All posts by Steven Cole

Steven Cole (Economics, MBA – University of West Florida, Business & Innovation – Stanford University) 30 years experience in the parking lot striping business.  Expert in reflective visibility solutions.

Repainting Bollards and Light Pole Bases

In addition to striping parking lots you will often be asked to freshen up other painted items in a lot. A few of these may be parking space bumpers, light bases and bollards. These can be done with a sprayer and a paint mask for the ground to prevent overspray. I would normally charge a fee for my paint plus my hourly rate times the estimated time to complete each object to be painted.  You can also add reflective tape to the tops of the bollards to prevent collisions.

Pricing, Bidding or Estimating Jobs

The task of pricing or bidding parking lot striping jobs is sometimes overwhelming for new striping or sealcoating companies. It is normal to be apprehensive of things you have never done, however, the process of estimating a parking lot striping or sealcoating job does not have to be complicated. The best way to make this process manageable is to break the task down into smaller sections.  Using our STRIPE-CALC or STRIPE-INVOICE spreadsheet will also help make the process much simpler.

When I price a parking lot my goal is to receive about 20 cents per linear foot of four inch striping, sixty cents per linear foot for the curbing that runs along the front of many shopping centers, and $50 – $60 per hour plus materials for logos and markings that can’t be calculated by the linear foot. An example of these would be arrows, light bases, bumpers, handicap logos, etc… Remember that your prices may be higher or lower depending on your market.

When I arrive at a location to do a bid the first thing I do is count and record the number of 4″ lines in the lot. These are the parking stall lines that make up the bulk of the striping that you will be doing. There is no need to measure every parking space line. This would take you all day. Simply count the number of car spaces. If there is a line separating cars that park nose to nose like in the picture below that will be calculated separately. One thing to note is that in the picture below there are spaces for 10 cars. However, if you count the lines there are 12. So if you have a block of spaces holding 100 nose to nose cars you will in most cases have 102 lines for that block because you have to have two lines at the end to start the block. If you don’t count the extra two that is fine but if you had 20 blocks of spaces in a large parking lot you would be giving away $160. After I count up the 4″ lines I multiply the number of spaces by $4 which is a shortcut for adding up all the linear feet and multiplying by 20 cents. Then I calculate the linear footage of all the other 4″ lines in the parking lot and multiply by 20 cents. This will include the centerline between nose to nose parking, firelane striping, the lines down the middle of the road and any hatch areas. You should now have a total for all of the 4″ lines in the lot.

After you have done this you are going to want to calculate pricing for the other markings in the parking lot such as logos, stop bars, arrows, light bases and bumpers. I normally charge $15 – $25 for a basic arrow depending on the size, 60 cents per linear foot for curbing, $10 per car stop (parking lot bumper), and $20 per light base. You will need to make a list of typical items and pre price them. A way to price odd items like this is to take the amount of time it will take you to paint the item then multiply that a $ rate per minute. (I use $1 per minute or $60 per hour) Then add the cost of your materials times two to that number. For example, if it will take 20 minutes for you to paint a light pole base and $2 in paint you would charge $20 plus $4 for a total of $24 per base.

For potholes that I can patch with bagged asphalt I usually price the same as I do miscellaneous items. I double the cost of my asphalt and then estimate the time it will take to apply it, multiply that by a dollar per minute, and add those number together.

Here is an example of a simple parking lot.

120 spaces – $480
400 feet of centerline – $80
400 feet of other 4″ – $80
300 feet of curbing – $180
6 medium arrows – $90
2 – 12″ x 20 stop bars – $48 (1.20 per linear foot x 40)
2 pot holes – $40 (20 minutes times $1 plus ($10 x 2) for materials)

Total – $998

To keep things simple, set a per linear foot price for 4″ and other width striping and apply that to as much of the lot as possible. Then set your prices for odds and ends. As previously outlined, use the double the materials plus $50-$60 per hour approach for these miscellaneous items. When you price by the linear foot, keep in mind that the hourly rate, materials etc.. are all in that per linear foot price. You will not need to calculate those items in again.

There are other ways to price but this is the method that I find the most logical and straight forward. I hope this information is useful to you.

I have a spreadsheet pricing program available at the following link. CLICK HERE.

To see more of our parking lot striping articles CLICK HERE.

STRIPE-QUOTE Parking Lot Striping Sealcoating Pricing/Invoice Program

Stripe-Quote Parking Lot Striping Program – INSTANT DOWNLOAD.  If after paying, you do not receive the download link email me at steve@reflectivestore.com and I will send that you to.  Or call me at 850-934-3157.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER STRIPE-QUOTE

See image at the bottom of the page.

Our STRIPE-QUOTE spreadsheet program is designed to help you price, propose and invoice parking lot striping and sealcoating jobs. To use it you simply enter data that you collect from the jobsite into the spreadsheet. It will calculate the price based upon what you enter. The spreadsheet prices striping and sealcoating jobs. Included with the spreadsheet is our “marketing guide”. It walks you through how to get jobs and includes some sample letters and flyers.

The spreadsheet is designed to be easy to use. The pricing data is already entered but you can edit it to match your market prices if you wish. There is a second tab that you can click and store your prices on items like handicap signs, no parking signs, installed bumpers, etc..

The spreadsheet and marketing guide are $19.99 and are available in a downloadable format. After you pay via paypal you will be given a download link. The link will take you to a directory where you can download the files individually or all at one time as a .zip file. The spreadsheet can be opened one of three ways. First, you can open the spreadsheet using Excel. Second, you can open the spreadsheet using the included “spread32” program. Third, you can go to docs.google.com and use that free service to open the spreadsheet.

You can order below for $19.99.  After you pay you will be taken to a download page where you can download our Stripe-Quote Spreadsheet. If you have any questions you can email me at steve@reflectivestore.com or you can call me at 850-934-3157. Thanks.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER STRIPE-QUOTE

STRIPE-CALC Parking Lot Striping / Sealcoating Pricing Program Plus

STRIPE-CALC Parking Lot Striping / Sealcoating Program – INSTANT DOWNLOAD. If after paying, you do not receive the download link email me at steve@reflectivestore.com and I will send that you to.  Or call me at 850-934-3157.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER STRIPE-CALC

See image at the bottom of the page.

Our  STRIPE-CALC spreadsheet program is designed to help you price parking lot striping and sealcoating jobs.  To use it you simply enter data that you collect from the jobsite into the spreadsheet.  It will calculate the price based upon what you enter.  There is a section for striping as well as sealcoating.  The sealcoating section adjusts pricing for clean and rough parking lots.  Also, the program will estimate your profit for the job.  I use this myself and have found it to be very helpful.  Included with the spreadsheet is our “marketing guide”.  It walks you through how to get jobs and includes some sample letters and flyers.

The spreadsheet is designed to be easy to use.  The pricing data is already entered but you can edit it to match your market prices if you wish.  All you really have to do is enter the price you pay per gallon of paint and you are ready to start calculating jobs.

The spreadsheet and marketing guide are $24.99 and are available in a downloadable format. After you pay via paypal you will be given a download link. The link will take you to a directory where you can download the files individually or all at one time as a .zip file. The spreadsheet can be opened one of three ways. First, you can open the spreadsheet using Excel. Second, you can open the spreadsheet using the included “spread32” program. Third, you can go to docs.google.com and use that free service to open the spreadsheet.

You can order below for $24.99. After you pay you will be taken to a page where you can download our STRIPE-CALC spreadsheet.  If you do not get the files contact me and I will send you the link.  If you have any questions you can email me at steve@reflectivestore.com or call me at 850-934-3157. Thanks.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER STRIPE-CALC

TRUELINE Parking Lot Stripers – Online Store

The Trueline family of paint stripers are rugged, affordable and capable machines. They are the best priced commercial machines on the market and fully capable of doing commercial work. Because the stripers are built with simplicity in mind, any one can work on the machine and downtime is near zero. Trueline Stripers have been built by Trusco Manufacturing since 1964. The company has an excellent reputation for service and quality. We use their machines in our operation and highly recommend them to our customers. Please contact me at steve@colebrothers.com or 850-934-3157 with any questions.

Trusco Trueline Model 20 Parking Lot StriperHere is how a Trueline Striper works. The striping machines utilize a stainless steel pressure tank. Air pressure is used to force, thinned paint out of the tank and into a spray tip that is housed in a paint box that slides along the ground. The spray tip creates a flat, fan pattern spray that hits the edges of the box and creates a clean, sharp, line. (The box makes it possible for the machine to produce a nice clean line even in windy conditions.)  Each machine uses a different method for pressurizing the tank but all stripe the same way.  One other nice feature is that all the machines are quiet.  Even the T2000 gasoline model only needs to run  to pressurize the reserve tanks.  Once the tanks are pressurized you can turn off the engine and stripe quietly.  This is important because you need to be able to hear what is going on around you.

Trueline machines can be used to stripe factory floors, parking lots, roads, and sports fields.  You don’t need a machine for each job.  One machine will do all four.

We have several Trueline models for you to choose from. Each has its own unique characteristics and capabilities and is designed to fit your specific needs. We have an information and ordering page for each machine accessable via the links below or to the right. The information page goes into more depth about the features and advantages of each machine. The available Trueline machines are as follows

Models Available:
Model 20 – 4 gallon pump up striper – $885

Model 20 PLUS – 4 gallon pump up striper w/ air valve – $945
Model 250 APT (For companies or factories that have access to compressed air) $1,935
Model 250 or 350 N (Nitrogen High Pressure Cylinder) $1,745 / $2,145
Model 250 or 350 BP (Battery Powered) – $2,148 / $2,548
Model 250 or 350 EC (Plug in electric air compressor) $2,149 / $2,549

The following Accessories are available for all machines except the model 20:

  • Spray gun
  • Glass Bead Dispenser
  • Solvent Cleaning System
  • Double Line Attachment

The following specifications are common to all models:(except model 20):

  • Welded heavy duty iron steel frame with 5/8″ axles.
  • 10″ pneumatic tires, heavy duty steel hub, steel ball bearings.
  • 4″ Spray Box – Heavy Duty Steel. Other box sizes available.
  • Drain hose to make cleanup a quick easy clean job.
  • Eight quart galvanized funnel with aluminum strainer.
  • Tank Brush for cleaning the inside of paint tank.
  • Parking Brake to keep the machine from rolling down hills
  • Simple viscosimeter to measure the paint thickness.
  • Fittings are made from Brass & stainless steel
  • 98% assembled – Within 30 minutes you should be ready to stripe.
  • 30 day satisfaction guarantee warranty
  • 2 year warranty on defective parts and workmanship.
  • 10 year warranty on rust through of tank or chassis.

If you are looking for a very economical way to stripe factory floors, parking lots, roads or sporting fields then the Trueline Paint Striper is a machine to look into.

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To go to our main Reflective Tape and Safety Products site click here.

Glass Beads to Make Parking Lot Stripes / Lines Reflective AASHTO

Reflective Glass Beads – Adding Reflectivity to your Lines.

glassbeads3

You have probably noticed that the painted stripes on the interstate or local roads light up when your headlights hit them.  The lines light up due to reflective beads embedded in the surface of the paint or thermoplastic used to stripe the road.  To make the lines reflective glass beads are distributed on top of wet paint or hot thermoplastic at a rate of about 6 pounds to the gallon of paint. When light hits the small glass spheres they reflect back a portion of that light to the source.

REFLECTIVE GLASS BEADS

Glass beads or spheres are the most common and oldest way of reflecting light in commercial applications. Thousands of small glass beads embedded in traffic paint will cause it to light up when automobile lights hit it. Because of their rounded parabolic shape and clarity, each glass bead reflects light back to the source.

AASHTO reflective traffic beads are designed to be added to the surface of traffic paint to make it retro-reflective. Standard AASHTO  Highway Spheres are rated as a type 1 bead.  (In comparison, type 3 beads, which are brighter,  are used for airport runways.)  The addition of these glass spheres has a dramatic effect on the night time visibility of lines and painted markings.

The recommended rate of application is 6 pounds per gallon of traffic paint. The beads are partially embedded by sprinkling them  ON TOP of wet paint or hot thermoplastic. They provide a sharp degree of reflectivity in wet or dry conditions. These are the same beads you will see at night on interstate highway lines. The glass beads can also be used in a variety of other applications where reflectivity is desired. Whenever they are distributed on top of wet paint the surface becomes reflective. They have beome very popular in craft type applications.

ADA Parking Lot Striping Requirements & Guidelines – Part 2

vanlift

ADA Design Guide 1 – Restriping Parking Lots

Accessible Parking Spaces

When a business, State or local government agency, or other covered entity restripes a parking lot, it must provide accessible parking spaces as required by the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Failure to do so would violate the ADA.

In addition, businesses or privately owned facilities that provide goods or services to the public have a continuing ADA obligation to remove barriers to access in existing parking lots when it is readily achievable to do so. Because restriping is relatively inexpensive, it is readily achievable in most cases.

This ADA Design Guide provides key information about how to create accessible car and van spaces and how many spaces to provide when parking lots are restriped.

Accessible Parking Spaces for Cars

Accessible parking spaces for cars have at least a 60-inch-wide access aisle located adjacent to the designated parking space. The access aisle is just wide enough to permit a person using a wheelchair to enter or exit the car. These parking spaces are identified with a sign and located on level ground.

Van-Accessible Parking Spaces

Van-accessible parking spaces are the same as accessible parking spaces for cars except for three features needed for vans:

a wider access aisle (96″) to accommodate a wheelchair lift;

vertical clearance to accommodate van height at the van parking space, the adjacent access aisle, and on the vehicular route to and from the van-accessible space, and

an additional sign that identifies the parking spaces as “van accessible.”

One of eight accessible parking spaces, but always at least one, must be van-accessible.

Features of Accessible Parking Spaces for Cars

Sign with the international symbol of accessibility mounted high enough so it can be seen while a vehicle is parked in the space.

If the accessible route is located in front of the space, install wheelstops to keep vehicles from reducing width below 36 inches.

Access aisle of at least 60-inch width must be level (1:50 maximum slope in all directions), be the same length as the adjacent parking space(s) it serves and must connect to an accessible route to the building. Ramps must not extend into the access aisle.

Boundary of the access aisle must be marked. The end may be a squared or curved shape.

Two parking spaces may share an access aisle.

Three Additional Features for Van-Accessible Parking Spaces

Sign with “van accessible” and the international symbol of accessibility mounted high enough so the sign can be seen when a vehicle is parked in the space

96″ min. width access aisle, level (max. slope 1:50 in all directions), located beside the van parking space

Min. 98-inch-high clearance at van parking space, access aisle, and on vehicular route to and from van space

Minimum Number of Accessible Parking Spaces

Table showing the minimum number of accessible parking spaces. Text following contains contents of the table.

Location

Accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route of travel to an accessible facility entrance. Where buildings have multiple accessible entrances with adjacent parking, the accessible parking spaces must be dispersed and located closest to the accessible entrances.

When accessible parking spaces are added in an existing parking lot, locate the spaces on the most level ground close to the accessible entrance. An accessible route must always be provided from the accessible parking to the accessible entrance. An accessible route never has curbs or stairs, must be at least 3- feet wide, and has a firm, stable, slip-resistant surface. The slope along the accessible route should not be greater than 1:12 in the direction of travel.

Accessible parking spaces may be clustered in one or more lots if equivalent or greater accessibility is provided in terms of distance from the accessible entrance, parking fees, and convenience. Van-accessible parking spaces located in parking garages may be clustered on one floor (to accommodate the 98-inch minimum vertical height requirement).

Free Technical Assistance

Answers to technical and general questions about restriping parking lots or other ADA requirements are available by telephone on weekdays. You may also order the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and other ADA publications, including regulations for private businesses or State and local governments, at any time day or night. Information about ADA-related IRS tax credits and deductions is also available from the ADA Information Line.

Department of Justice

ADA Information Line

800-514-0301 (voice)

800-514-0383 (tty)

Internet

You may also review or download information on the Department’s ADA Internet site at any time. The site provides access to ADA regulations, technical assistance materials, and general ADA information. It also provides links to other Federal agencies, and updates on new ADA requirements and enforcement efforts. Internet address:

www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

Reference:

ADA Standards for Accessible Design (28 CFR Part 36):

§ 4.1.6 Alterations;

§ 4.1.2 Accessible Sites and Exterior Facilities: New Construction, and

§ 4.1.6 Parking and Passenger Loading Zones.

Airlessco Sure Stripe Parking Lot Line Striper


Airlessco is Graco’s affordable line of paint / line stripers. The Airlessco Sure Stripe and Spray and Stripe model line stripers are quality commercial grade parking lot stripers. Like the Graco and Titan machines, they are easy to use and maintain while providing you with professional quality lines from the first day. As with all upper end stripers they pull paint directly from a 5 gallon bucket without the need for thinning in most cases.  As with all paints make sure to mix thoroughly.

The Airlessco stripers offer one of the highest performance to value ratios in a compact striper. This is especially true with the entry level lower priced Airlessco models. The Sure Stripe and Spray & Stripe models feature a heavy-duty, no maintenance gearbox and clutch, a solid state pressure sensor and a simple to clean, solvent resistant paint suction system. They also utilize swivel spray heads which may be set for the optimum angle when spraying curbs or overlapping applications.

An Airlessco Sure Stripe Machine (also known as Spray and Stripe machine) will run from $1,800 – $6,000 depending on the model that you purchase. These machines are more affordable than the Graco machines yet still provide a high quality line along with all the features you want in a parking lot striping machine.

For a self propelled parking lot striper you can purchase the optional “Ride & Stripe” unit which has a separate 5.5HP Honda engine (electric start).  This unit allows you to stripe large lots, roads or airports at a speed of about 10 miles per hour.  Operation is almost effortless.

The Airlessco Sure Stripe and Spray and Stripe Parking lot line striper has been a popular choice among professional stripers for many years and will certainly continue to be well into the future.  For reviews on the different Airlessco models go to cool-machines.com .

Kelly Creswell Air Atomized Parking Lot Paint Striper (Striping Machine Review)

Kelly Creswell / Cresswell Line Striper – Parking Lot Striping Machine Review

Kelly Creswell has been manufacturing striping machines since 1937 and are one of the most recognized names in the line striping business. They are one of the few manufacturers who manufacture both air atomized and airless machines.  Their machines are built very rugged and simple  and are difficult to wear out which is why you see so many still in use.  Much Like the Graco, Airlessco and Titan Line Stripers, the Kelly Creswell Stripers are easy to operate and maintain and provide you with professional quality lines from day one. Air Atomized stripers are different from airless ones in that they mix air with the paint much like an automobile paint spray gun. This makes the machine and spray pattern more forgiving but also makes the line a little less sharp than an airless line.

Probably the most rugged of all stripers, Kelly Creswell machines weigh in at upwards of 250 pounds. Their stripers are not light but will last you a lifetime. As previously mentioned they make air atomized and airless models and also carry push and self propelled models. The airless machines draw from your 5 gallon bucket and spray a line directly on the ground via a spray gun.  The air atomized machines use a 7 gallon pressure tank that utilizes air pressure to force paint out of the tank and mixes it with air.  The air paint mix then sprays out of a gun onto the ground.

The Kelly Creswell stripers are designed for the striper who wants a tried and true rugged striper that will continue striping in all conditions. The Kelly Creswell line stripers are perfect for parking lot and sealcoat contractors, schools, and park departments.

Machine pricing as well as technical information can be obtained by calling the Kelly-Creswell Company, Inc. at (800) 372-9221

The Kelly Creswell parking lot striper has a very popular choice among professional stripers since 1937 and will no doubt continue to be popular well into the future.

Striping Cement and Concrete Surfaces in Factories, Warehouses and Parking Lots

From time to time you may  be called upon to stripe cement warehouse or factory floors or cement parking lots.  Inside warehouses, regulatory agencies require that floors be marked for safety purposes. Striping cement floors is always a challenge for a few reasons.  These reasons are: slick cement, curing compounds, grease and dirt.  The good news is that with a little preparation, these issues can be offset.  The first thing you want to do is test the surface.

Water Test – To see if the concrete surface you need to stripe is ready for paint or thermoplastic you can use this basic test.  Take one tablespoon of water and apply it to the floor.  If the water it soaks in in just a few second then your floor is porous enough to accept a coating.  If it sits there for several minutes then paint or thermoplastic will not perform well since it cannot grab the surface or soak in.  Keep in mind that if water can’t soak in then the paint will not either.

Problems –

First, warehouse and factory floors are generally smooth much like your garage or house foundation floor.  The finishing process that is used to smooth the cement to a slick finish closes the pores in the cement and prevents moisture from soaking into the floor like it would on say a driveway or other rougher cement surface.  The problem that this creates for striping is that the paint has little to grab and subsequently will begin to flake or chip off.  This problem is accelerated by forklift and equipment traffic.

Second, when cement is poured a curing compound is often used to help the concrete hold in moisture so that it cures slow and  gains proper strength.  This compound is present on the surface of the foundation and remains indefinitely.  The curing compound can prevent paint or thermoplastic from adhering to the surface.

Third, over time cement becomes dirty and greasy.  These types of surfaces tend to not hold paint well.

Solutions –

The problem of slick cement or curing compounds can be overcome via the use of a concrete grinder or scarifier.  These machines take off from 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch of cement.  This removes the top layer of the cement that would have the most curing compound in it and also roughs up the surface so that paint can grab it.  Running a grinder or scarifier over the areas where you want lines will increase paint and thermoplastic adhesion substantially.  After you scarify a strip for painting you can try the water test again.  At this point the water should soak in to the cement more quickly than before.

Dirty and greasy cement can be cleaned using a degreasing compound and a pressure washer.  You can also use a degreaser, a scrubber and a water hose.  Once the surface is clean just let it dry for a few days and then apply your paint.

How to Remove Traffic or Parking Lot Striping Lines

Certain jobs will involve removing existing lines on asphalt or cement parking lots or roads. There are two methods for doing this. One is the cover up method and the other is the removal method.

Covering up stripes simply involves matching some paint to the color of the surrounding asphalt or cement and then spraying the stripe. A couple of coats will assure that the stripes stay invisible for longer.

The second method involves completely removing the line. This is done with a grinder or scarifier. These machines simply grind the stripe down to the original asphalt or cement. They are adjustable so you can keep from going too deep into the surface. The video below shows one being used. We also have additional information on these machines at infozing.com/concrete .

How to Estimate Price Bid and Sealcoating Job

Pricing a sealcoating job is a simple process of multiplying the square footage in the lot by a price per square foot.  This price per square foot will range from .12 cents to .20 cents depending on a few factors.

The first factor is your market.  If it is very competitive that will push the price per square foot down.  If there is very little competition the price will go up.

Second, the condition of the lot affects the price.  A nice smooth, clean lot would be less per square foot.  A dirty, sandy, rough lot would be more.

Third, is the amount and quality of the sealcoat you give a customer.  If you just do a single coat with very little sand you should charge less.  If you do two full coats with lots of sand bound into the mix you should charge more.  The second way will outlast the first by at least double.

Fourth, if your price includes striping the lot you would charge more.  If you break that out or if someone else stripes it you would charge less.

Fifth, the size of the lot will affect the price as well.  Small lots are charged a premium and small lots get a volume discount.

How you put it down is not relevant.  It is better for you to have efficient equipment and this will help you to make much more per hour of your time but it should not change the customers price.

Here is how I would price a job.

Lot size – 100 x 200 = 20,000 square feet

Lot Type – Clean lot.  No sand. Easy to close off lot.  No cars.

Job Type – 2 full coats.  Both with sand and some latex additive.  Striping included in  price.

20,000 x .17 = 3,400

Parking Lot Striping / Sealcoating Business Profits / Profit / Income Potential

A lot of people want to know how much money they can make striping and sealcoating parking lots.  This is a good question and a smart one to ask because it is important to know what your earning potential will be before you invest a lot of time and money setting up a business.  While there is not way to give an exact figure, it is possible to show you a typical scenario based on our experience.  Also, keep in mind that striping and sealcoating profits depend on what part of the country you are in and how many months out of the year you can work.   Here is a typical scenario.

First, it is going to take some time to get your marketing plan into action.   If you are in a good area with lots of parking lots and you are actively identifying  jobs and sending out letters you can expect to get at least one call a week  after a month or so of marketing and 2-3 calls a week after a few months. These will be calls asking for a quote on a parking lot job.  Some will be for striping select areas, some will be for small to medium striping jobs, some will be for large striping jobs, some will be for pothole repair, some will be sealcoat/stripe jobs and so on.  The more you go out the more calls you will get.  After being in business a while you can expect the number of calls to increase just via word of mouth and repeat customers.   Make sure to read our article on marketing your sealcoating / striping business.

Lets say you put out bids on two jobs a week and the average total for those two jobs is $1,800.  (some weeks you may do a 10 space lot and some weeks you may do a 10,000 sq ft sealcoat/stripe job)  Over a period of 52 weeks that would be $93,600 in jobs bid.  You will normally get about 90% of the jobs you bid since for most jobs you are the only bidder.  That is a total of $84,240 per year in revenue.  Your margins on striping are about 90% and they are about 80% on sealcoating.  To be conservative lets take 80% of the entire revenue number.  That would be about $67,000 per year.   Keep in mind that this is with you only doing a couple of jobs a week or one big job.  Some large striping jobs run $6,000 and some sealcoating jobs run over $10,000 so it is easy to see how the average can climb very high.

Lets look at it another way.    You will make about $50 per hour for your time striping or sealcoating.  That is an average for the industry.  This would be time on the lot actually working.  If you are successful at marketing you can keep jobs lined up to where you can work  6 hours each day on a lot.  If you only work Monday – Friday that is 30 hours per week times $50 which is $1500 per week times 52 equals $78,000.  You can make more than this but it would involve having multiple crews out.  Here is how that would work.

Lets say you have two crews of two men per crew out working 30 hours each on a lot.  Each man would theoretically be pulling in $50 per hour profit for you.  However, workers are often not as efficient as you would be so lets say they bring in $40 per hour.  That is $80 per hour per crew or $160 per hour for the two crews.    If you pay each person in the crew $15 per hour then your payroll for the week would be $2400. (note that this is $15 time a 40 hour week x 4 to account for 2 hours of set up each day)  Your profit from the crews work would be $4800 less the $2400 your paid them for a total of $2400 per week.  This times 52 is $124,800.  Now keep in mind that this does not include you working.  If you added your labor on the lot the total would be $78,000 plus $124,800 or $202,800.

This is an optimum scenario and probably leans towards the liberal side but it gives you an idea of how much you can make and how to make more than if you just worked yourself.

Titan Speeflow Powrliner 1800 (Speedflow Powerliner) Parking Lot Striper Review

The Titan Speeflow Powrliner 1800 (Powerliner) is an upgrade from the very popular model 800.  The 1800 is more powerful and better suited for commercial work.  It is a great entry level basic line striper and is great for spraying quality lines on medium sized parking lots and  on grass or turf. It weighs 120 pounds which is almost double the weight of the model 800 which weighs 65 lbs.  Most of this extra weight is in the engine and pump system both of which are more powerful than the 800. The model 1800 is powered by a dependable  4.3 horsepower motor.   The Speeflow Powrliner 1800 is equipped with an LX-40 spray tip that is reversible and attached to the machine via a 50 foot spray hose. This allows the user to detach the spray gun to spray stencils, car stops, and curbing. This commercial level Titan machine is designed to carry a 5 gallon bucket and still be easy to maneuver. It features an adjustable swivel front wheel which enables you to do straight and curved stripes.  The wheel will lock at any position for smooth curves.  The Titan Speeflow Powrliner (speedflow powerliner) 1800 runs around $2,500 retail making it a very affordable commercial quality machine.  Asphalt Kingdom is a great place to purchase these machines.

The pros of this machine are that it is affordable and does a good job of laying down stripes in parking lot and field applications.  Also, it will pull paint straight from a bucket.   The cons are that the machine is not one that a novice could work on themselves like the Trueline machines by Trusco Mfg.

  • This Titan PowrLiner has a unique modular frame design that allows you to move the handle to the front to create a rear wheel caster configuration for specific job requirements.
  • 4.3 HP Gasoline engine● 0.50 GPM paint pumping rate ● 3300 PSI ● .023″ Max Tip Size
  • Simple, compact design weighs only 128 lbs –
  • Powered by a dependable, easy start 4.3 HP Robin-Subaru Overhead CAM engine
  • Equipped with LX-40 spray gun and SC-6 Reversible Striping Tip with ¼”ID x 50′ anti-static spray hose
  • Spray gun can be mounted on right or left side of unit which is a great feature when dealing with car stops.
  • Designed to carry 5-gallon pail of paint and maintain is maneuverability.
  • Adjustable front tire can be locked at any angle for consistent curve striping.

To see more of our parking lot striper review articles CLICK HERE.


Asphalt Kingdom AK110 220 470 Gallon Sealcoating Spray Machine – Review

The Asphalt Kingdom AK110 220 and 470 gallon sealcoating machines are the big brothers to the AK2200 line. They are built using custom heavy duty steel tanks and Asphalt Kingdoms tried and true sealcoating pump, spray and agitate system.  The pump is powered by a 6.5 HP Intek-Pro series engine that comes standard with an automatic oil shutdown protection which is a must for long running engines. The pump system is cast iron and easy to service. Replacement parts including impellers are readily available.  Keeping spare parts on hand can reduce downtime. The spray wand is attached to the machine via a 75 foot hose giving you the ability to sealcoat a 20,000 square foot area without moving the equipment.

Here are some additional specs on the machine.

  • Steel tank, black paint. End caps are 10 gauge and the tank shell is 14 gauge. Welded and extremely rugged.
  • 6.5 Horsepower Intek-Pro series engine. 1 year manufacturers warranty.
  • 2″ Cast Iron centrifugal seal pump with durable Viton Seals, 45 psi output at 225 gpm with a  year manufacturers warranty.
  • Unique and simple agitation and Recirculation System that circulates at 225 Gallons Per Minute. A control valve is used to fluctuate the re-circulation speed so you are guaranteed to have mixed sealer that is ready to be applied in just minutes. Also, the continuous flow returning to tank prevents pump seal problems when the spray gun is shut-off since the material has somewhere to go and does not build up pressure.
  • 75 feet of high quality hose with wand.
  • Spray gun with ball-valve operation, 5 interchangeable quick connect sealer spray tips so that you can match the job site that your on.
  • Extremely simple to operate. Two valves that allow you to either spray the sealcoating material or recirculate.
  • Compatible with coal tar, acrylic and latex sealcoating material.  Asphalt kingdom can provide the material.

Here are the dimensions of each model.
110 Gallon Tank Dimensions: 30″W X 36″L.
220 Gallon Tank Dimensions: 39″W X 49″L.
470 Gallon Tank Dimensions: 49″W X 60″L.

Sealcoating Spray System – Asphalt Kingdom AK2200-B (55 Gallon Drum) Review

The Asphalt Kingdom AK2200-B 55 gallon drum system is very similar to the AK2200-T system.  The only difference is the holding tank type and capacity.  The smaller 55 gallon drum unit is sufficient to sealcoat 5500 square feet of asphalt whereas the larger model will do 27,500.  The main advantage of the smaller machine is portability and a slightly lower purchase price. Also, a metal drum is very strong and not prone to leaking.  Because of the flexibility of these systems you would always have the option of upgrading to a larger tank or purchasing additional 55 gallon drums.

The machine comes with the drum, pump and spray wand. One question people ask is whether the machine will pump sand.  It will.  Pumping sand will shorten the impeller life but parts can be easily replaced and having sand mixed in with the sealcoat is an important way to increase safety and reduce your liability.

Here is what I like about the smaller rig. Lets say you go to a job and you have three 55 gallon drums full of sealcoat.  You knock out that job and get another next door and are getting low on sealcoat.  Since you have three drums your helper could take two and get them filled while you sealcoat with the last drum.  Changing drums is just a matter of switching the lid.

Basically, this model is for small jobs.  If portability is not an issue and you expect to sealcoat larger driveways or parking lots then I would recommend the AK2200-T model.

The 55 gallon AK2200-B runs about $1,550 and is often advertised at Asphalt Kingdom with free shipping which is great.  I highly recommend Asphalt Kingdom.  They have a broad variety of very reasonably priced equipment and give good service.  Their equipment is simple yet very rugged.  Simplicity is key when it comes to keeping your equipment up because downtime means no revenue.




Sealcoating Spray System – Asphalt Kingdom AK2200-T (Poly Tank) Review

The AK2200-T Sealcoating Spray System comes with a 275 gallon caged poly tank and a heavy duty pump that agitates the tank and sprays the material. The spray wand is also included so that all you need to do is add sealcoat and you are ready to start making money. This 275 gallon tank system is ideal for small sealcoating companies and for parking lot owners and property managers. The coverage per tank is about 27,500 square feet per tank which is the size of a nice size parking lot. Because this is a spray system it is able to complete jobs quickly. This simple machine can sealcoat about 600 square feet every 15 minutes. At 20 cents a square foot that is roughly $120 per 15 minutes or $480 per hour.

The 275 gallon AK2200-T or ASD275 machine will run you from $1,200 – $2000 depending upon where you purchase it. Some companies offer free shipping. Also, make sure to purchase from a company that will provide you with support after the sale.  Here are some of the specifications for this machine.

  • Unit Weight – 210 lbs (empty)
  • Unit Dimensions – 48” W, 48” L, 52” H
  • Material Compatibility – coal tar, asphalt emulsion, acrylic and latex sealer.
  • Power – 5.5 to 6.5 HP Briggs engine with 2” centrifugal seal coating pump.
  • Spray Tips.
  • 50 feet of sealer hose with sealer spray wand.

One question people often have about these machines is whether it will pump sand.  The answer is yes.  The machine will pump and spray sand.  Keep in mind that when spraying any abrasive through a pump, the life of the pump impeller will be shortened.  However, the replacement parts are readily available and easily replaced.  No matter which machine you purchase, impeller replacement will always be part of your general machine maintenance.

Sand is important because a parking lot that is sealcoated without sand will be slippery when wet and people will slip and fall.

The AK2200-T has another feature that is really practical.  That is its agitation method.  Most machines use a mechanical system which work well but have moving parts.  The Asphalt Kingdom machine uses the pump for agitation.  An entire tank of sealcoat can be mixed in just minutes using this method.

The video below shows the machine in use.  There is no denying that this simple machine does the job.  The AK2200-T costs much less than competitive machines but seems to deliver the performance needed to do the job, make the customer happy and get you paid.

Graco Thermolazer Thermoplastic Line Lazer/Laser Review

The Graco Thermolaser/Thermolazer Thermoplastic Line Laser is one of the newest thermoplastic line stripers on the market. This machine is Graco’s entry into this market and they have tried to create a machine that is user friendly like their Line Lazer paint stripers. Graco is a leader in paint spraying machines but has no prior track record in thermoplastic. The engineers at Graco have applied their expertise in paint stripers to the new Thermolazer. The machine performs well and looks good. Only time will tell if Graco’s expertise in paint stripers is going to carry over into the of thermoplastic striping world. Here are some features of the new thermolazers :

* ControlFlow System – Precise control of the molten material via a squeeze lever.
* Split Reflective Glass Bead System – Split glass bead hopper holds over 90 lbs of spheres. System allows fast line width changes without the need for tools.
* Spring Guard Protection System – Extends spring life plus no tools are necessary for removal and installation.
* Easy Glide Tire System – First thermoplastic line striper with dual rear wheels and Fat Track Front Swivel for smooth LineLazer-like handling.
* Infrared Die Heating System – keeps die ready for use (no flame)
* High Capacity Hopper System – 20-50% larger material hopper for fewer refills. 300 pound capacity.
* Smooth Ride Pneumatic Tires – Air filled, high load tires provide great maneuverability and less resistance.
* Optional Double Bead Distribution System Kit available. Easily installed.
* Electronic Ignition System – just push a button to start the main heating unit.

The swivel wheel is in the front on the Thermolazer which some stripers find a bit cumbersome. Other thermoplastic stripers have the wheel in the back which makes maneuvering easier since the operator is in the back as well.

A Graco ThermoLazer / Laser will run from $11,000 – $14,500. This is about double the price of comparable thermoplastic handliners so you should shop around and determine what you are getting for your investment before making a decision. We have some links below to reviews on comparable thermoplastic stripers that you can use to compare features and prices. When comparing machines make sure to check the total weight. The lighter the machine, the easier it will be to handle. Also, the Graco Thermo Lazer uses the swivel front wheel which works well on their paint stripers. However, many thermoplastic machine manufacturers have placed their wheel in the back. There is going to be a difference in performance because of the wheel position and the weight of a fully loaded machine. You should try both types of machines to see which is the easiest to manuever.

If you want a self propelled parking lot striper you can add the “Line Driver” to your unit. This unit lets you ride and stripe. Self propelled units are generally only used for large parking lots or roads. Most stripers prefer the push type for simplicity and precision.

The Graco Parking lot striper has been a popular choice among professional stripers for decades and will certainly continue to be well into the future.

Here is a great video demonstrating the Thermo Line Lazer. It shows the machine in action and also shows you how to make symbols with this amazing machine.

Neal Manufacturing ESSP 550 750 Sealcoating Machine Review

Neal Manufacturing has been a leader in the sealcoating equipment industry for over 30 years. They manufacture the industries toughest and most powerful sealcoating systems. They produce both the spray systems and the ride on spray/squeegee systems. Neal Manufacturing systems are manufactured using only the highest quality and longest lasting components. Also, they use components that are easy to service so that when maintenance is necessary it is as easy as possible. Their goal is to create high production machines that stay on the job and not in the shop.

The ESSP 550 or 750 Sealcoating Spray Rigs include a 550 gallon or 750 gallon tank and a high powered spray system. They spray sealcoat along with sand which is important for safety and liability reasons. The tank and sprayer come on a rugged dual axle trailer for safe delivery to and from the site. These highly maneuverable ESSP 550 and 750 Trailers are ideal for driveways to medium sized parking lots. The optional distributor bar and second hand wand transform the ESSP systems into ultra high volume sealcoating machines for enhanced efficiency and higher production.

ESSP Trailer Sealcoating Machine Features

550 or 750 gallon sealcoat material capacity
ESSP 100 Gallon Per Minute Pump
2.5 gallon material filter for extended spray periods
16 HP Gas Briggs and Stratton Vanguard© twin cylinder engines
Price Range – $15,000 +

The video below shows the Neal Machine and is also a great instructional video. (produced by Neal Manufacturing)


Beeliner Paint Striper Model 400 600 700

The Beeliner Line Striper is an easy to use and very affordable parking lot striper. It would be an alternative to the more expensive gasoline powered paint stripers. Unlike the Graco, Kelly Creswell, Airlessco and other gasoline machines they are easy to maintain yourself and would never need to be taken to a shop for repair. The Beeliner striping machine utilizes a stainless steel pressure tank where paint that has been thinned is pressurized and fed into a paint box that slides along the pavement or turf. The box allows for a nice clean line even in windy conditions. The Model 400 is a hand pump only machine and the two more expensive models can be pressurized via a hand pump or an auxiliary pressure tank. See details below.

Beeliner Model 400 Features:

* 3 gallon Stainless Steel Paint Tank with manually pressurized Hand Pump, dispenses paint with 20-25 lbs. of pressure
* 3/4″ Steel Frame has 7″ solid wheels

Beeliner Model 600 Features:

* 3 gallon Stainless Steel Paint Tank with built-in Auxiliary Hand Pump for times when your main tank runs out of pressure.
* 5 gallon Air Tank. Will empty the 3 gallon Paint Tank 3 times before refilling * 3/4″ Steel Frame.
* 10″ Pneumatic rear Tires and the 8″ front wheels make it easier to maneuver over rougher asphalt, cement or turf

Beeliner Model 700 Features:

* 7 gallon Stainless Steel Paint Tank with Auxiliary Hand pump which comes in handy if you run out of compressed air. Tank lifts off for easy cleaning
* 7 gallon Air Tank, 100 PSI
* 3/4″ Steel Frame

All Beeliner models have a full floating spray head that can be flipped over for left or right hand striping. Also, each model comes with a 4″ striping box or shoe. (2″ and 6″ shoes are available)

The Beeliner stripers have been around since 1963 and are good, simple to use machines for small to medium sized parking lots. The Beeliner is capable of doing commercial work but lack some of the features that commerical jobs often require such as a hand sprayer. If you are mainly putting lines down on the ground they will do a fine job. If you are looking to do larger commercial jobs you may want to look into the Trusco Mfg – Trueline Machines. They are similar to the Beeliners but are geared more towards commercial striping. We have a review for the Trusco Machines at the link to the right. Overall , the Beeliner is a simple easy to use machine and would be a fine primary or backup striper for a small striping company.