the folded geometry packs a large amount of capture surface into a compact face, which gives it strong dust-holding capacity: it holds a lot of paint before it loads up. Second, it loads progressively and evenly, so airflow stays stable across the life of the filter instead of falling off a cliff. Andreae accordion media is a high-efficiency overspray filter. Think of its performance in weight-capture terms rather than expecting it to stop everything.
Pads versus rolls: the two formats
We stock Andreae accordion media in both pads and rolls, plus the self-supporting UCUBE cube. The media is the same; the format is about how your booth holds it.
Choose rolls when...
Your booth has a continuous exhaust bank or filter tracks that you fill with a length of media. Rolls let you cut to the exact run and are usually the most economical per square foot on larger booths.
Choose pads when...
Your booth uses framed slots, or you prefer to swap pre-cut sections. Pads drop into a frame quickly and make changeouts fast with less trimming.
Choose the UCUBE when...
You have a high-volume booth or plenum-style exhaust and want maximum holding capacity. The Andreae UCUBE 300 is a deep, self-supporting cube (19.2 x 19.2 x 11.7 in., sold in 4-packs) that holds far more overspray than a flat pad, extending the time between changes on heavy-duty lines.
Decoding the AF series we stock
The AF numbers designate different Andreae accordion media configurations. They vary by fold depth, media weight, and the airflow and overspray volume they are tuned for. Rather than chase a code, match the format and capacity to your booth. Here is how the stocked options line up:
| Andreae option | Format | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| AF123 | Accordion pad / roll | The classic Andreae media; general-purpose collision and finishing booths |
| AF413 / AF423 | Accordion media variants | Booths needing a different fold and capacity balance for steady production |
| AF813 / AF923 | Higher-capacity accordion | Heavier overspray volume and longer intervals between changes |
| UCUBE 300 | Self-supporting cube, 19.2x19.2x11.7, 4-pack | High-volume exhaust needing maximum dust-holding capacity |
All of the pad and roll options live under one product family, the Andreae high-efficiency accordion exhaust filter in pads and rolls, alongside the UCUBE. Browse the full lineup in the Andreae filters and Andreae exhaust filters collections. If you are unsure which AF configuration your booth was set up for, send us the model and airflow and we will confirm it, no guessing on specs. Don't know your booth's make or model at all? Start by measuring it: our guide on finding your filter when the label is gone shows how to identify the right exhaust media by size.
How to pick the right Andreae for your booth
Two numbers drive the choice: your booth's exhaust opening size and its airflow (CFM).
- Size — measure the exhaust bank or frame face and match the roll width or pad size to fill it fully. Gaps let overspray bypass the media.
- Airflow and overspray volume — higher CFM and heavier daily spraying favor a higher-capacity format (the deeper accordions or the UCUBE) so you are not changing filters constantly.
- Changeout tolerance — watch the pressure drop on your manometer. When it climbs to your booth's limit, the filter is loaded; higher-capacity media buys more time between changes.
Not sure how the accordion stacks up against other exhaust media? Compare in Andreae vs fiberglass vs pocket filters and polyester vs fiberglass exhaust, and see how it fits into a full multi-stage exhaust staging setup. On a high-volume production line, our industrial finishing filter specs show where accordion media slots into a staged design.
When to replace it
Whichever format you run, replace it on condition, not just on a calendar. Our guide to when to replace paint booth filters covers the pressure and finish signals to watch, and the background on the exhaust side lives in paint booth exhaust filters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Andreae AF123 and AF923?
They are different accordion configurations. AF123 is the classic general-purpose media; the higher-series options such as AF923 are tuned for heavier overspray volume and longer service intervals. Match the configuration to your booth's airflow and how fast it loads rather than the number itself.
Are Andreae filters sold as pads or rolls?
Both. Rolls suit continuous exhaust banks and cut to your run; pads drop into framed slots for quick changes. The UCUBE 300 cube is a third option for high-volume booths that need maximum holding capacity.
How big is the Andreae UCUBE 300?
The UCUBE 300 measures 19.2 x 19.2 x 11.7 inches and ships in 4-packs. Its deep cube shape holds far more overspray than a flat pad, which stretches the interval between changes on high-volume lines.
Get the right Andreae for your booth
Stop guessing at AF codes. Match the format to your exhaust opening and airflow, step up in capacity as your overspray volume grows, and you will run cleaner with fewer changes. Browse the Andreae exhaust filters collection, or tell us your booth model and CFM and we will confirm the exact accordion filter you need.
Skip the code, order the right Andreae filter
Whether your booth needs a pad, a roll, or the high-capacity UCUBE, we stock genuine Andreae accordion media ready to ship. Orders placed before 2pm MST ship the same day.
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