The Best Paints for Parking Lot Line Painting

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.

In this blog post, you’ll discover:

• How to choose the right asphalt paint
• A closer look at each paint option
• Bonus tips for parking lot lines that last

Which Is The Best Paint for Parking Lot Lines?

Carefully reading labels is always the best way to find the right parking lot line painting 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 term is very important, as this type of pavement paint is specifically designed to withstand wear 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.

Not all traffic paint is the same, though. In fact, there are three 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 of your options.

1. Canned Aerosol 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 do their own parking lot line painting, 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 parking lot line painting 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 oil-based paints, this type of 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 it labels its products as traffic paint before using it for parking lot line painting.

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 regarding parking lot line painting, 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 paint 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.

The Final Word About Parking Lot Line Painting

When you’re marking parking lot lines, quality matters. Look for a reputable company selling the best paint for parking lot lines that's specifically labeled as ‘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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