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Parking Lot Painting Facts For Striping In The Fall

Parking lot painting is one of those tasks that many property owners and managers overlook until it’s well past the peak service season. The truth is that Richmond parking lot striping deserves to live higher up on your priority list. Striping can improve safety, enhance traffic efficiency, ensure code compliance, and more. Once those lines and markings fade, safety and the overall driver experience suffer. So, what happens if you need service from striping companies in Richmond during the fall season? Here are some facts you need to know.

Is It Possible to Do Parking Lot Painting in the Fall or Winter?

Richmond parking lot striping contractors prefer to work during the warmer months. Spring and summer are peak seasons for parking lot striping, and it’s not so much about preference as it is about practicality.

You see, parking lot striping paint needs time to cure. Like sealcoating, paint cures partly through mechanisms of evaporation. Exact timelines and environmental requirements vary based on the type of parking lot striping paint used. However, standard water- or solvent-based formulas need to cure for as much as 24 hours before they can accept standard traffic. Those paints dry to the touch in about an hour, but they won’t have the durability you need until a full day later.

So, how do seasonal conditions come into the mix? In the spring and summer seasons, the weather is reliably warm and dry. Thus, evaporation can occur without issue. That’s not the case during the late fall or winter. As a result, parking lot striping may not cure properly. Instead of vibrant lines and markings, you’ll have slow-to-dry paint that doesn’t bond tightly with your asphalt.

What Conditions Do Striping Contractors Need?

Parking lot striping companies require temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal results. Some formulas can perform well in temperatures as low as 45 degrees, but 50 degrees is generally considered the standard rule of thumb. But that’s not all. To facilitate proper curing and efficient evaporation, conditions must also be dry. Humidity levels above 50 percent can stall curing, preventing that all-important bond.

In early fall, Richmond parking lot striping is still a viable option. However, come October, things get tricky. While daytime temperatures are usually above that 50-degree threshold, paint can struggle to cure at night. Even further into late fall, nighttime temperatures can dip into freezing territory.

If you need striping in the fall, you must schedule your appointment with striping contractors as early as possible in the fall season.

Are There Any Types of Parking Lot Striping Paint That Aren’t Impacted by Temperature or Weather?

Striping companies in Richmond may offer more premium formulas. Some are more suited for winter striping than others. For example, two-part formulas that contain an acrylic-based resin are more resistant to cold weather. Those parking lot striping paint formulas cure faster, making them more suitable for fall and winter projects. However, they come at a premium price, and not all parking lot striping companies offer them.

What Other Factors Can Affect Parking Lot Painting in the Fall?

It’s not just about temperatures. Other factors could derail the work that striping contractors do. For instance, what happens if your pavement needs additional repair or maintenance work? If you wait until the fall season to complete that work, you’re likely to run out of time before conditions become too unfavorable for parking lot striping.

Sealcoating and repair work also need time to cure. By the time those projects are complete, the weather may be too harsh for parking lot striping companies to do their job.

Don’t hesitate to contact CVA Striping if your parking lot needs a refresh. We’re among the most reliable striping companies in Richmond, offering prompt service with high-quality paint formulas. We’ll work closely with you to meet your needs, even during the fall season. In addition to parking lot striping, CVA Striping offers services like sealcoating, asphalt repair, athletic sports courts, fire line marking, warehouse floor markings, and more.

Contact us now to request a complimentary quote and schedule your parking lot striping appointment. You can reach CVA Striping at (804) 432-3255. Alternatively, email the team at cvastriping@gmail.com or use our online form to submit your information.