Best Parking Lot and Road Striping Paints
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.
Parking lot striping, also known as traffic marking, provides pictorial and sign instructions for drivers. These striping lines paint easy-to-follow signs, including bright lines for each car parking, entry and exit signals, clear instructions for handicapped parking, and emergency exit areas, if there are any. Proper usage of these signs helps the drivers prevent accidents and injuries in the parking lot.
While there are various paints to achieve different painting results, similarly, for traffic marking, there is also a variety of different kinds of paints to choose from, which differentiate in material reflectance index, texture, and longevity.
One of the many services offered at The Pavement Group is line striping service in West Palm Beach, FL. We apply professional techniques and use high-tech tools and machinery to enhance you parking lots lines. Click here to get an estimate for free!
In today’s blog, we will share all the information regarding the different kinds of paints used for traffic marking to help you make the best choice for your needs.
1. Reflective Paint
As the name suggests, this kind of paint has material like glass chards added to it, making it shine at night. Reflective paint is a good option for parking lot striping to prevent accidents while parking or driving in the parking lot at night.
2. Water-Based Paint
Water-based paints are similar to the paints that parents buy for their children. They are the cheapest option to choose from at any convenience store. Water paints are commonly used due to its quick drying property that allows the traffic to resume right after 10-15 minutes of its application.
However, as easy as that sounds, its main ingredient is water. This means any weather changes such as rain, snow, or ice may wipe it away in time.
3. Oil-Based Paint
As oil is the binding factor in this type of paint, any surface painted with it lasts for a long time. Parking lot striping with oil-based paint is a good option for areas that experience different weather changes as oil paint provides durability and longevity.
Even in freezing temperatures where water paint is most likely to wash off with snow and ice, oil paint can neither be washed off nor frozen. Furthermore, high-quality oil paint will require less maintenance and will not have to be re-applied frequently. While it is the most durable option, many people avoid it because of the damage it causes to the environment.
4. Thermal Plastic Paint
Thermal plastic paint is one of the most expensive options for parking lot striping paint. While it is not an ordinary striping paint, it contains plastic, which has to be heated and melted down before applying to a specific area.
Parking lot striping done with thermal plastic paint is thick and looks enate from the surface level. The main advantage it offers is that it is incredibly durable and can bear harsh and worse conditions than standard striping paint. However, this option is more expensive than others.
If you still have any queries about what type of paint would be best for your parking lot, reach out to us at The Pavement Group in West Palm Beach, FL, for expert advice. Click here to connect with us today.