Truck East – MOT Bay Line Marking for Lorry Pits
For Truck East’s busy workshop, we installed high-visibility, long-life line marking around lorry inspection pits used for repairs and MOTs. We shot-blasted the concrete for a clean mechanical key, then applied a two-part internal epoxy system—two coats, with approximately 24 hours’ cure per coat—to deliver durable, crisp edges that help technicians line up vehicles safely.
The programme was delivered as part of Truck East’s ongoing MOT Bay Line Marking maintenance, while the garage remained operational. We completed a single area at a time to minimise disruption and keep lanes open for live jobs.
Project Snapshot & Outcome
Location: Truck East commercial workshop (lorry/MOT bays). Scope: Shot-blast prep to pit edges and approach zones; masking for razor-sharp borders; 2-part epoxy line marking around pits, alignment guides and keep-clear zones; phased working, one bay at a time. Objective: Improve visibility at pits, support accurate vehicle alignment, and stand up to heavy traffic and cleaning.
Outcome: High-contrast, durable markings that make pit edges unmistakable and help technicians position HGVs with confidence—delivered with minimal downtime and a tidy, professional finish.
The Workshop Manager’s perspective:
You can’t pause MOTs and repairs for long. By phasing the works one area at a time and using a shot-blasted + 2-coat epoxy system, we kept your lanes productive while upgrading visibility and safety around the pits. Taped edges and careful de-masking gave you crisp borders that are easy to enforce and maintain.
The result is fewer alignment do-overs, clearer keep-clear zones for jacks and tooling, and safer steps onto and around the pit.
Challenges & Solutions
1) Live MOT & repair operations
The site needed to stay open, with technicians working through scheduled jobs.
Solution: A phased programme that isolated a single bay or pit approach at a time, coordinated around shift breaks and quieter windows. Clear cordons and signage kept people and tools out of curing zones.
Guidance: HSE: Motor vehicle repair safety
2) Long service life under HGV traffic
Heavy axles, turning, oil, brake dust and scrubber-dryer cleaning demand a high-performance coating.
Solution: Shot-blasted preparation to achieve a uniform profile, followed by a 2-part epoxy line marking system. We applied two coats to specified film build, allowing approximately 24 hours’ cure per coat before reinstating each zone.
Related reading: Grinding & shot-blasting prep
3) Pit edge visibility & alignment accuracy
Edges must be unmistakable, and alignment guides need to be readable under workshop lighting and debris.
Solution: High-contrast epoxy bands around pit edges and alignment lines at approaches. We taped out every edge and peeled at tack-set for razor-sharp borders that remain legible after cleaning.
Best practice: HSE INDG434: Working beneath vehicles (PDF) ·
DVSA: MOT inspection manuals
4) Chemical & cleaning resistance
Spilled oils/fluids and regular scrubber-dryer cycles can dull or undercut poor coatings.
Solution: Epoxy chemistry selected for chemical resistance and adhesion to profiled concrete; optional polyurethane glaze available where enhanced cleanability is required.
Technical Specification (What We Used & Why)
Surface Preparation: Targeted shot-blasting to pit surrounds and approach lanes to remove contamination and generate a high-energy mechanical key. Local diamond grinding where needed; dust-controlled vacuum extraction; degreasing of oil-affected spots.
- Profile: consistent, non-gloss texture to anchor epoxy and improve edge durability.
- Masking: full tape lines to achieve straight, uniform borders.
Two-Part Internal Epoxy Line Marking: High-solids, abrasion-resistant epoxy system for workshops subject to HGV traffic and frequent cleaning.
- System build: 2 coats to specified film thickness (primer used locally if required).
- Cure: ~24 hours per coat (ambient dependent) before reinstatement of each area.
- Finish: High-contrast colours for pit edges, keep-clear bands and alignment guides.
- Options: Anti-slip aggregate at steps/ramps; polyurethane glaze for additional cleanability.
Related services:
Warehouse Line Marking ·
Indoor Line Removal ·
Walkways & Pedestrian Routes.
Our Phased, Live-Site Process
- Survey & plan: Confirm pit layouts, alignment guides and keep-clear zones; agree colours and legend schedule.
- Phasing & comms: Isolate one area at a time; brief technicians; plan around MOT slots and quieter windows.
- Prep: Shot-blast/diamond-grind; vacuum and degrease; mask edges for crisp borders.
- Coat 1: Apply epoxy to film build; remove tape at tack-set; allow ~24h cure; reinstate if required.
- Coat 2: Re-mask as needed; apply second coat; cure ~24h; final reinstate and clean down.
- Sign-off & aftercare: Client walk-through; cleaning guidance; optional maintenance schedule.
Benefits You Keep Long-Term
Clear, durable markings around inspection pits improve technician safety and speed up set-ups. The shot-blasted + 2-coat epoxy system resists wear and cleaning, extending repaint intervals and reducing downtime across the year.
Net result: safer bays, smoother MOT throughput, and a professional workshop appearance for customers and auditors alike.
Next Steps
Need high-visibility pit edges and alignment guides without pausing your workshop? We’ll survey, phase the programme bay-by-bay, and deliver a long-life epoxy system built for heavy traffic.
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Useful external resources:
HSE: Motor vehicle repair safety ·
DVSA: MOT inspection manuals.
