5 Things That Lead to Better Finishing Equipment Investments
- Jan 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 31
Choosing finishing equipment isn’t just a purchase — it’s a long-term business decision that affects quality, safety, compliance, productivity, and operating cost. Use this guide to evaluate any finishing system before you invest.
1. Proper Sizing for Today — and Tomorrow
Your finishing equipment must be sized for:
The largest product you will ever finish
Future products, not just current ones
Operator movement and access
Airflow clearance
Material handling equipment
Industrial Sizing Rule of Thumb:
Add:
+5 ft to length
+5 ft to width
+3 ft to height
For multiple parts, allow 3 ft between each part.
Don’t Forget Material Handling:
Forklifts, cranes, dollies, and conveyors all require additional clearance for:
Turning radius
Lift height
Attachments
Safe operator movement
These factors directly determine:
Door size
Ceiling height
Booth footprint
Common mistake: Buying a booth that fits today’s parts but limits future growth.
2. Airflow Design, Heating, Filtration & Energy Use
Airflow determines finish quality, contamination control, safety, and operating cost.
Airflow Styles:
Type | Best For |
Crossflow | Budget, low-volume |
Reverse Flow | Space-limited shops |
Semi-Downdraft | Mid-range quality |
Downdraft | Highest finish quality |
Side-Downdraft | High quality without pit |
Open Face | Large or irregular parts |
Key Considerations:
Complex parts benefit from vertical airflow
High-finish work demands downdraft or side-downdraft
Horizontal airflow uses less energy
Vertical airflow delivers cleaner finishes
Pressurization
A pressurized booth prevents dust and contaminants from entering the spray area and ensures consistent airflow and finish quality.
Heating
Heated booths:
Improve cure consistency
Increase throughput
Reduce rework
Retrofitting heat later is far more expensive than planning for it early.
Filtration
Options range from basic overspray capture to multi-stage and HEPA systems depending on coating type and compliance needs.
Energy Efficiency
Look for:
Prep mode airflow reduction
High recirculation bake modes
Efficient burner designs
Direct-fired heater options
Energy design decisions dramatically affect long-term operating costs.
3. Booth Location & Facility Integration
Where the booth goes matters as much as the booth itself.
Workflow
Smooth part flow from prep → spray → cure
No congestion or backtracking
Separate staging for finished and unfinished parts
Service Access
Filter replacement access
Fan, heater, and control panel clearance
Safe maintenance walkways
Ductwork
Straight duct runs whenever possible
Properly engineered elbows if needed
Adequate ceiling clearance
Environmental Factors
Lighting quality
Temperature and humidity control
Noise levels
Fume management
Poor placement creates bottlenecks, safety risks, and long-term frustration.
4. Permitting, Safety & Compliance
Your finishing system must meet all applicable codes.
Key areas include:
Local building permits
Fire marshal approval (NFPA 33)
Environmental air quality permits
OSHA workplace safety standards
ETL Listing — Critical Point
Ensure the entire booth system is ETL Listed, not just individual components. A true system listing confirms all components work together safely and compliantly.
Permitting delays can range from weeks to months — planning early avoids costly project delays.
5. Lifecycle Cost, Not Just Purchase Price
The lowest purchase price often leads to the highest long-term cost.
Evaluate:
Energy consumption
Filter replacement frequency and cost
Maintenance requirements
Downtime risk
Upgrade limitations
Future expansion capability
Common Buying Mistakes:
Undersizing
Buying on price alone
Ignoring energy efficiency
Skipping professional airflow testing
Poor duct design
No recirculation cure mode
Smart Questions to Ask Any Vendor
Is the full system ETL Listed?
What codes does it comply with?
What are the installation requirements?
What are the maintenance and filter costs?
What heating and curing options exist?
How is energy efficiency achieved?
Can it be customized?
What support is provided after installation?
Final Thought
High-performing finishing operations are built with:
✔ Proper sizing
✔ Correct airflow strategy
✔ Smart energy design
✔ Thoughtful facility integration
✔ Full compliance planning
When these five areas are done right, you get:
Better finish quality
Lower operating cost
Higher throughput
Safer working conditions
Long-term business growth
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