How do they paint white lines on roads so accurately?

Do you need to apply road line markings in Leeds? If so, you may be wondering how they paint them with such precision. Road marking is certainly a skilled task, with a number of methods used to achieve an exact and flawless finish every time. “How do they paint white lines on roads so accurately?” is one of the most common questions we get asked here at Road Marking Services. Read on to find out the answer. 

What are the white lines on the roads?

The white lines on the roads are there to provide important information to road users such as motorists and pedestrians. Helping to improve road safety and reduce the risk of accidents occurring. The white lines make people aware of hazards and help us to drive in an appropriate manner for the situation. Without white line markings, confusion can occur which could potentially lead to collisions. For example, if two motorists both believe they have the right of way because there are no lines to indicate who has priority, a crash could easily happen. 

Lines on roads can fade over time. Which means they need reapplying to ensure their visibility. Whilst lines on a country lane with minimal traffic can last for between 5-10 years, those on extremely busy roads like motorways and A-roads may need a refresh every four to five years. Don’t leave roads too long before refreshing their markings. Clear, visible white lines are essential for safety.

The white lines are made from thermoplastic resin which is mixed with titanium-dioxide pigment and reflective glass beads. The pigment is there to provide a bright white and highly visible colour. With the beads acting as ‘retroreflectors’. This means they reflect some of the light back to its source. Thermoplastic is by far the most popular material for road markings. However, epoxy, chlorinated rubber and water-based paint are also used. Which material we’ll use for your white line markings will depend on a number of different factors.  

How do we apply white lines so accurately?

“How do they paint white lines on roads so accurately?” is a popular question. There are a couple of ways in which we paint white lines onto the roads in such an accurate manner. On major roads, we apply them using a dedicated road marking vehicle, with the paint delivered to the surface via computer control. You might think that the use of computer control ensures total accuracy, however, the surveyed line still needs to be followed precisely. This is done by an experienced ‘steersman’. Highly skilled, they are able to follow the line accurately and at the right pace for the road conditions. 

On smaller roads, we apply the white lines using a laying pram, which is basically a simple metal cart with a heater to keep the paint from drying out. The operator of this piece of equipment has a great deal of skill, capable of following the line precisely and at the correct rate to ensure the white lines are the right width. They also need to stop and start the flow of the paint to achieve the appropriate pattern. 

Road marking may look like a straightforward task but it really does require a huge amount of skill. Road marking operatives need to be fully trained to apply white lines to roads, not just to ensure high-quality results but for health and safety reasons too. Operatives need to be aware of the safety hazards that are present in road marking and how to respond in the event of a spillage. Don’t risk putting your road marking needs in the hands of someone who hasn’t undergone the necessary training. 

Road line markings in Leeds 

If you want to ensure that white lines are applied to the highest possible standards, make sure you hire an experienced road marking specialist. At Road Marking Services, we have been painting white line markings in Leeds and throughout West Yorkshire for many years, giving us a huge amount of skill, knowledge and expertise. We pride ourselves on applying white lines with expert precision, ensuring a first-class finish every time. We’ve gained a fantastic reputation over the past 25 years, becoming widely renowned for our professionalism, reliability and competitive prices. 

No job is too big or small for our team to handle. So, whether you need a few lines reapplying to a road due to them becoming faded or you need to paint lines on a long stretch of motorway, we can assist. Our operatives use the best, most up-to-date equipment and materials to ensure complete precision of your road markings. Whilst thermoplastic screed is usually our preferred option due to its quick-drying and abrasion-resistant qualities, we may recommend other materials in some cases, including epoxy, chlorinated rubber paint or water-based paints. We’ll carefully assess the nature and requirements of your project and offer suggestions based on this. 

If you’re thinking of hiring Road Marking Services to apply white line markings in Leeds, book a site survey today. We can carry out a site survey free of charge, allowing us to assess the needs of the line marking work and provide you with an accurate quotation.

Contact us 

If you’re still wondering “How do they paint white lines on roads so accurately?”, get in touch with our team today. We’re more than happy to provide you with further information about the line marking process. We can apply road line markings in Leeds and the surrounding areas, providing a fantastic service you can rely on. You can reach us by calling us on 0113 436 0347 or by sending us a message via our website. We will get back to you as quickly as we can. 

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