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Why Hand Application Out performs Spray Painting for Indoor Line Marking
We were recently asked by another line marking contractor why we don’t spray paint our lines when installing indoor line marking.
For us the answer is quite simple: it’s all about the appearance and quality.
Now, don’t get us wrong, using spray painting indoors is quick and easy, and many people manage to make it look decent. But personally, we believe hand application provides a much better finish.
Take a look at the video above to see the finish you can achieve with hand painted line marking. For the line marking project in this video the lines were all hand-applied. The result? A sharp, defined edge.
That said, both spray painting and hand painting (or rolling) have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to applying line marking paint:
Spray Painting Warehouse Lines
Advantages
- Speed: Spray painting with line marking paint can be faster than hand painting or rolling, making it ideal for large areas or projects with tight deadlines.
- Well Suited to Uneven Surfaces: Although we personally wouldn’t recommend spray line marking for indoor use, it is well suited for uneven and textured surfaces making it a great option for outdoor areas such as car parks.
- Curved lines: Unlike hand painting which is usually installed using tape, spray line marking may have an advantage when it comes to creating curved lines.
Disadvantages
- Corner Ridges: One of the things we particularly dislike about spraying, are the corners. When you hand paint floor markings the corners appear as one continuous line, but when sprayed, you get ridges and inconsistent edges.
- Feathered Edges: Feathering is another issue with spraying. Since people often don’t tape when spraying, you end up with a fluffy effect along the edges of the line and can see the powdery residue from the line marking paint outside of it. In a car park, it might go unnoticed, but indoors, it’s noticeable.
- Overspray: Overspray generated by spray machines not only leads to blurred line edges but may inadvertently coat nearby surfaces or equipment with paint. This not only results in wastage of paint but also necessitates additional clean-up efforts to remove excess paint from unintended areas.
- Accessing Tight Areas: Spray machines, while efficient for large-scale line marking projects, can encounter limitations when confronted with tight spaces or challenging-to-reach areas. In environments like narrow corridors, cramped storage facilities, or around intricate machinery configurations, the manoeuvrability of spray machines may be restricted, hindering their ability to apply markings accurately and effectively.
- Precision: the precision of line placement may be compromised in difficult-to-access areas, where the line of sight for operators using spray machines may be obstructed. This can result in uneven or misaligned markings, detracting from the overall clarity and effectiveness of the signage.
Hand Painting Warehouse Lines
Advantages:
- Precision: Hand painting or rolling allows for precise control over line thickness and placement. This is particularly useful for intricate designs or areas where accuracy is crucial.
- Cost-effective for small areas: For small-scale projects or areas with limited space, hand painting can be more cost-effective as it doesn’t require specialised equipment like spray machines.
- Versatility: Hand painting enables meticulous and precise installation of floor markings in spaces inaccessible to spray machines. This makes it an excellent choice for warehouses and factories, where manoeuvring around machinery, partitions, and other equipment is common.
- Line Quality: Hand-painted line marking yields sharp, crisp lines with smooth edges and a consistently even surface, culminating in a professional and top-quality finish.
Disadvantages:
- Time-consuming: Hand painting or rolled lines can be more time-consuming than spray painting, especially for larger areas.
Ultimately, the choice between hand painting and spray-painting lines depends on factors such as project size, budget, timeline, surface type, and desired finish.
For us, when people proudly showcase their sprayed line marking paint with inconsistent patterns, tram lines, and feathered edges, we can’t help but feel a bit disappointed. Because of this, our policy is not to use spray line marking indoors. We prefer hand application for the quality and superior look it provides.
Of course, every line marking company or contractor must do what works for them, their team and most importantly their clients. At the end of the day, it’s about delivering what works best for your customers.
Line Marking Specialists
Experience the best in the industry. If you want further advice on warehouse line marking or would like to speak to us about your project, get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team today on 020 3369 2969.
