Striping

There are several different kinds of paint that can be used in parking lot striping: 

• Oil/solvent-based paint: As the name suggests, the key ingredient in this type of paint is oil. It’s often used in colder climates because oil-based paint won’t freeze or, unlike water-based paints, break down in freezing temperatures. Oil-based paints are the most widely used for striping because they offer the best durability for the cost. 
• Water-based paint: Made primarily of water, water-based paint is the most inexpensive choice and the least harmful to the environment.  It also has a quick drying time and can be traffic-ready 15 minutes after application. 
• Thermoplastic paint: Thermoplastic paint contains plastic, which makes it more durable than normal paints and an ideal choice for parking lot striping. But that durability is going to cost you. Thermoplastic paint is the most expensive option.

Reflective paint: Thanks to the addition of tiny flecks or beads of glass, reflective paint has a reflective quality when light hits it and bounces off the surface. Reflective paint is used for striping roads and parking lots, as well as for informational road markings.

There are a few ways to do this. You can cover up stripes by applying several coats of paint that has been color-matched to the surrounding asphalt or cement. This is not a permanent solution, though. 

The other option is to chemically dissolve the paint or completely remove the line using a grinder or scarifier. These machines grind the stripe down to the original asphalt or cement.

Very carefully! In all seriousness, though, parking lot striping is harder than it looks. Painting proper lines and requires an extensive knowledge base, precision, and for best results, professional-grade machinery. Do yourself a favor and hire a professional for this one.

Thermoplastic striping is a quick-dry material that forms a uniform reflective and durable pavement marking stripe. The rapid application rate and nearly instant dry time eliminate traffic delays, coning, and the risk of material tracking associated with conventional water-based paints. And its high durability increases the life of pavement markings.

That really depends on the size of the parking lot, the type of paint used (different paints have different drying times), and the weather conditions at time of application. Line striping at night is a great option for businesses who want to minimize the downtime involved.

There are three methods for applying thermoplastic road markings: 

• Extrude: The application equipment is in direct contact with the pavement surface when applying the material. 
• Ribbon: The material is applied with a ribbon gun that is elevated 1-1.5 inches off the ground. The gun is not in direct contact with the pavement surface so the application equipment can move a little faster than when applying an extruded line.

Spray: The material is applied with a spray gun that is elevated about 4 to 5 inches off the surface. This is the fastest application process.

That depends on how the parking lot is used. Parking lots that are exclusively used for buses, trucks, delivery vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, and vehicle impound lots are not required to include handicap-accessible spaces or signage. 

It is important to note, however, the specific regulations and guidelines of ADA signage are subject to local building authority codes and revisions. Check your local laws.