A method and apparatus are provided for viewing an object (such as a coating overspray accumulation) disposed in a difficult to view area (such as the underside of a lower trough or weir of a cleaning apparatus) and for measuring a distance between first and second points on the object. The apparatus includes a laser, a mirror and a measuring instrument. The mirror reflects a laser beam generated by the laser such that the laser beam is divided into first and second portions that are disposed at a right angle to each other. The laser is moved along a measurement path to a first measurement position that places the second portion of the laser beam at the first point on the object. The laser is then moved along the measurement path to a second measurement position that places the second portion of the laser beam at the second point on the object. Using the measuring instrument, the distance between the first and second measurement positions is then measured, thereby providing a measure of the distance between the first and second points on the object.