Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for drying objects (2) in particular painted vehicle bodies. In said method, the objects (2) are displaced through a drying zone (6), in which they are cured in an inert atmosphere. The aim of the invention is to introduce the objects (2) into the drying zone (8), whilst at the same time preventing the entry of as much of the normal atmosphere of possible from the exterior. To achieve this, the objects (2) are conducted through a lock zone (7), which is located upstream of the drying zone (8) and in which the normal atmosphere lying outside the drying zone (8) and an inert gas atmosphere are present in strata as a result of a difference in densities. The objects (2) are displaced during their passage through the lock zone (7) from the normal atmosphere into the inert gas atmosphere by a motion comprising a vertical component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for drying objects (2), especially painted vehicle bodies. According to said method, the objects (2) are displaced through a dry zone (8) wherein they are hardened in an inert gas atmosphere. Inert gas is continuously or intermittently removed from the dry zone (8), and guided along at least one surface which is cooled to a temperature below the dew point of the impurities contained in the inert gas. In this way, the impurities condense on the cooled surface. The relatively costly inert gas can thus be used for a long time.