Before starting any pavement, parking lot or road marking project be sure to always check with the local authorities for that city to be sure the paint you are choosing is compliant with their standards. There are many different types of paints that can be used for parking lot and road marking. Pavement marking paint may be oil based, solvent based, water based, thermoplastic or reflective. This article is meant only as a guide to help you in choosing which paint may best fit your specific project.
POPULAR PAVEMENT PAINT TYPES:
Acrylic Pavement Paint
Acrylic paints can typically washed with water so no special solvent is needed (cheaper clean-up). Acrylic emulsion paints are fast drying and form a water-resistant film after they dry. The acrylic emulsion is an added process for the paint which improves abrasion resistance as well as added resistance to fungi and algae. The emulsion process also helps to make it easier to clean.
Some acrylic pavement paints have an additional designation of ‘fast dry’. Fast dry are made to be dry to the touch in about 5 minutes and ready for traffic in about 15 minutes. With the added benefit of faster drying there is one drawback in that some equipment will not work well with ‘fast dry’ because the paint dries too quickly. So be sure check the paint requirements for the paint application device you are using.
Water based paints like acrylic paint are best applied in temperatures above 50 degrees.
Thermoplastic Paint
Thermoplastic paints have two different application methods: ‘hot’ and ‘cold’. Thermoplastic paint actually contains plastic. The plastic in the paint makes it a very durable paint for intense traffic areas. Thermoplastic paint is also more expensive than regular water based paints though. Typically thermoplastic paint requires a solvent for clean-up which is an added cost to consider.
Cold applied liquid thermoplastic marking paint can be applied with standard airless spray equipment. Hot applied thermoplastic requires either “Torch” or “Melter” application which requires special equipment and added cost. The advantage to hot applied is that it that the finished coat can stand up to years of traffic.
Reflective Paint
Reflective paints generally refers to the addition of glass beads to the paint after it is sprayed. This provides higher reflectivity at night. This process is usually used for striping road lines. The glass beads can be applied by hand by sprinkling the beads over the over wet paint by hand, or you can use a glass bead dispenser like the one below:
*Traffic Safety Warehouse does not sell glass beads.
Pavement paint that stays put without fading or peeling is important to anyone who is marking parking lot lines. After all the work you put into line striping, the last thing you want is to see those lines deteriorate within weeks. In the long run, you need to make sure you get the right product for the job.
Which Is The Right Paint?
Carefully reading labels is always your best bet. The key term to look for is ‘traffic paint’. That should be front and center on the packaging. This is very important as pavement paint is designed to last on hard surfaces. If you try to use another kind of product for parking lot lines, you’ll end up with fading, peeling, and early wear. In short, it’s a complete waste of time and money.
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Not all traffic paint is the same, though. In fact, there are 3 types of traffic paint that will give you long-lasting results. What you will need depends on a few things, so let’s take a look at each one.
1. Canned Aerosal Line Striping Paint
Using the Aerosol Line Striping Paint with the Line Striping Machine is absolutely hands-down the easiest and simplest to use. Anyone can get a professional result with these canisters! For someone like a property manager looking to maintain their own parking lot, this is the perfect solution.
Before you run out and buy it, calculate how much you’ll need of each color. Yes, colors. At the very least you’ll need a yellow or white for the parking lot lines, and blue to mark your handicap stalls.
2. Water-Based Paint
As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, there has been a movement against oil-based traffic paint. If you live in a state that has banned the use of oil-based products, then you must use water-based paint instead.
It is absolutely crucial to get a good quality product from a reputable company. You need this to be sure your parking lot lines will last as long as possible. Remember: look for the words ‘traffic paint’ on the package. This product is perfect for applying with a roller, or a line striper built for this style of container.
3. Oil-Based Pavement Paint
If you live in an area with no restrictions against the oil-based product, this is an excellent and durable choice. The oil-based paint can be applied by a roller or a line striper built for this type of packaging. The same rules apply as with other types of paint: look for a reputable company, and make absolutely certain that it is labelled as traffic paint.
How to choose the best parking lot paint
Tips For Long-Lasting Parking Lot Lines:
Preparation is always your key to success. For the most durable and professional results make sure to:
- Clean the surface – especially when repainting existing lines; use a power broom or power wash first to remove any loose pavement paint
- Make sure the surface is dry as well as clean – check the weather forecast to plan for 24-hours free of rain
- Confirm that the temperature is warm enough – i.e. our oil-based needs 50°F and our water-based requires 60°F, always check the product label for details
- Allow the paint to dry – all that hard work will be for nothing if someone or something drives over the wet markings
- Add glass beads for visibility (optional) – these must be applied while the traffic paint is still wet; plan ahead
In summary
When you’re marking parking lot lines, quality matters. Look for a reputable company selling a product specifically labeled ‘traffic paint’ for a durable and long-lasting result. Decide whether to use canisters or if you want to use pails of water-based or oil-based. Follow the tips for long-lasting results, and you’ll be the pro at using pavement paint in no time at all.
Use Our Handy Paint Calculator To Know How Much Paint You’ll Need.
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