Parking Lot line striping

JBurd

New member
Does anybody paint the stripes on parking lots as an add on? I'm looking for some advice on entry level equipment and any tricks of the trade. I've lost a few bids over the years cause they wanted to go with someone who also does striping, and I have a pm interested in us doing it.
 
sub it out if you dont do it..i try to not turn down anything if im asked..Line up a guy in your area...


Well said. We sub out striping. I can put 20% sometimes on top... I actually no very little about doing it. Just know that I work well with a company out here and we both bring each other work. Matt knows more than me. His family actually runs a striping company in Colorado. I Just can't pass on money when customers ask me... haha
 
You can get started with a used machine or two (from about $4000 to $8000), a used enclosed trailer to hold your stencils, equipment, cones, supplies, etc.... for about $1000, Stencils will be about $400 to $1900 depending if you can find any used, probably have to buy new, the number sets are expensive.

You can get by with one striper but it is better with 2 of them so you can have dedicated color machines as sometimes it takes some flushing to get the color out to change colors.

Solvents will cost you about $40 to $65 for each bucket of solvents used to clean out the machine after each job so you can store the machine, you will use up about a gallon or so each clean up. Depending on the paint used, you will have to use different solvents like mineral spirits, Xylene, lacquer thinner, MEK, etc.. to clean up the machine.

Cones are cheap and barricade tape is not too expensive to block off areas of the shopping center or parking lot.

Tape measures from 30' to 300' will be needed, protractors and other layout tools will be needed for new layout jobs.

Marking chalk will be needed to mark off areas for new layouts or to mark lines that are badly faded.

There is more but should help you get an idea.
 
We use the Graco line lazers and have had very good luck with them. They have a few different models one will run a single gun and the bigger model can spray two guns at a single time. This would be great of you got a Costco. If your looking for some good training classes/ workshops to attend check out www.nationalpavementexpo.com they usually do a show in Vegas and in Tennessee.

If you use waterborne / latex you can use water to clean out the machine spray tips etc. We do a lot of work on new seal coat and if used on oil based paint it turns brown and ugly. We've found if you get good quality paint the waterborne is very durable.

As Chris mentioned its nice to have two machines one for each color it saves paint not having to flush it to change colors and also if you had a yellow lot it would be easier to give them a blue and white handicap.

Usually owner operators make great parking lot striping companies. It's not an easy business to throw under your belt it's not as forgiving as power washing, spilt paint is much more noticeable than an etch mark on concrete. Your lines have to be perfectly straight and your starts and stops must be on target otherwise it will look funky looking down the lanes.


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Our company, Ontario Parking Lot Services paints parking lot lines and markings almost every day in the summer. It is a great add on, however it is a real weather dependent business and a bit of a scheduling issue if your coming directly from commercial power washing.

The equipment is pretty simple and a small enclosed trailer is perfect, Graco 3900 line lazer is what we use, we have a Titan Line Striper as well. Both good.

You need alot of practice to do the job well. That is the important part. We have an amazing guy who looks after all our painting work. He has been painting markings for 30 plus years, has worked at almost every type of facility.

Metal 1/8 aviation cable with 300 ft on a plastic role and a 200 ft metal tape with metric and imperial measurements. Multiple good chalk lines.
An infinite amount of white chalk and some other colours.
Battery powered drill and metal mixer
Stencils,
Sherwin Williams paint, Alkyd and waterborne. Yellow, White,Blue, Black, are needed in stock in your trailer. Lesser used colours are Custom Gray, Red, Green and Pink
Nice Weather!!!!
 
Ditto to what the guys say here. The hardest part is getting in the practice to get your timing down etc. I started with water practice. Not nearly as prescise but did help a lot with the initial getting used to period. I highly recommend a lazy liner pusher if you can afford it. It will save you lots of time and your feet will love you for it. for every line you stripe at aprox 18 ft you walk up the line and back up each time and that gets old especially when it middle of summer and its hot out. Its amazing how fast you can't paint with the pusher. I really enjoy it. Its just the clean up that sucks. Fell free to give me a call with questions. 651-308-0421
 
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I've fresh striped two lots, both were on/for my own account. String, chalk and a stripe machine. It's not hard. Both lots turned out great.

My machine is like this one. It cost about $60-$70.

2x4, Emma Grace standing on it, and me with a 5 gallon bucket, and roller.
 
I worked for a paving company for 10 years before I started pressure washing, and we used Airlessco Sure Stripe machines. I think you can pick up a new one for around $2,000 - $2,500. As long as you take care of it, it will last you a long time.
Don't buy any stencils smaller than 1/16". (60 mil) They're cheap as heck, and you will kick yourself later.
When you get into painting "stop" stencils be prepared to drop some cash. The speed that the cars are traveling up to the stop determines how tall you have to make the letters. It's not uncommon for them to be 6' tall.
Get a Magnum Pro Chalk box - and learn how to use it. The string is thicker so you can just flick your wrist instead of lifting the string to "pop" a line. It's like a drum stroke, or a small whipping motion. Saves time
Read up on your local codes and regulations. Print them out and keep them in the truck for reference.
Keep an extra pair of shoes in your tool box.....Someone always has to step in the paint. Quick change saves them from walking around in wet socks after washing it off.
Blue chalk - I found it to be the most forgiving especially on fresh sealcoat.
I think everyone else has touched on just about everything. Don't forget your "CRAYONS"!!!! haha
 
In Houston there is a place called Texas Pavement Supplies. We rent machines and will even teach you how to stripe. We sell a starter package with all the stencils, tools, and materials needed to start striping. We striped for a long time, and can show you how to start.

www.texaspavementsupplies.com
281.897.8900
 
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