A pristine parking lot makes life easier for everyone who visits your establishment, whether you have a cozy café or are the principal of a school. It’s no secret that winter weather wreaks havoc on the pavement. Once the snow melts, we often find roads riddled with potholes and faded street lines.
Incidentally, the same happens to lines that divide our cars. This fact may make you wonder if you can stripe parking lots in the winter. Read on to discover the answer and learn the best practices to follow when it’s cold outside.
Winter Paint Striping
So can you stripe parking lots in the winter? It’s more complex than a yes or no question, as certain conditions dictate whether you can accomplish the job. Painting is possible on days when the temperature doesn’t dip into the below-freezing range. Your best chance is when it’s above freezing since the sun provides adequate warmth, which helps heat the parking lot’s pavement.
Cold Weather Hurdles
The cold weather presents plenty of challenges when it comes to painting. The snow makes it impossible to accomplish the job, so rule out those days. This winter weather hurdle makes the ground wet, and the pavement of a parking lot must be dry for the paint to successfully adhere to its surface. Attempting to stripe in cold and wet conditions results in a lackluster outcome, as the paint will fade quickly, meaning you’ll have to repeat the process.
Quality Equipment
You want to ensure you have quality equipment when you decide to re-stripe in the wintertime, whether you do the task or hire outside help. Paint striping machines should create lines in a precise manner and be user-friendly. One advantage to doing the job yourself is that you have more opportunities to accomplish it during the winter. This is because the weather can change unexpectedly, which makes scheduling an appointment with a contractor difficult.
Consider using Trusco Manufacturing for all your paint striping needs. We make it simple to re-stripe your parking lot with our professional equipment that we build to last. We’ve also been in business for over 55 years. Contact us by phone or email today.