Preparation

How We Can Work Together

The key to a successful line marking job is preparation. There are several key areas that need to be ready in advance of our arrival to allow us to work as efficiently as possible and ensure the greatest probability of success.

Concrete

  • Excessive dirt - If there is excess dirt, dust or mud across the surface, it will need to be cleaned before our arrival.
  • Surface cleaning - Please do not clean concrete surfaces by hosing down prior to our arrival. In ideal conditions, concrete should be dry for a few days prior to painting, otherwise as moisture evaporates from the concrete, the paint can lift.
  • New concrete - Newly laid concrete will leach chemicals that will cause the paint to lift, and as such it is advisable to wait up to 6 weeks after new concrete is laid before marking.
  • Coatings and Sealants - There are a variety of concrete curing agents and sealants on the market, each of which can have a different effect on line marking paint. It is your responsibility to inform us of any chemicals that have been applied. If you are unsure we can organise a small test area to be marked in advance to ascertain it's potential effects on the coating.

Bitumen

  • New bitumen - New bitumen will leach chemicals that effect the paint, changing the colour and lifting it in some cases. Please let us know in advance if bitumen is to be marked shortly after being laid.

General

  • Clear site - Please ensure that all obstacles and hazards that may interfere with works to be carried out are removed. If we can't finish the works and we need to come back, extra call out charges may apply.

Surface preparation services we provide

  • Concrete Sealing – A process that protects fresh from surface damage and discoloration, while also adhering the concrete dust to the ground which can otherwise become a respiratory hazard.
  • Shot blasting - A process whereby small steel balls are fired at the surface, effectively remove the top layer, then recycling the steel balls through the blasting machine.
  • Grinding - A mechanical process that uses rotating abrasive discs. It is usually accompanied with a vacuum to significantly reduce dust produced by the process.
  • Water blasting - Best use for removing surface contaminants such as dust, dirt and flaking paint.
  • Acid - A chemical approach to etching the surface and removing products that may inhibit the paint keying well.