Line marking removal is an important working process during the entire line painting application. Whether the existing line markings are from a previous construction project or just general wear and tear, removing them can help with any sort of road renovation and make room for new, safer lines to be painted. There are many different methods that can be used, but one of the most popular is wet abrasive blasting (or dustless blasting) using soda bicarbonate. This is an environmentally friendly option that can also remove other types of paint like thermoplastic.
Other options include surface grinding which works well on all surfaces, especially concrete, leaving them looking brand new. However, this method can leave a lot of dust behind and it can sometimes leave ‘ghost marks’ or scars on the surface which can confuse drivers. These marks can be removed using a secondary method like water blasting, but that can increase the cost of the project.
The Art of Line Marking Removal: Best Practices and Techniques
Thermoplastic line markings can also be removed using hot compressed air lances that use propane gas and compressed air to burn off the paint. These can be quite noisy and produce some fumes so are not ideal for certain locations.
Dry sandblasting is another option but it can be a messy and costly project. Aggressive sandblasting can also leave confused ghost marks on the surface of the blasted area and roughen the underlying surface. The wet abrasive blasting process also known as “dustless blasting” or ”water blasting” is the most effective and clean way of removing existing line markings. The water suppresses the dust, making it safe for the environment and the operator and the abrasive media is contained within the tank with the pressure of the pressurised water to create a forceful impact removing line markings easily.
