What Type Of Paint Should You Use When Striping Your Parking Lot?

What Type Of Paint Should You Use When Striping Your Parking Lot?

When striping your parking lot, there are many decisions to make. However, beyond particulars about your layout, one of the most critical choices is the type of parking lot striping paint contractors use. The best parking lot striping is vibrant, long-lasting, and durable. So, which kind of paint meets the mark? Read on to learn more.

What Types of Paints Are Available for Striping Your Parking Lot?

Paint for parking lot surfaces is available in many different formulations. While they all look the same once cured, these formulas differ greatly in durability, cost, and curing time. Here are the most commonly used options for Vegas parking lot striping projects.

•Water-Based Formulas: Water-based paints are, by far, the most popular. These formulas are affordable, easy to apply, and produce a smooth finish that looks beautiful against well-maintained asphalt.
•Solvent-Based Paint for Parking Lots: Solvent-based paints can contain acetone or oil. Either way, they offer slightly greater durability, producing long-lasting parking lot lines, especially in high-traffic areas.
•Thermoplastic Paint: Many consider thermoplastic products as the top choice for creating the best parking lot striping finish. Thermoplastic paints begin as a dry powder. Once heated to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, the powder becomes a molten, plastic-based liquid that contractors can apply to the pavement. After it cools, thermoplastic paint creates impressively durable Vegas parking lot striping.
•MMA Formulas: Methyl methacrylate (MMA) paint is a two-part formula. Before applying the paint, striping companies in Vegas combine the two components. This process triggers a chemical reaction that hardens the paint for incredible resilience.

Why Don’t Striping Companies in Vegas Just Use Consumer-Grade Aerosols?

Take a stroll through any big-box store, and you’ll find many aerosol paint products available. Some manufacturers even market these products as paint for parking lot surfaces. However, you’ll never find reputable striping companies in Vegas using them outside small-scale, temporary projects.

All the formulas mentioned above are purpose-made for parking lot striping. They contain different ingredients that facilitate strong adherence to your pavement and more resilience against exposure. They can also withstand the weight and stress of traffic. No consumer-grade spray paint can do that. Attempting to use those products for parking lot striping will only lead to low-quality results that don’t last.

What Options Can Produce Long-Lasting Parking Lot Lines?

Many property owners and managers investing in Vegas parking lot striping want as much longevity as possible. Each of the formulas discussed will last for well over a year. However, some can outlast the others many times over.

Water-based parking lot paint has the shortest lifespan, 18 to 24 months, depending on factors such as exposure, traffic volume, and weather conditions. Solvent-based paints can hold up slightly longer, with some striping remaining vibrant for around three years.

Thermoplastic paint bonds as it cools. That unique curing process translates to up to seven years of durability. Meanwhile, MMA is best for long-lasting parking lot lines. It can remain vibrant for years, with some striping holding up for up to a decade.

What Should You Consider Before Striping Your Parking Lot?

When choosing paint for the best parking lot striping in Vegas, consult your contractor about the options available to you. Not all striping companies in Vegas will offer every option we covered. Some formulas require special equipment and more experience to apply. See what’s available to you.

Then, consider your needs. Are you willing to pay more for premium paints? Thermoplastic and MMA paint costs more upfront, but you can often save over the long term with fewer reapplications. You should also consider the amount of traffic your parking lot receives, the amount of exposure to the elements it receives, and more.

Work with your striping contractor to determine what’s best for your needs. In some cases, striping companies in Vegas can use multiple paint formulas to maximize your budget.

Affordable Striping & Sealing is ready to develop solutions that work for you and your property. We’ve been in this business for over 20 years. In that time, we’ve proven our expertise while continuing to learn. Our goal is to produce quality results every time. In addition to striping, we offer asphalt repairs, sealcoating, parking lot layout design, ongoing maintenance, and more.

Give Affordable Striping & Sealing a call today at (702) 222-9009 to discuss your needs and receive a complimentary quote. You can also email us at vegas@affordablestriping.com or use our online form to reach a member of our team.