APPLICATION PROCEDURES WATERBORNE PAINTS

The following procedures should be followed for applying SAFETY COATINGS, INC. marking paints in order to achieve maximum durability and visibility.

1. All surfaces to be painted should be completely dry and free of loose dirt, rocks, etc. (Sweeping before application is recommended.
2. All new asphalt surfaces should be properly cured before striping. Most asphalt surfaces require a minimum of 2 weeks curing; however, this may vary on the blend of asphalt to aggregate. Improperly blended or cured asphalt will not withstand the stress exerted by the curing of the paint film and, therefore, the areas striped may pull the asphalt loose. If there is any doubt regarding this, apply a small stripe of paint to an area and allow to cure. Observe the results before striping the entire area.
3. Fresh asphalt surfaces have a tendency to bleed. We recommend a thin first coat (approximately 5 mils) be applied on the surface, allowed to cure about a week, and then a regular coat (15 mils) be applied as a final stripe. Each individual user must decide the type of surface being coated and the method to be used.
4. New concrete surfaces are VERY DIFFICULT to adhere to due to their curing compounds. Most curing compounds take 8 to 12 weeks to dissipate. Therefore, painting a concrete surface less than 3 months old is NOT RECOMMENDED. If painting must be done sooner, please contact SAFETY COATINGS, INC. for our recommended paint and application procedures.
5. All paint should be stirred thoroughly before use. Thinning is not recommended; however, if necessary, no more than 2 quarts of water (as recommended by SAFETY COATINGS, INC.) per 5 gallons of paint (5 gallons per 55 gallon drum) should be added. Addition of water may make paint dry slower.
6. All paint should be applied at 15 mils + 1 mil wet. The spreading rate is 350 linear feet per gallon of 4-inch line.
7. For reflectorization, drop-on glass beads should be applied immediately after the paint with the optimum amount being 6 lbs. per gallon of paint uniformly spread over the entire line.
8. All paint lines should be adequately protected until they are track free before traffic is allowed over the line.
9. Since most traffic paint dries rapidly, all equipment, tools, etc. should be cleaned with soap and water immediately after application is complete.
10. When applying waterborne paints, the air temperature should be 50 degrees F minimum, and the surface temperature 50 degrees F minimum. The application temperature of heated paints should not exceed 120 degrees F.