What are the benefits of using specialist industrial coatings for linemarking?
Linemarking has an important role to play in industrial, commercial and public environments. From defining pedestrian walkways and vehicle routes to marking parking bays, loading areas and storage zones, clear and durable markings help organisations make better use of their available space.
However, linemarking is often exposed to considerable wear and tear. Specialist industrial coatings can provide the durability, visibility and application characteristics needed to keep markings performing for longer.
What are the benefits of using specialist industrial coatings for linemarking?
- Improved durability
One of the biggest benefits of using a specialist linemarking coating is its ability to withstand the conditions it will be exposed to.
Internal warehouse and factory markings can experience constant foot traffic, forklift trucks, pallet trucks and other mobile equipment. External markings can be exposed to cars, HGVs, weather and temperature changes.
Specialist coatings can be formulated to cope with these demands, helping markings resist abrasion, wear and general deterioration.
- Maintaining visibility for longer
Specialist coatings can provide good colour retention and resistance to the wear that can cause markings to become faded or indistinct.
A durable coating helps reduce the frequency with which markings need to be renewed in high traffic zones such as loading zones, warehouses and parking areas, while maintaining the appearance and functionality of the site.
- Coatings designed for the application
Not all linemarking applications have the same requirements.
Depending on the application, this might mean selecting a coating for:
- Heavy vehicle or pedestrian traffic
- Internal or external use
- Concrete or tarmac substrates
- Exposure to oils, fuels or chemicals
- Wet or contaminated environments
- Rapid return to service
- Long maintenance intervals
- High visibility requirements.
This ability to match the coating to the application is one of the key advantages of using a specialist industrial product.
- Easier and more efficient application
Linemarking is often undertaken in environments where disruption needs to be kept to a minimum.
Specialist linemarking coatings can be formulated with application characteristics that make it easier to achieve consistent, professional results. Depending on the product, coatings can be applied using linemarking machines, spray equipment, rollers or brushes.
For larger areas, mechanical or spray application can also help achieve clean, uniform lines more efficiently than manual application.
- Faster return to service
The drying characteristics of a coating can have a significant impact on the practical cost of a linemarking project.
Fast-drying specialist coatings can help reduce downtime and return areas to use. this period. Where the coating allows an area to be returned to service quickly, it can be particularly useful for maintenance work that needs to be completed during short shutdowns or outside normal operating hours.
The important consideration is not simply how quickly a coating becomes touch dry, but when it has achieved the required level of cure for the intended traffic or use.
- Better suited to demanding environments
Specialist coatings can also provide performance characteristics that are difficult to achieve with more general-purpose paints.
For example, particular linemarking applications may require resistance to:
- Abrasion
- Vehicle traffic
- Oils and fuels
- Cleaning chemicals
- Moisture
- Weathering and UV exposure
- Repeated cleaning
- Mechanical impact.
Selecting a coating with the appropriate resistance helps ensure that the linemarking is suited to the environment rather than becoming the weak point in an otherwise well-maintained facility.
- Potentially lower maintenance costs
The initial cost of a linemarking coating is only one part of the overall cost.
If markings wear quickly, they need to be prepared and reapplied more frequently. That means additional paint, labour and potentially more periods where areas need to be closed or restricted.
A more durable specialist coating can help extend maintenance intervals, reducing the frequency of repainting required.
Getting more from your linemarking
Specialist industrial coatings can provide significant benefits for linemarking, from improved durability and visibility to easier application and reduced disruption.
The key is to consider the complete application rather than the paint in isolation.
The surface, traffic, environment, required lifespan, application method and available maintenance window should all influence the coating selected.
Check out the linemarking range here.
Where next?
Read the following articles in our linemarking series: