How do I judge the paint striping equipment used by a line painting company?

Start with a full equipment list: striping machines, hand-push units, layout tools, compressors, the trucks and trailers that move them. Ask for model, age and where each was bought. Match the list against what appears on the seller’s financial statements and against any loan or lease that still has a claim on it.

Then look at condition in person. Ask to see the machines run on a real job, or at least on a test surface. Check how clean and straight the line is, whether pumps and spray tips hold pressure, and whether hoses and fittings look patched. A machine that has been cared for usually has service receipts to show it.

Ask who repairs the equipment and how long a breakdown stops a crew in peak season. Find out whether the seller owns spare parts or relies on one mechanic. Ask what the next big replacement is likely to be and when. Finally, check whether the machines are owned outright or financed, and whether they transfer with the sale. Ask also about the glass beads, paint supply and layout tools that go with each machine.

Key takeaways

• Ask for a full equipment list with ages, service records and any financing against each item.
• See machines work on a real surface before judging them.
• Bring in an appraiser if the equipment drives the decision.
• Ask what the next major replacement is and when it is likely.