Re-painting Your Commerical Parking Lot: 3 Types of Paint Compared

Due to fading or due to construction or repair work which has been carried out on the road surface, you may be planning to re-stencil the line markings in the parking lot of your commercial premises. However, it is important to be aware of the different types of road marking paint which are available. Below is a guide to the three most common types of road marking paint.

Water-based road marking paint

Because they are solvent-free, water-based paints are the most environmentally friendly option for marking roads and parking lots. As the paint wears away and enters the surrounding soil and water, it will release far fewer toxins into the natural environment. 

Water based road marking paint is typically very fast drying when compared to solvent paints and hybrid paints. This quick drying action means you will have to consider how you apply the paint to the stencil carefully. A high-pressure sprayer is the best option, as a roller or paint gun can quickly become clogged if the paint dries before it has been applied to the road surface. The drawback of using a water-based paint to mark your parking lot is that it easily lifted from the road surface by the traffic and adverse weather conditions, meaning you will need reapplying more often than solvent-based road marking paint.

Solvent-based road marking paint

Solvent-based paints are made using oils. The benefit of oil based paints is that it naturally repels rain water. If you live in a location which receives high rainfall, a solvent-based paint is the best choice for line marking. If you reside in an area in which the temperature falls below freezing during the cold winter nights, you should use solvent paint, as it will not become brittle and chip away during cold snaps.

Hybrid road marking paint

Hybrid paint is at the cutting edge of road marking paint technology. It features a mixture of acrylic paint and epoxy resin, which makes it very hard wearing. Hybrid road paint will often have glass beads mixed into it, making it highly reflective at night so drivers can easily see any road markings. However, hybrid road paint has a slow drying time and can be damaged by snow clearing machines.

If you would like further help and advice about the best type of road marking paint for your business, contact a professional road marking supply and support company. They will be happy to discuss your needs before making a recommendation. You can also click here for info on this topic.