How Long Does Thermoplastic Paint Last?
Thermoplastic road paint is one of the best types of road paint that one can use on asphalt or concrete. It is a common substance used for high traffic roads, back lanes, and parking lots alike, and its flexibility and durability are two reasons it is so valuable for road striping. People want to apply road paint that will last the longest time. The question is, how long does thermoplastic paint last?
What Is Thermoplastic Paint?
Thermoplastic road paint is a type of synthetic resin or hydrocarbon that comes in pellets that bond with the pavement when heated. The thermoplastic can contain glass beads for retroreflectivity and can come in a variety of colors. Thermoplastic road paint comes in two forms, hydrocarbon vs. alkyd, which both serve high traffic areas.
Thermoplastic Drying Time
One must heat the thermoplastic road paint up to nearly 400 degrees Fahrenheit before applying it to the road. Different techniques exist, such as spraying, extruding, and screeding. Nevertheless, the temperature must be right in order for the paint to dry quickly. One can only apply thermoplastic road paint when the weather is 50 degrees or higher. If the striping is only 1 mm thick, it will dry within minutes. Thicker paint will take only a little longer to dry completely.
The Harshness of the Road
Different environments call for different types of road paint. One can often find thermoplastic paint in harsher conditions, and overall, road paint must be able to withstand numerous elements.
First there’s the weather. The hot sun, the blistering rain, and fluctuating temperatures take a constant toll on the road paint. Second, it must be able to handle the expansion and contraction of the asphalt. Asphalt can expand and contract depending on the temperature, which over time will lead to cracks and potholes if not well-maintained.
Third, you have traffic conditions. Lots of traffic means much wear and tear, and it is even worse when someone skids or halts on the breaks over the road markings. Vehicles can cause damage in other ways, such as oil and fluid spills. Don’t forget about wear and tear from pedestrians and cyclists, either. All in all, a road paint must be able to withstand the harshest of conditions and the heaviest of daily traffic, and thermoplastic paint fulfills this mission.
How Long Thermoplastic Paint Lasts
Given the conditions that the most taxing environment can give, thermoplastic paint can last between three and five years. If it is a thicker application, it will naturally last longer. Compared to other regular paints, thermoplastic lasts the longest by far. Talk with Teniseal/Parking Striping Corporation for more details!
Contact Teniseal/Parking Striping Corporation for Asphalt Road and Parking Lot Services!
Teniseal Corporation specializes in the application, restoration and maintenance of all types of asphalt surfaces. It makes sense to trust your asphalt job to experts with the experience and technical know-how to do your project right from the start to provide a long-lasting result. Teniseal offers services for Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, Prince George’s, Harford, Carroll, and Montgomery counties in Maryland. For more information, email them at [email protected], or call them at 410-485-5660 or 410-485-0717. Keep in touch on social media through Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!
