Help on new Shop Layout?

Hi guys,

I am from South Africa and quite new to the business. We've been going for about 18 months now and things are really looking good.
90% of our current business is automotive but we are now starting to expand to flat glass as well.
When we started the business we converted an exsisting house into some 2 workshops, a cutting room, reception, some offices, etc.
We are thinking of moving to a new premises which would include designing and building our own workshop.
I would appreciate it I could get some suggestions, tips or comments on a potential layout.
Any existing designs or photo's would be highly appreciated.

Cheers,

Ian

Are there no replies or suggestions?
I would really appreciate anything you guys can add here or photo's of your shops...

Try this thread:

http://www.tintdude.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=34071

This has always been an interesting subject to me. I love to see pictures of other shops to help get ideas for my own shop but what I woul actually like to see is the ultimate set-up with blueprint pictures.

For me right now it is just a dream but I would like to build an new shop one day from the ground up.

Hi dbdreams,

This is exactly the oportunity we have now and what we would like to do, the ultimate lay-out/set-up.
So, if anyone have any ideal or dream plans/lay-out, this would be a good place to show/discuss this.

Thanks,

Ian

There is another thread in the general section on this subject that has pictures and might help you out some.

My idea of what I would like to see is plans, designs and pictures of a "factory" tint shop. Like if one of the big names ( llumar, Solar Gard, Madico, 3M ) were to build a reatail shop on one of the busiest streets in America. This shop would have only the latest cutting edge setup and design with all the latest in tools and hardware to enable the most qualified employees to put out the best tint jobs ever.

Some of the ideas I have, would include a radiant heated floor with drains that would be directly under the car running the length of it. The radiant heat would help to keep the floor dry and the rest of the water would flow under the car to the drain. The floor would have the latest and greatest in epoxy floor paint (or maybe soemthing better?) to help keep the floor clean & looking and fresh.

Heat guns would be special made for automotive tinting to "factory" specifications adjustable within the limits of temps and air force suggested by the factories and there would be one on each side of the car connected to a retractable cord hanging from the ceiling.

Water supply would also be retractable on each side of the car hanging from the ceiling and there would be some sort of water purification system to enure the cleanest water possible to be used to tint. Also there would be a system that automatically mixed just the right the right amount of slip solution to provide the best results for applying tint. This system would be adjustable to the tinters preference but within the "factory" specifications to ensure that not too much is used producing an unwanted effect to look or longevity.

The heating and air unit would be of the latest technology and would help filter the most airborne contaminants possible that could adversly affect your finished product. Now I am talking within reason not so far as a paint booth although that would be nice.

There would be a pressure washer that would be used daily to rinse and clean the walls and floors to help get rid of the unwanted dust and pariticles

There would be glass mounted on the wall from the 3ft to 6ft high on all unused wall area. This would be ideal on each side of the car from the front of the front door of the car to the back of the rear bumper assuming the car is parked in the center of the shop.

Each install bay would be completly seperate so that when the doors are rasied to bring cars in or out the other installation bays with tinting in process is not interupted by unwated wind and air from the outside. Each bay would be as described as above.

There would be a stock room that had plenty of shelving that would allow at a glance to see what films are in stock. There would be a place to keep all supplies in order. In this room would also be a washer and dryer so that you can keep your microfiber rags and towels clean.

Naturally the customer waiting area would be very clean with complete information & professional looking displays. It would also have a HD flat screen (preferably 36" or better) that would be a constant slideshow of cars that your shop has done. A second HD flat screen would be dedicated to all the commercial and residentials jobs completed by your shop with before and after shots. And a third HD flat screen for waiting customers to watch TV. Also ideally there would be at least one very informed attractive young lady who has the ability to show customers their film choices and answer any questions that a customer might have. Ideally there would always be someone dedicated to this area and this person would be there to answer the phones as well. The waiting area would also be Wi/Fi capable as a free service to the customers. At least on one side would be a vending area for drinks and snacks.

On the outside the shop would be very appealing and have plenty of parking. The parking area and the area in front of the bay doors would be a slick asphalt surface that can be pressure washed as needed. The area directly in front of the bay doors would be setup in a way to let customers know there is no parking in this area to help eliviate lot shuffling cars. Also there would be a dedicated area to park cars waiting for pick-up. This area would be situated so that as much sun as possible would be shining on it and readily available for passers by to see and appreciate what professonalism your shop puts out. Also there would be curb systems to allow for professonal landscaping that will be well maintained and situated in a way that the landscape materials will reamain where intended and not on your drive.

Signage would be on the building and a freestanding sign both of which would be easily seen from great distances and would be simply put and easy to understand what it is that you do. Under the main freestanding sign would be an LCD sign that scrolls with time, temp and other useful information such as specials or safety bullitens.

Whew, that was a long post but that is all I can think of for now but that is my dream tint shop

Lots of great ideas.. If only i had the money to do such as your dream shop/..