Choosing a dealer

Whether you go through a manufacturer or a dealer, choosing a reliable source for your spray paint booth is important. Simply picking a booth out of a catalog is rarely the best way to approach the purchasing decision.

Above all, look for a company that tries to understand exactly what you need and provides a solution to match. Many will come to your location to evaluate the location for the booth. This can be a big help, since they may suggest construction and ventilation options you hadn't considered. They can also help with decisions about sizing, airflow, and other choices.

If you're not buying from a manufacturer, make sure you know exactly who has responsibility if anything needs repair. If something does go wrong, you don't want finger pointing between the dealer and the manufacturer as they try to decide who should address your problem.

Be prepared to ask a lot of questions. For example:

• What kind of airflow do I need in my booth?
• How soon can you deliver and/or install a booth?
• How will the booth contribute to heat loss in my building?
• What kind of warranties do you provide?
• How upgradeable are your booths?
• Does this booth meet OSHA and other requirements in my area?

Installation options
Installation can be handled in several ways. The most basic and least expensive is delivery of a spray booth kit that you put together yourself. Manufacturers who follow this model provide detailed plans and simplify the construction process: some require little more than a drill, ladder, and other basic tools.

No matter how simple the instructions, there's always a chance that something could go wrong, so make sure the vendor provides a help line you can call if you run into problems. And even with these simplified booths, you may need professional help for more complex tasks such as installing vents that go through a roof, or connecting to existing HVAC equipment.

More typical is full installation – you pay for a crew to come out and put the booth together. This ensures professional-quality results and minimizes disruption of your regular work. It also protects your business if something goes wrong – if there’s a problem with the installation, the crew is responsible for resolving the issue.

A third choice that can be a great money-saver is "supervision-only" assistance. In this model, you pay for one professional installer to come out and manage the construction process, but you provide the manpower. This is a great choice if you have reasonably qualified mechanics or builders, but don't have expertise in spray booths. It provides the expert oversight without overextending your budget.