Most of us drive each day. We hop in the car, turn on the ignition, and pull out of the driveway on autopilot because every morning is the same routine. But when you’re running through the motions behind the wheel, you’re missing key signs around you, especially road marking paint on the streets.
If you have noticed the road paint, you likely have questions. What paint is used for road markings? What are the types of road marking paints? What do some of these painting road markings mean to drivers?
We’ve got the info you need to learn about the different types of road marking paint available in 2023 for almost any use case!
Types of Road Marking Paint
First and foremost, it’s important to note the broad variety of road marking paint the industry uses today.
- Water-Based Paints — Your standard water-based road paint is designed for durability and reliability without severely impacting the environment.
- Low VOC Solvent-Based Paints — Uses predominantly acetone solvent in smaller quantities to avoid negatively affecting the road paint quality and durability.
- Two-Component Paints — Many road marking paints utilize two components — polymer and a curing agent — to facilitate drying and reduce the effects of humidity and extreme temperatures.
- Solvent-Based Paints — These solvent-based paints use organic compounds, more so than water-based compounds, to ensure faster drying temperatures and greater durability against weather conditions.
- Biorenewable Paints — Biorenewable road paints utilize state-of-the-art materials to ensure a more eco-friendly, sustainable solution for road paint markings.
To this day, water-based paints remain one of the most obvious choices for road markings of all types and sizes. We’re talking about a cost-effective solution for roads, parking lots, and high-traffic areas big or small in your community.
The key to using any type of road marking paint is to adhere to specific conditions for proper drying and curing. Keep an eye on the weather forecast!
What to Consider When Choosing Road Marking Paint
With so many options available, choosing the right road marking paint proves difficult in some cases. A few considerations include:
- Regulations — With state and national regulations in place, adhering to the rules can affect the types of paint, the VOC content of the paint, and the quantities of road paint in use.
- Location — There are unique guidelines in place depending on the intended location for road markings, such as roadways or parking lot markings, or on airport runways. In high-traffic spaces, paints require high durability and longevity.
- Environment — If an area endures a lot of rain, extreme heat, or snow, choosing a paint appropriate for the environmental conditions makes sense. For example, paints with high-quality pigments prove useful in areas with a lot of sunshine and heat.
Weather Considerations for Road Marking Paint
One of the most popular types of road marking paint, water-based paints, is sensitive to moisture. By applying paint to wet surfaces or when a newly-painted surface becomes wet due to, say, rain, can negatively affect the drying and curing process of the road paint.
As such, weather conditions play a significant role in choosing and applying road marking paint.
- Road marking paint requires a dry surface before application.
- Paint areas must remain dry for, at minimum, one hour.
- Water-based paints require surface and air temperatures of at least 50-degrees Fahrenheit and higher before applying.
United States Road Markings
Here in the United States, we utilize a long list of road markings to alert and inform drivers of all types. From passenger vehicles to construction trucks and more, adhering to road signs and markings requires vigilance and understanding of the signs in play.
A few examples of U.S.-based road markings include yield markings, work zone pavement markings, miscellaneous lane markings, intersection markings, bike-only lane markings, highway-rail grade crossing markings, two-way traffic markings, free entrance and exit markings, and HOV lane markings.
Of course, there are many more.
Learning the various markings, and even the paint used, can provide greater insight into the driving experience and how roadway traffic flows efficiently and safely day-in-and-day-out.
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When it comes down to it, using high-quality road marking paints makes sense. You don’t want to spend time painting crucial signs for drivers, only to find out the rain washed out the signage or the heat lead to fading paint.
With a broad selection of quality road marking paint and supplies, Transline leads the way when it comes to road signage of all kinds. For more information on our products and services, including roadway paints, contact us today!
Pavement paint that doesn't fade or peel is essential to your success.
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 Asphalt Paint?
Carefully reading labels is always your best bet in finding the right product. The key term to look for when shopping online or in-store is ‘traffic paint’. That should be front and center on the packaging. This is very important as this kind of pavement paint is designed to last on hard surfaces.
If you try to use another kind of product for parking lot lines (such as regular interior paint), 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 a Line Striping Machine is hands-down the easiest way to paint parking lot lines.
Anyone can get professional results 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 for 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 road 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 asphalt and concrete paint is an excellent choice. 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 labeled as traffic paint.
How to choose the best parking lot paint
Tips For Long-Lasting Parking Lot Lines:
Preparation is always the key to success. For the most durable and professional results make sure to:
- Clean the surface. When repainting existing lines, especially in high-traffic areas, make sure to clean the surface first. Use a power broom or pressure washer first to remove any loose pavement paint.
- Make sure the surface is dry prior to line striping. Check the weather forecast to plan for 24 hours free of rain.
- Confirm that the temperature is warm enough for painting the parking lot line. Our oil-based paint 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. Place traffic cones and attention ribbon along the perimeter to protect your handiwork.
- Add glass beads for improved visibility (optional). Glass beads must be applied while the traffic paint is still wet.
Conclusion
When you’re marking parking lot lines, quality matters. Look for a reputable company selling products specifically labeled ‘traffic paint’ for long-lasting results. Decide whether to use aerosol canisters or if you want to use pails of water-based or oil-based paint. Follow the tips above for long-lasting results, and you’ll be a 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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