A parking lot or road without clear traffic lines and symbols where necessary can look incomplete or tired, but finding paint to apply those important features requires more than grabbing just any can from your local hardware store. When choosing paint for your asphalt surface, it's important to know which kinds are best for your purposes.
Regular paint simply won't do the trick, with most unable to adhere to the asphalt, resulting in bubbles or a layer that can easily peel or wash away. That's why blacktop experts developed paint specifically made for asphalt. Not all asphalt paint is the same, however.
OIL-BASED PAINT
Oil-based paint is a common favorite among asphalt contractors and property managers alike. It's durable, can be applied along with reflective glass beads, and dries reasonably quickly. It's also popular in colder regions for its resistance to freezing.
One significant drawback to oil-based asphalt paint, though, is its prohibition in many parts of the United States. For this reason, Asphalt Kingdom is unable to ship this variety of paint to the following areas:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia (Northern Region)
- Illinois
- Ohio
- California
WATER-BASED PAINT
The other common choice in asphalt paint is the water-based variety. It's more environmentally friendly, can dry in just a few minutes, and is inexpensive. And despite being water-based, this paint is fairly durable, even in wetter conditions. The only major disadvantage to be aware of is its vulnerability to freezing in colder temperatures, which can cause cracking and chipping.
Not sure how much you'll need for your project? Our Asphalt Paint Calculator will help you figure it out.
COLORS MATTER
Once you've decided which paint variety you'd like to use and how much you'll need, make sure you're getting the necessary colors.
Stocking up on white and yellow paint goes without saying, being that they're the near-universal standards for traffic lines and symbols, but don't forget to confirm you have paint for any handicap symbols you'll be painting. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations dictate that handicap parking spaces must be marked with the international symbol for accessibility, which features a prominent blue background.
Now that you know how to find the paint you'll use to maintain your blacktop's lines, you're ready to take the next step and select your line striping machine.
