Features and types of road marking paints, brand valuation and application
Correct road markings help increase traffic capacity and minimize accidents. In this case, the intensity of the movement affects the state of the paint applied to the coating. To keep the lines on the road for as long as possible, it is important to choose the right paint for your road marking. They must comply with GOST. As a result, it is possible to increase the service life of symbols and minimize the cost of purchasing materials.
Road paint: composition and characteristics of the material
The marking paint contains special pigments and fillers which are diluted with an acrylic copolymer. In addition, modifying components are introduced into the composition.
Quality road materials not only reflect light, but also meet a range of technical specifications. These include in particular the following:
- Fast drying. At a temperature of +20 degrees, high-quality materials dry in 5 minutes.
- Economic consumption of substances.
- Moisture resistant.
- Resistant to temperature fluctuations.
- Wear resistant.
- Ease of application. Most often, a spray gun and special stencils are used for this. Thanks to the use of this technology, the material can be applied quite quickly. In addition, it allows you to minimize the cost of dyeing.
When choosing a paint, it is important to take into account that the substance should not cause disturbances in the adhesion of car tires and the road surface.
Varieties
Today, there are quite a few dyes that are used for marking. They differ in shades and technical parameters.
By color
The key parameter when choosing a marking shade is its contrast with the road surface. In this case, shades of white and yellow are usually used. It is these colors that are considered to be the most contrasting against the dark coating.
According to the degree of gloss
The lines are often marked with fluorescent and luminous enamels. Reflective paints are special suspensions that contain phosphorus type pigments, functional components, acrylic resin solutions, fillers. Such materials are used for marking roads, airfields and other coatings based on cement and asphalt-bitumen compositions.
By properties
The material used for the application on the road must reflect the headlights well. In this case, the dyes are divided into several categories:
- Frequently used specialty paints. They are characterized by a high degree of durability. Most often, paints and thermoplastics are used to indicate road marking lines.
- Paints that are used in specific situations. This group includes metal buttons, ceramic or clinker cobblestones, porcelain chips, concrete.
The quality of the symbols is also influenced by the technology of using the dye. Lines are applied cold or hot. Individual substances can only be used in a specific method.
The cold method ensures the durability of the coating up to 2 years.
What are the requirements for paint materials for roads
It is allowed to apply marking paints by a manual or automated method - by brush, roller, air gun or air. Routes may be marked in hot weather. In this case, the temperature regime should be + 5-35 degrees.
It is important that the substance used has the following characteristics:
- short drying period - no more than 15-30 minutes;
- economical consumption;
- high hiding power;
- resistance to humidity, snow, low temperatures, acids, alkalis and other chemicals;
- high degree of wear resistance.
Recommendations for choosing a dye
The dyes used for line marking differ in their chemical formulas and technical parameters. It is important to choose materials according to the temperature of the city. To achieve a high-quality result, when purchasing a substance, the following should be considered:
- weather conditions;
- the degree of traffic intensity;
- physical and chemical characteristics of the road;
- the need for color marks - black, red, yellow, orange.
Road markings are applied with one-component or two-component mixtures.
Acrylic or alkyd dyes are also often used. All substances have a complex composition. These include pigments, film-forming agents and other substances.In most cases, these glazes are produced in a standard white shade. However, there are also other colors.
Acrylic
Substances based on polyacrylates are produced in the form of a suspension concentrate. Before use, they must be mixed with water or special solvents must be used.
There are also materials that are sold in spray cans. They can be used without too much preparation. These substances are distinguished by ease of application and economical consumption.
Acrylic paints can be used on concrete and asphalt. They can also be used for petroleum bitumen coatings. In this case, it is permissible to work only in dry weather, since fresh marks can be washed off.
Based on alkyd resins
Alkyd enamels include rubber-rubber components. They provide a high degree of adhesion of road markings to various types of surfaces and are characterized by excellent wear resistance. Dyes in this category are well suited for signaling on highways with heavy traffic.
It is important to keep in mind that alkyd resins should not be sprayed on. This creates certain difficulties with heavy traffic.
Bi-component
This type of paints is characterized by a high degree of adhesion, excellent wear resistance, economy and durability. Two-component substances can be applied to different types of coatings and structures. In this case, it is permissible to use manual or automated methods.
After drying, the material forms a strong film, which is resistant to the movement of dump trucks, snow removal equipment, tractors.If it is necessary to provide the markings with reflective properties, it is permissible to introduce quartz sand into two-component compositions. Glass beads are also used for this purpose.
Rating of popular brands
The most common substances that are often used to indicate road markings are:
- TechnoNIKOL AK. This product is a single component product which must be applied cold. It is based on quality pigments and fillers. The dye does not require the use of solvents - it is ready to use. The composition is suitable for drawing horizontal lines on the road. It is allowed to be used for asphalt or concrete pavement.
- Indecoat-511. This material is used quite often. Basically it is a combination of pigments, additives and fillers. The composition can be used in a wide temperature range, from -40 to +60 degrees. The material is characterized by high wear resistance and whiteness. It is allowed to be applied on concrete and cement coatings.
- Enamel AS-5307 "Line". This dye is often used to apply safety lines. It is allowed to be used for concrete and asphalt pavements. The composition contains reflective balls. With their help, it is possible to achieve the glow of the marking. Brightness settings reach 80%.
Features of the use of a specific paint
Before applying special paint, preliminary marking is necessary. It is allowed to apply it manually or to use the devices present in the marking machines. The work area must be fenced off from vehicles.
Next, you need to determine the key points, which will become the basis of the layout. For this, it is recommended to use a curvimeter. You can draw dots with chalk.Then it is worth applying a preliminary marking on them.
The next step is to prepare the road surface. To do this, it must be cleaned of dust and dirt. Usually they use a watering and washing machine. A machine equipped with brushes and blowers will also work. After cleaning, the road must dry completely.
If you have old markup, you need to remove it first. This can be done mechanically or hydraulically. It is also allowed to paint the lines in the color of the road surface. However, this method is only used when removing markings for a short time.
To properly apply the paint, it is recommended to use equipment suitable for the material used. The markings must be applied pneumatically or hydraulically. This means that air can be used for the procedure. To carry out the work, it is recommended to proceed as follows:
- prepare the material;
- check equipment;
- fence off the site for the work;
- apply markings;
- protect the road surface until the material is completely dry;
- remove barriers.
Preparation of materials consists of mixing paints when using multi-component formulations and mixing until homogeneous when using single-ingredient colorants.
After pouring the substance into the tank of the car, it should be placed on the part of the road that should be tested for paint. If the test is successful, the car should move in the direction of traffic and perform the coloring procedures. Through the use of the on-board computer, the stroke length can be adjusted.
In most cases, a special technique is used to apply road markings. However, sometimes it is acceptable to also use hand tools. They are most often used to paint small or difficult areas.
For this purpose, brushes, rollers and stencils are used. Sometimes spray guns are needed. They are, in most cases, present in sets of marking machines.
The main tool for manual marking is the template. It allows you to control the size of the lines. In most cases, aluminum or steel sheets are used as a template, the thickness of which is 1.5 millimeters.
Precautions
When using dyes, it is important to observe the following precautions:
- Do not open or apply dye near sources of fire or flammable liquids.
- All work must be carried out using protective equipment.For this you need to wear a special suit, glasses, gloves and a respirator.
- If paint gets on your skin, wash it off immediately with water.
- Do not use water, kerosene or gasoline to thin paints or rinse tools.
What to replace asphalt paint with
Instead of special paints for road marking, it is allowed to use polymer tapes. They are sold in rolls of different widths. These materials are distinguished by a high degree of resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage.
The use of special paints for road marking achieves good results. Strictly observing the rules for applying such coatings, it is possible to achieve wear-resistant and clear designations.