Access Linemarking Equipment supplies line marking machines, line removers and accessories to the Australian road and line marking industry. We are authorised Graco and Wagner distributors. Our business success is based on our industry knowledge and hands on experience in the line marking industry. Below are the most commonly used line marking materials (including line marking paint, thermoplastic and cold applied plastics) and their most common uses.
ROAD LINE MARKING PAINT
WATER BASED
Water based road line marking paint is the most commonly used road marking paint. While not as durable as cold applied plastics or thermoplastic, line marking paint is far cheaper and easier to apply. The most common types of equipment for water based paints use high pressure piston pumps.
Water based line marking paint is much more environmentally friendly than other forms of line marking products. Other advantages of water based paints is that it can be painted over all other forms of line marking, is far less toxic, dries quickly and the line marking equipment used to apply it is a lot less expensive than for the application of other forms of paint.
Water based line marking paint is used in every area of linemarking such as carpark marking, factory delineation areas, local streets, regional roads and on highways. It can be used on most surfaces such as concrete, bitumen, asphalt and has good reflective bead retention (usually required on road surfaces).
Water based paints should last at least twelve months and be recoated at least every two years.
SOLVENT BASED
Solvent based line marking paint is used much less frequently than water based. It is less environmentally friendly than water based paint and is only used in specific circumstances which require longer durability or where the customer has requested the use of solvent based paint. Some are no longer in used due to environmental concerns. The most common types of equipment used for solvent based paints have high pressure diaphragm pumps attached.
Solvent based paints are not normally used on bitumen or asphalt surfaces as they can break down the surface if not used correctly. It is generally thinner than water based paint and will retain non slip beads if applied to the correct thickness.
Solvent based paints require solvents to clean the equipment which would most often require the use of more PPE (personal protective equipment).
COLD APPLIED PLASTICS
Cold Applied Plastics (CAP) is a multi-component coating used in areas where durability and extra-long life are required. It is quick to apply and quick to cure (thus causing minimal disruptions) and has a lifetime of around five years in high traffic areas.
CAP requires very specialised equipment and should only be applied by qualified and experienced people as once on the ground it is difficult to remove. It is also important to make sure the product is not mixed in the machine as once set it can be difficult if not impossible to remove. We have often seen very expensive pumps rendered unusable when left with mixed product inside.
CAP has good bead retention properties and can be re-coated with water based paint if required.
HOT THERMOPLASTIC
Hot thermoplastic is predominately used in high wear situations, such as “Stop” and “Give Way” bars at intersections. It comes in different forms. The two most common are “screed” (pellets or beads) which are poured into a melting pot and “pre-form” which are symbols and lines laid on the surface and heated to a specific melting point. Pre-form can also be used to make company logos for reserved parking bays giving a very professional finish to business carparks.
Thermoplastic can be applied to create just about any shape, but if using the bulk form it requires specialised equipment. It is much more durable than paint, dries much thicker and has excellent bead retention.
As it is an expensive finished product, thermoplastic is often used on new roadwork to get the longest life out of the original lines.
If you would like more advice regarding line marking paint and materials please contact Access Linemarking Equipment on 07 3206 9883.
