Curb paints

At the heart of the curbstone is high-quality concrete, the key property of which is excellent strength. Both borders and curbs are painted with paint. In addition to their main purpose, they are often used as decoration elements. But this is not the only purpose of paint for curbs, because with the help of staining with it, you can further increase the strength of the curb stone.

If we take a closer look at the main features of painting with curb paints, the following aspects can be distinguished.

• Usually borders and curbs are painted in black, white or in contrasting shades.
• White paint is the most commonly used paint as road barriers and markings must be clearly visible to drivers.
• Colored dyes are used to decorate stones, most often in private areas.
• The paint transfers its properties to the curbstone. Among its main qualities: resistance to shock, water and salt, lightfastness, resistance to chemicals.
• The curb paint should be applied in two coats, usually using a brush, roller or spray.

There are different types of curb paints, each of which meets specific requirements. It should be noted that for drawing on curbs, you can use the now popular water-based paint, however, you should pay attention to the description of the material, because not all types of "water emulsion" are suitable for coloring in certain conditions: for example, some of these paints have low frost resistance.

Weatherproof acrylic paint is easy to apply and dries quickly (average drying time is about an hour), provides a matte finish. It is resistant to UV rays and natural weather. Alkalis, salts and fuels and lubricants do not affect it. When applying, you can use any convenient tools.

To achieve a suitable viscosity, the paint must be thinned with water. When using, it is worth choosing solvents such as acetone, solvent or butyl acetate. It is best to work with it at temperatures from -5 to +40 degrees Celsius. The range of use of weather-resistant acrylic paint is very wide:

• coloring curbs and curbs, highlighting a pedestrian curb;
• creation of road marking strips on highways;
• decorating private areas: for example, in the courtyard of a residential building.

The high cost of this group of paints is justified by the good composition and many advantages. They not only do an excellent job when combined with other paints, but also have high strength, porosity and resistance to water.

Lime paint can be purchased in two forms: both ready-made and pasty, which must be diluted at the rate of 16 liters of water per 25 kilograms of composition, constantly stirring the mixture during dyeing. As a rule, it is applied in white. The peculiarities of the paint are antiseptic properties, as well as its vapor permeability. A significant disadvantage of slaked lime is its low resistance to atmospheric and natural phenomena, due to which it is necessary to frequently renew the coating.

For the same reason, this coloration is considered seasonal. Drying takes place within two hours, while before applying lime, you need to clean and dry the surface, the painting of which is carried out at a temperature of at least 5 degrees Celsius.

The materials are applied in two layers on both old and new surfaces: the paint provides a deep matte finish. Drying time of the paint - 2 hours. Silicate paints are characterized by a durable coating and wear resistance, as well as resistance to natural phenomena, however, they also have a number of disadvantages.

• It is difficult to remove the old layer to apply a new one.
• The brightness of the material decreases over time.
• The cost of the paint is high.

Acrylate paints are used for both new and painted curb surfaces. The new layer of this dye has many advantages.

• Impact resistance.
• Water vapor permeability.
• Large selection of shades.
• Resistant to alkali and moisture.
• Temperature range for operation: from -60 to +50 degrees.

In order to paint outdoors, you need to choose the right material. Besides, so that the coating does not wash off, it is necessary to work during favorable weather conditions and properly prepare the surface for painting... The most popular dye for curb stones is acrylic, because it combines a reasonable price and indicators suitable for such staining. It is used for important sections of the track.

Moreover, it is used for decoration of the territory: the acrylic material holds firmly and provides color fastness. This dye represents a choice of bright colors, so you can get creative: the most common colors for functional dyeing are black and white, however, more intense shades are suitable for decoration. Recommended colors are yellow, red, blue and green. For a more attractive appearance, the surface can be coated with a varnish-and-paint material that will provide additional protection to the coating.

The least expensive option is lime paint. However, this method is also the most short-lived: staining lasts a very short time. Some people whitewash the curb with regular lime to save even more money. To get a different color of lime, it is diluted with a liquid, after which a color scheme is added to it. With all the cheapness of using lime staining, it is worth remembering that you will have to renew the staining very often: if a durable coating is required, it is better not to use lime.

Acrylate dyes are used, as a rule, in areas requiring decoration: these are public recreation or private areas. There is a wide range of colors, however, and the price of this paint is also quite high. Critical areas such as tracks are usually not painted with this material. Silicate and silicate ash paints have both the advantages and disadvantages described above. The main disadvantage of using this material is its high price.

It should be noted that border painting is often subject to government regulations. Road markings must comply with all the parameters of GOST, and for this reason, it is worth following all the rules regulated by the standards, if painting is a necessary, and not a voluntary action. For the rest, in order to paint the borders beautifully, you should adhere to simple rules.

In order to start painting, you need to prepare the necessary materials and tools. Airless spray is considered to be the most effective option for painting the curb: the material will not spread, dries quickly and will hold stronger. This is also the most economical option: paint consumption will be significantly reduced. However, the painting method depends on the amount of work. With a smaller volume, it is better to use a spray gun, and small painting can be done with the use of rollers and brushes, which should also be chosen correctly: it is better to use a round paneled brush, which is based on bristles and synthetic bristles.

It is advisable to choose brushes of different sizes. It is also better to purchase special paint trays in advance. In some cases, it is worth using a construction mixer, which will help to give the substance a state of a homogeneous mass, as well as a solvent for dyes. Care should also be taken to keep the paint away from exposed areas of the body, gloves and goggles to protect the eyes. Ideally, a respirator should be used when working with coloring materials.

It is worth calculating the paint consumption in advance. If we talk about average values, then one kilogram is enough on average for 40-50 standard curbs. It is recommended to paint the curbstone in two or three layers, therefore, the consumption in this case will increase significantly. For painting, you will also need a primer and putty: in order to evenly perform the work, the surface of the curb or curb must be flat. If there are irregularities, cracks or chips on it, these defects must be corrected.

It is also worthwhile to properly prepare the base for painting. To do this, you need to clean the surface from dirt and dust, as well as remove the layer of old paint, if the curbstone has already been painted before. This is followed by the filling process, which was mentioned above. The last stage of preparing the base for painting involves priming, while the composition used must be suitable for outdoor use. The primer should be applied with a roller, and after application, be sure to wait until it dries completely - it will take about a day. After that, you can proceed directly to staining.

The dye should be applied in two or three layers, while waiting for one layer to dry completely before painting the other. It is recommended to apply the composition in thin layers to prevent smudges and sagging.

For information on how to remove paint from roadside curbs, see the next video.