Reducing Environmental Impact: Water-Based vs Solvent-Based Line Marking Solutions

Reducing Environmental Impact: Water-Based vs Solvent-Based Line Marking Solutions

With my many years of experience in line marking in Western Australia, I have had plenty of conversations about water-based and solvent-based options.

As the owner of Delination Line Marking, I have seen for myself how these competing applications perform in our harsh Australian climate, from busy warehouses to exposed car parks.

My Experience with Both Systems

Working on various projects, from the Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park to industrial sites like the CBH Grain Terminal, I have gained practical insights into how these different marking solutions perform. Allow me to share what I have learned from their real-world applications.

Water-Based Line Marking: The Facts

More and more clients have been asking about the water-based options in my work across Perth Metro and surrounding areas. Based on my own experience, here is what you need to know:

Water-based paints have many advantages:

• They dry quickly in our warm climate
• They give off a lesser amount of strong smell during application
• Cleanup is easy
• They are generally not as hazardous for handling

I remember a recent project in a busy warehouse where the client had to keep disruption to a minimum. The water-based paint dried quickly. This meant that we could finish by section and get them back to use far quicker than our traditional methods would have allowed.

Solvent-Based Solutions: Still Relevant?

I’ve seen firsthand across roads and industrial sites all over Western Australia that solvent-based solutions most definitely still have their place. When we were working on the Reject Shop Warehouse in Hazelmere, many factors influenced the final solution chosen.

My observations about solvent-based markings are therefore:

• They give excellent durability most of the time.
• They perform well under extreme weather.
• They offer better adhesion on some surfaces.
• They typically last longer in high-traffic areas.

Making The Right Choice

In my experience, picking between a water-based and solvent-based solution can be somehow complicated. Let me share a story from a recent project in a car park that gives a case in point.

We were working on the Craigie Baptist Church car park. The client was looking for the option that would have the most durability while being a greener alternative. We looked at several factors:

• Local weather patterns
• Traffic volume
• Surface type
• Environmental requirements
• Budget restraints

Performance in Different Conditions

My work history across Perth, Mandurah, Rockingham, and Bunbury taught me that different weather conditions do affect both types of line marking. The high Western Australian sun, sudden heavy rains, and variable temperatures all influence the performance of line marking solutions.

Over the years, I have seen improvements in water-based paints. In an application we completed recently for a shared path at McCallum Park, we used water-based products that performed extremely well even with general foot and bicycle traffic.

Cost Analysis

My past experiences managing projects of all shapes and sizes have taught me that the upfront cost is not the only consideration. Here’s what I tell my clients:

• Factor in application time
• Evaluate maintenance needs
• Consider how often reapplication will be required
• Determine cleanup costs

Real-Life Applications

Let me share some insights from my recent projects. Bunnings Warehouse in Halls Head needed us to mark their trade section and goods inwards area. The choice for either water-based or solvent-based solutions was dependent on:

• Heavy vehicle traffic
• Exposure to weather
• Turnaround time requirements
• Environmental considerations

Environmental Benefits

Working with different industrial and commercial clients, I have seen an increasing interest in environmental impact. Water-based products offer the following:

• Lower VOC emissions
• Less environmental impact
• Safer application conditions
• Easier disposal options

Making An Informed Choice

Here’s a standard checklist I suggest considering from all my years in the industry and my membership in the Road Marking Industry Association of Australia:

1. Define your specific requirements.
2. Consider your local climate.
3. Think about your utilization patterns.
4. Consider your maintenance requirements.
5. Review environmental policies.

Anticipating Long-Term Results

From my perspective, marking everything from industrial sites to church car parks has taught me that matching the right solution to each particular situation is crucial. Some of my clients from way back, like Juno Ng and Adam, would still comment on how good their line markings have stood over the years.

Practical Advice

When choosing between water-based and solvent-based solutions, always do a pilot test to check performance on a small area. We did the same to the Talloman Warehouse in Hazelmere and it helped us make smarter decisions for the bigger project.

Remember, every site has its unique challenges. A solution that works perfectly in one case, might not work efficiently for others. The important thing is that you work with someone who understands the differences and knows the right solution for your project.