Why Surface Prep Is Key in Parking Lot Striping

If you are responsible for a commercial parking lot, its appearance may not always top your list of concerns. However, your parking lot can speak volumes about your business, your attention to detail, and your concern for your customers and employees. Clearly defined parking stalls reduce the possibility of door dents and enhance your property’s curb appeal. Even one missing pavement marking can increase confusion or pose a safety hazard. If you are considering new striping and markings for your parking lot, you may be wondering what the contractor will need to do to prepare the surface as well as why he will place so much emphasis on proper surface preparation.

Why Surface Prep Is Key in Parking Lot Striping

Why Does an Asphalt Contractor Emphasize Surface Preparation When Striping a Parking Lot?

If you owned a table that had an existing high-gloss varnish and wanted to paint it, you would need to prepare the surface. Otherwise, the paint would not adhere and would soon crack or peel. If you wanted to apply tape to mask your windows when painting the exterior of your home, you would need to remove any dirt or other debris. Otherwise, the tape would not adhere. Asphalt striping paint also needs to adhere to the surface, so like any other task that requires a bond to form between two planes, the pavement must be properly prepared.

What Is the Proper Surface Preparation for Striping Asphalt Pavement?

The contractor you hire to perform your parking lot maintenance will start by inspecting your pavement. He will need to identify any damages, determine the porosity of the pavement, and make sure that your current design complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Once he completes his evaluation, he can begin the preparations. Although not every step listed below is necessary for every parking lot, here are the common preparations.

1. Remove all debris, including piles of leaves, packed dirt and trash.
2. Repair potholes, cracks or other breaks in the pavement. If you have ever tried to paint over a nail hole, you know that paint will simply drip into openings instead of remaining on the surface.
3. Remove existing pavement markings and stripes. Depending on the type of paint previously applied and the condition of the pavement, this can be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, the asphalt contractor may use a solvent, a power sprayer or a machine called a scarifier.
4. Treat any stains left by oil or other petrochemicals. Grease, gas, oil and similar chemicals will prevent the paint from adhering properly.
5. If necessary, he will perform surface smoothing to help eliminate flaws in older pavements. New pavements may need to have the areas to be painted roughened a bit to improve porosity.
6. Clean the surface to remove any traces of dust or paint chips left by the previous processes.
7. If it is part of the job scope, he will apply sealcoating. Sealants are a great way to protect asphalt pavement, but they will also provide a visually pleasing background for your new markings.
8. The parking stall stripes and pavement markings are then applied.

All Pro Asphalt specializes in parking lot maintenance for customers in the greater Kansas City area. We offer asphalt crack repair, infrared asphalt repairs, asphalt patching, sealcoating, parking lot striping and parking lot markings. We also offer concrete work and asphalt paving. We are a respected company with a reputation for delivering exceptional workmanship at reasonable rates. For a free quote, call 816-249-6800 or fill out the online request form.

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