How MSOs Can Achieve High-Throughput Results With Optimized Paint Booth Layouts

For multi-shop operators (MSOs) and large collision repair centers, efficiency and consistency are everything. A well-designed paint booth layout isn’t just a nicety, it can be the backbone of high-volume, high-quality output. With the right planning, shops can reduce bottlenecks, speed up job flow, and ensure uniform finishes across vehicles.

At Accudraft, we build paint booths and finishing systems with scale and performance in mind, and we’ve seen firsthand how layout directly impacts throughput, safety, and long-term shop success.

One way that modern booth layouts become even more powerful is with Accudraft LIVE™, an advanced control and data platform that ties together booth operations across your facility or multiple locations. With LIVE™, MSOs can monitor paint booth status, job cycles, temperature, humidity, and filter life in real time from a centralized dashboard, helping identify bottlenecks and opportunities to improve throughput. The system also offers remote diagnostics, maintenance reminders, and data-driven insights into job costs and cycle times, so managers can make faster, smarter decisions that keep operations running smoothly.

For shops with multiple paint booths or sites, LIVE™ provides bird’s-eye visibility across the entire network of finishing systems, making it easier to standardize processes and maintain consistent performance no matter where the work is done. By combining well-planned paint booth layouts with LIVE™’s actionable data, MSOs can not only optimize physical workflows but also unlock new levels of operational efficiency and predictive upkeep.

Start with the Right Booth Platform for Your Shop’s Scale

Accudraft offers a variety of booth platforms to match shop size and throughput needs.

• For high-throughput shops managing many vehicles per day: larger booths that accommodate spacious workflows and advanced airflow/mechanical systems are key.
• For smaller shops or secondary locations: smaller or mid-sized booths may suffice, but layout planning needs to anticipate growth and incoming volume.

Starting with the correct platform ensures your booth won’t become a bottleneck as volume scales.

Align Workflow to Reduce Wait Times

High-throughput operations depend on a smooth, linear workflow. That means aligning prep stations, mixing rooms, paint booths, and curing/finish areas in a logical, unbroken flow.

• Avoid layout designs where vehicles or parts have to double back or cross paths—congestion kills throughput.
• Use space efficiently: corridors, entry/exit points, and staging areas must support steady flow of vehicles and staff.
• Keep ventilation, exhaust, and air-makeup unit (AMU) placement in mind to avoid airflow conflicts or bottlenecks as multiple jobs run concurrently.

Accudraft’s design options let MSOs tailor layouts based on shop footprint and vehicle mix.

Plan for Flexibility: Different Vehicles, Different Jobs, Different Needs

MSOs need flexibility. On any given day, a shop might handle compact cars, SUVs, vans, or even large fleet trucks. A rigid paint-booth layout limits versatility.

Accudraft recognizes this: their booths support custom sizes and the ability to handle “oversized” jobs—from large trucks to heavy equipment and fleet vehicles.

Designing a shop with modular—or at least flexible—layout capacity means you can adapt to changing job types without disrupting throughput or quality.

Use Efficient Airflow & Mechanical Design to Support Volume Work

Airflow, curing cycles, and mechanical support have massive impact on cycle times, especially when shooting waterborne or low-VOC paints that require precise environmental control.

Accudraft booths are engineered with high-production in mind. Their integrated air makeup units (AMUs) and configurable airflow patterns help manage heat, ventilation, and curing efficiently.

Properly engineered airflow reduces overspray, ensures consistent finish quality, and lets you run multiple jobs per day without sacrificing reliability, essential for MSO throughput.

Standardize Across Locations for Consistency and Predictability

One big challenge for MSOs is consistency across different locations: different staff, different equipment, different local conditions. Standardized booth layouts help reduce variability.

By using the same booth platform (or a limited set of configurable platforms) across shops, you:

• Ensure similar airflow, curing, and environmental conditions.
• Simplify training, quality control, and process standardization.
• Make maintenance and parts replacement easier.

Accudraft’s repeatable, configurable systems are ideal for MSOs seeking scalability and consistency.

Choose Accudraft Paint Booths

If you’re running a multi-shop operation or planning to scale up, investing time in designing the right paint booth layout is not optional—it’s essential for throughput, quality, and long-term growth.

Ready to optimize your shop for scale? Reach out to Accudraft today to get a layout consultation and see how the right paint booth layout can transform your workflow.