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Three Line-Marking Paints for Your Commercial Road Surfaces

by Martin Williamson

Proper surface markings are essential for order and organisation, particularly in large commercial properties. In simple terms, the lines will provide information on the right flow of traffic, appropriate parking spaces and even pedestrian crossing. If you are thinking about upgrading the line markings in your property, it is important to select the right paint materials for application. This will determine the longevity of the markings and the cost of your project. Here is a brief outline of the most ideal line-marking paint options to consider for your project.

Regular Paint

Regular paint is a great solution for your line marking project because it is inexpensive. In simple terms, the actual paint is cheap to purchase, and the application process is relatively easy, so the cost of labour is minimal. There are different types of paint materials in the market that you can choose, depending on your preference and budget. However, all the pertinent products can be categorised as either solvent- or water-based paints.

Solvent-based paint is ideal because it is highly durable and can withstand extreme temperatures. On the other hand, water-based paint is extremely low cost because you will not require solvents for dilution. Moreover, this option does not release toxic fumes during application. Regardless of your choice, ensure that your final product is product has additives such UV stabilisers and reflective beads for better performance

Thermoplastic Paint

The popularity of thermoplastic paint can be attributed to durability, particularly in comparison with the regular paint. As implied, this type of marking material is made using plastic. Often, the product will be a dry mixture with the plastic, binder resin, colour pigments and even glass beads. Thermoplastic paint can only be applied using a specialty road surface marking machine.

Basically, this equipment heats the dry mixture and melts the plastic. The fluid is then released through the application component and laid on the roadway. Often, a layer of glass beads is applied on the plastic lines before they harden. This material combined with the beads incorporated into the original mixture will prolong the reflectivity of the markings.

Preformed Tape

Preformed tape is not per se paint, but this material type functions in the same way. There are two primary types of this tape: thermoplastic and polymer. Thermoplastic is a plastic tape which is applied to the road surface by applying heat using a propane torch. Polymer tape is installed by using cement as the binder. It can also be applied on fresh asphalt before the surface hardens.

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