Parking Lot Painting Facts For Striping In The Fall

Parking Lot Painting Facts For Striping In The Fall

In Reno and beyond, many regard parking lot painting as a spring or summer task. There are good reasons for that. Parking lot painting produces better results in warmer weather. That said, contractors can still stripe or restripe parking lot surfaces in the fall. In this blog, we’ll share several parking lot painting facts you may not have known, empowering you to make the right choices for your property.

What Parking Lot Painting Facts Pertain to Weather’s Impact on Projects?

Striping companies prefer to work in warm weather, and it all comes down to practicality and the success of the final product. Parking lot painting products need time to dry, cure, and bond to your asphalt. Formulas vary, but most will need up to 24 hours of curing time before your parking lot is ready for heavy-duty traffic.

How does weather come into the mix? Most products cure primarily through evaporation, and the weather directly affects that process! Warm, dry weather with low humidity levels is best. As the weather in Reno cools in the fall, those conditions become less available. There will still be periods of optimal conditions in early fall, but they’ll be few and far between as winter approaches.

What Conditions Do Striping Companies in Reno Prefer?

Again, paint formulas and techniques vary. However, most will require the following:

• Temperatures above 50 degrees
• Humidity levels above 50 percent
• Zero chance of precipitation

Ideally, striping companies in Reno want temperatures around 70 degrees. A warm, crisp day with plenty of summer sun is perfect. In the fall, those conditions can be challenging to come by.

What Are Some of the Risks of Parking Lot Painting in the Fall?

The biggest concern with parking lot striping in the fall is the slow curing time. When temperatures drop, evaporation slows to a crawl. That means more downtime and disruptions for your business. In temperatures below 50 degrees, the product might not cure at all.

Either way, there’s always the risk that the finished results won’t last. Striping companies often have to restripe parking lot surfaces come spring because paint applied during the fall or winter season didn’t hold up.

Is There a Difference Between Ground and Ambient Temperatures for Reno Parking Lot Striping?

We mentioned that most parking lot striping paint formulas require temperatures of at least 50 degrees. But does that apply to ground or air temperatures? The best striping companies will consider both, because both impact the curing process.

However, ground temperatures tend to be more critical because they have a greater impact on how paint adheres to the asphalt.

Here’s the thing about ground temperature: It can be drastically different from ambient temperature. If you had a recent freeze, the asphalt can be considerably colder. Conversely, surfaces with ample sun exposure can be warmer.

That’s why the best striping companies in Reno measure both before proceeding with parking lot striping.

What Falltime Parking Lot Painting Facts Might Surprise Me?

Is your asphalt paving relatively new? Reno parking lot striping is typically easier on newer surfaces! Because fresh asphalt is darker, it absorbs more heat. Therefore, your pavement may stay warmer later into the fall season than older surfaces.

Do Certain Parking Lot Painting Products Perform Better in Cooler Weather?

When planning your Reno parking lot striping project, consult with your contractor about the paints and techniques available to you. The weather has a substantial impact on standard parking lot painting products. However, some methods don’t respond as much to cooler temperatures.

If you need to stripe or restripe parking lot surfaces in cooler weather, you may benefit from choosing a higher-quality paint product or a more advanced application technique. Explore your options and ask your contractor what’s right for your property, budget, and needs.

Affordable Striping & Sealing is among the best striping companies in Reno. We’ve been around for decades, building a reputation with clients around the area grounded in trust and respect. No matter your needs, we’ll work with you to develop solutions that exceed all expectations. That applies to more than just Reno parking lot striping. We also offer services like asphalt crack repair, sealcoating, parking lot layout design, maintenance, and more.

We’re happy to offer free quotes, so give Affordable Striping & Sealing a call at (775) 825-1101 today to get yours. If you prefer, you can also email the team at RenoOffice@affordablestriping.com or submit your information using our online form.