Shot Blasting, Surface Cleaning & Preparation
When it comes to creating long-lasting, hardwearing and highly visible floor markings – whether that’s in a car park or on a factory floor – the condition of your surfaces will play a big role. Simply put, the cleaner and more even your floors are, the better your finished product will be. We can clean and prepare your surface properly to make your next line or car parking marking project a success. We use the latest equipment and techniques to get rid of old or faded markings and ensure an even, clean and debris free surface on which to create your new lines.
We’ll visit your site to advise you on what is needed, make recommendations and develop a solution that’s tailored to your exact requirements. This will help enhance both the visual impact and the longevity of your new lines to maximise the return on your investment in our services.
Shot blasting
The quality of the surface that your new lines will be created on is essential. We can help you create the perfect surface to ensure your next line marking project is a success. If old markings or lines need to be removed, there are a variety of surface preparation technique that will help clean your flooring surface and get it ready for demarcation and other markings. And if you require a slip-resistant surface, then properly preparing the floor for marking will help achieve this and ensure your markings last for as long as possible.
Shot blasting is the main floor preparation technique we use before marking on a concrete surface. The process uses tiny abrasive stainless steel ball bearings to etch away the surface. An integral vacuum collects the debris as it is lifted from the surface to ensure a dust-free process suitable for food preparation environments. The finish created depends upon the existing floor. Shot blasting an older concrete floor will create a finish like coarse sandpaper, while newer floors will have a finer dimpling. However, both are ideal for the optimal bonding of new line markings.
We use a small handheld shot blaster for smaller spaces, which helps us get closer to walls and other features to prepare the entire area for marking.
If you have old markings on tarmac or other surfaces, we use different techniques to prepare the surface for marking new lines. If you’re unsure what you need, book a site visit, and we’ll have a look and recommend the right solution.
Surface cleaning
Having clear and consistent factory floor markings is key to ensuring staff and visitor safety. HSE requirements state that potentially hazardous areas should be clearly marked so employees are safe and understand their working environment.
Yellow lines are usually laid in factories because they are highly visible and can be easily followed. To enhance their visibility and ensure they are long-lasting and don’t fade or wear over time, getting your surface clean before marking your lines is essential.
If you have pre-existing lines that need a refresh, we offer a shot blasting service that removes the old lines and treats the concrete ready for your new markings to be laid. This creates a better grip to help increase the longevity of your markings for longer service life. We understand the requirements for factory floor safety marking standards and will deliver clearly set out boundaries and walkways.
We can conduct site visits to assess your needs, recommend your cleaning and preparation requirements and advise on the markings required.
Surface preparation
The durability of your new markings is only as good as the surface they are laid on. If you try to over-mark on existing lines, they will not last as long as they would on a properly prepared surface. In the long run, this can cost you time and money as you will need to have your floors remarked more frequently. In busy environments, such as factories and warehouses where heavy-duty equipment or vehicles such as forklift trucks are used, it’s vital to prepare the surfaces properly to ensure the new markings last as long as possible.
Thankfully, previously painted or lined areas can be cleaned in preparation for new lines and painted areas to be marked. Preparing your indoor floors and outdoor surfaces properly will help increase the lifespan of your markings compared to those on surfaces that haven’t been prepared. We use our expertise to advise you on which floor and surface preparation is the best to suit your needs.
