Discover expert parking lot striping services that improve safety and visibility. Our team delivers high-quality, long-lasting results for all your parking needs. A well-marked parking lot is essential for safety concerns, traffic management, and the general outlook of the parking lot. Nevertheless, the lines that indicate the parking lots may lose their color with time, the design may become uninteresting or even may change its location based on the recent layout changes. A parking lot’s appearance can be made professional looking all the time through the efficient removal of the striping. In this article, different approaches to the removal of parking lot striping are discussed alongside the best practices and the most suitable tools.
1. Understanding the Importance of Parking Lot Striping Removal
Stripping parking lot strips is not just a cosmetic issue; it has to do with safety and legal requirements. Consider a situation where the lines are faded or even missing; this may cause a lot of confusion and increased rates of accidents and would also make it almost impossible for people with disabilities to access areas that they are supposed to. In every striping project, refurbishment or replacement of the layout, or when the lines are worn out, it is essential to demark old striping.
2. Traditional Methods of Parking Lot Striping Removal
The following several traditional methods are commonly used for parking lot striping removal, each with its advantages and drawbacks:
• Wire Brushing: This method entails scraping the surface from the paint by use of a wire brush and in some cases use of a wash. What is more, it is pretty suitable for painting small areas or for making a small number of touches to the surface; however, it proves to be highly time-consuming and requires a lot of work if used for big projects. Also, it may not wash off the paint to the required level of bare metal, hence leaving behind some films that can hinder the application of new lines of striping.
• Scarification: Scarification utilizes a machine with rotary blades that scrapes off the surface of the asphalt, which contains paint, as well as the outer layer of the material. Although useful for this purpose, the technique is destructive to the asphalt and leaves surfaces that appear rough and require subsequent planning. It also produces a lot of dust, and hence, it poses an environmental and health hazard.
• Frontline Striping: This approach uses chemical paint strippers that are suitable for use on asphalt surfaces only. The chemicals are spread on the painted lines and allowed to penetrate the surface, then washed off. Despite being very useful, chemical stripping involves the use of chemicals that visibly pollute the environment, besides putting the people who conduct the stripping at risk of getting exposed to dangerous chemicals. It could also stain the asphalt at the base, which is not good, and so my idea is to find a way of adequately addressing this matter.
You May Also Read: What Is Parking Lot Striping
3. Why Dustless Blasting is the Best Method for Parking Lot Striping Removal
If you would like easy and clean parking lot striping removal then you should consider Dustless Blasting as being your best option. Unlike the traditional sandblasting technique that involves utilizing sand at high pressure to remove paint, this technique uses water, abrasive material, and pressure to remove paint without emitting dusty clouds, which are harmful to health. Here’s why Dustless Blasting is the preferred method:
Here’s why Dustless Blasting is the preferred method:
• Dust-Free Operation: Contrary to conventional blasting, Dustless Blasting does not produce much dust in the surrounding area, making it safer for the people working on the blasting and the surrounding air. This is especially necessary in areas where there is always a lot of movement by people and equipment, hence the need for proper air circulation.
• Surface Preservation: DCP Dustless Blasting technology non-aggressively strips paint from the surface without harming the base material of the parking lot’s blacktop or cement. It also reduces the chances that the structure will need to be repaired or resurfaced once again after the painting is done.
• Versatility: Dustless Blasting can work with different coatings and surfaces, so it is suitable for different applications, especially when it comes to parking lot striping, graffiti, rust, and other surface pollutants.
• Efficiency: This procedure takes far less time than standard removal procedures, which saves time during downtime and allows for fast re-striping and lot utilization.
4. Steps to Remove Parking Lot Striping Using Dustless Blasting
If you’re considering Dustless Blasting for your parking lot striping removal, follow these steps to ensure a smooth process:
1. Assess the Area: This involves inspecting the overall status of the parking lot and outlining which parts will need stripping. Make a point of noting any defects on the surface, such as cracks, potholes, or any other issues that may require repair as a precursor or after the blasting exercise.
2. Prepare the Equipment: Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines while positioning the Dustless Blasting equipment. Make sure you have the right abrasive and that all protective measures, such as wearing gloves, are taken correctly.
3. Begin Blasting: Begin the blasting process sequentially, beginning with the old striping. Paint these strips uniformly and smoothly so that a clean cut through the paint will not damage the asphalt.
4. Clean Up: After blasting, it is recommended that any material or slurry that could have been left behind be removed. Check around to ensure that all the previous striping has been removed and that the surface is clear for further painting.