{"id":10501,"date":"2023-09-21T15:07:16","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T22:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog2.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=10501"},"modified":"2025-02-28T17:24:59","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T00:24:59","slug":"parking-lot-striping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/parking-lot-striping\/","title":{"rendered":"Parking Lot Striping: DIY Striping Vs. Professional Parking Lot Painting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The best parking lots have clear traffic arrows to direct customers safely in and out of the lot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you may not appreciate prominent parking lines, crosswalks, and flow-of-traffic arrows when they’re there, you’ll certainly notice when they’re not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When these lines–and the other parking lot markings–become faded, driving in a parking lot becomes that much more hazardous.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you’re a parking lot owner (or just thinking about purchasing a parking lot<\/a>), it’s important to note that parking lot striping is required every 12 to 18 months. Routine restriping\/repainting can reduce parking lot accidents, which account for 1 in 5 car accidents<\/a> each year. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of parking lot striping, guiding you through the process, cost, and equipment needed to create a safe and visually appealing parking area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parking Lot Striping: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Properly striped parking lots direct the flow of traffic and reduce fender benders, but parking lot lines aren’t permanent. They start to fade after a year and need to be repainted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a property manager, you can either hire a professional to stripe your lot or take the DIY approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Decide on Parking Lot Markings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Parking lines, directional arrows, crosswalks, and handicap stalls<\/a> are all essential markings, while reserved spots (like for doctors, residents, or paying members) and loading zones (often designated by a large X, angled lines, or painted “No Parking”) are optional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your building might also require a fire lane, marked by a red or yellow strip and the painted words “Fire Lane, No Parking<\/strong><\/em>.” Codes for fire lanes vary from state to state, so make sure to consult your local fire department for local regulations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contractors often charge per unit for specialized markings. For example, directional arrows are often $15-20 apiece, while handicap stalls are $50-$75. Make sure to factor this into your budget if you’re hiring a professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did You Know?<\/em><\/strong> – The average size of a parking space in the United States is <\/em>between 16 to 18 feet long and 8 to 9 feet wide?<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Surface Cleaning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The next step is surface preparation. If you take the DIY approach, you’ll need to rent or purchase an industrial blower to remove debris, like leaves and dirt, from the parking lot surface, ensuring a clean foundation for the paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also important to seal any cracks in your parking lot surface to avoid further damage. Most contractors quote crack sealing at $1 to $3 per square foot<\/a>, but you can purchase pothole filler and crack sealer from hardware stores for around $150.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Parking Lot Line Striping Begins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once the surface is prepared, it’s time to paint. New lot lines usually take skilled painters a few hours to paint, while touch-ups take a lot less time. Depending on the type of paint used, a lot may be operational in as little as four hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s a learning curve for line striping, so taking the DIY approach (whether with specialized equipment or a simple sprayer) will likely take a bit longer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The larger the lot, the higher the chance that you won’t be able to complete the project in one day, leading to more downtime for your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, you can definitely speed up the process by choosing the right equipment for the job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the Right Materials and Equipment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

High-quality traffic paint is necessary<\/strong> for any parking lot job, as it ensures durability and resistance to wear and tear. Additionally, you can achieve straighter lines with the applicators and laser guides common on specialized line striping equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traffic Paint for Parking Lots<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Various paint types are available for parking lot lines, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n