A bland, difficult-to-navigate parking lot is a recipe for disaster. Haphazardly parked cars, missing lines, and faded paint are all problems you can avoid with quality line striping. However, even the best line stripers make mistakes from time to time.
It may not be obvious, but these mistakes can cost you time and money. This blog post will show you four common line striping mistakes and how to avoid them.
The pavement type, traffic volume, and weather conditions are essential factors to consider when choosing paint for your parking lot. If you choose the wrong kind of paint, it will chip and fade quickly.
When you apply oil-based paint over a freshly laid parking lot, the paint will discolor as the solvents combine with the tar on the surface of the new pavement. In addition, water-based paint will not adhere to the new surface for long. So, what should you do in this situation?
Applying a second coat of paint can help seal in color and make it last longer.
You have no idea the headache you can cause by not checking with your state’s line-striping regulations. Some states have particular requirements, from the width of the lines to the type of paint you can use.
If you miss essential regulations like ADA compliance, you may have to remove freshly painted lines and start from scratch to avoid getting fined. It is a total waste of time and money.
You may want to use black-out paint to hide the existing lines, water blast the area, and then start from scratch. But it’s not going to be easy.
You also need to select the correct line striper for the job. If you try to cut corners and use a lower-quality machine, you will have poor results.
The machine must be able to lay down a consistent line of paint that dries quickly and doesn’t bleed under the hot sun. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a fuzzy, blurry line that must be redone sooner rather than later.
There are various options in line stripers, ranging from simple machines that carry inverted cans of painting aerosol to sophisticated equipment with trailer seats and dual guns.
Another common mistake is not preparing the surface before painting. It includes ensuring the surface is clean and dry and masked off to avoid overspray.
You should also consider any cracks or depressions in the asphalt that might affect how your lines turn out. These imperfections can cause paint to pool and result in an uneven or sloppy line.
To prepare the surface, you should first sweep it clean of any dirt, dust, or debris. You can then use a power washer to remove any stubborn grime. Once the surface is dry, you can apply painter’s tape to any areas you want to protect from paint.
You may be tempted to try and save money by doing the job yourself. But, unless you have experience line-striping, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Not only will they do a better job, but they’ll also have the right equipment and safety gear.
If you’re looking for a professional line-striping company in Fitchburg, WI, get in touch with Doctor Asphalt.