Permanent vs Temporary Line Marking Paint

Line marking paint surrounds you. You see it every time you drive down the road, visit a parking lot, or wander through a warehouse. Fields and courts are marked with paint too. But not all paint is created equally. 

Some paint lasts for years while other paint is designed to disappear in weeks. Using the wrong type can waste your time and budget. So how do you select the right line marking paint for your project?

In this article, we review the differences between permanent and temporary line marking paint. By the time you finish reading, you will have a solid understanding of which type you need to use.

What Is Temporary Line Marking Paint? 

Temporary line marking paint is designed for short-term applications. It will generally last from several days up to several months. Once it’s had its time it will either fade over time or be removed with water pressure or a brush.

Construction sites, outdoor venues, and areas where roads are undergoing maintenance use temporary paint often. It’s ideal for workers who need to divert traffic, mark off work zones, or lay out plans before permanent paint is applied.

Temporary paint is often used for: 

• Roadwork and resurfacing projects 
• Parking restrictions 
• Demarcating construction zones 
• Laying out sports field lines before a game
• Painting storage areas that will change 
• Routing foot traffic at outdoor events 
• Utility companies also use temporary paint when marking before digging.

The paint can be made of either water or chalk. It applies easily and quickly dries. Most temporary paints dry in 10-30 minutes. There are even aerosol options available that can be applied upside-down. This makes the paint a breeze to apply to grassy areas and other rough surfaces.

Should you need to move or adjust your layout, temporary paint offers flexibility. You aren’t stuck with paint markings that are difficult to remove. A pressure washer can restore most surfaces to their original state by removing the temporary paint.

Cost is another reason to choose temporary paint. An aerosol can of temporary marking paint is inexpensive and easy to find. For small projects or jobs with tight deadlines, it can be difficult to beat.

What Is Permanent Line Marking Paint? 

Permanent line marking paint is designed to last. It’s typically made with heavier materials that cling to the application surface and can handle traffic, inclement weather, and wear. Permanent paint can last from one year all the way up to 5+ years.

You’ll find permanent paint on roads, highways, warehouses, parking lots, playgrounds, and sports courts. Anywhere that requires long-lasting lines, permanent paint should be your first choice.

Some popular options for permanent marking paint include:

• Thermoplastic: This paint is melted and applied while hot. It’s one of the more durable options for roads and highways.
• Epoxy and polyurethane paints/coatings: Both epoxy and polyurethane paints are great options for indoor surfaces. They work exceptionally well on warehouse floors and factory floors where you’ll see chemical spills, forklift traffic, and lots of foot traffic.
• MMA resin paint: This paint is ideal for industrial areas. It sticks quickly and can handle abuse. 
• Traffic paint-grade paint: This is a less expensive permanent paint option for areas with less heavy traffic such as parking lots and playgrounds.

The trade-off for permanent paint is that it takes more work to apply. Not only do you need to clean and dry the area, but many surfaces need to be primed as well. This prep-work is what makes the paint stick and last for years.

Speaking of lasting, removing permanent paint is much more difficult. Temporary marks can be power washed or scraped away. But permanent marks will need to be ground, sandblasted, or stripped with chemicals.

How Do You Choose the Right Type? 

So how do you choose which type of paint you need? Let’s review… 

How long do you want the paint to last? Will you need to change layouts? If you answered “just a few weeks” or “we may need to change the layout” then temporary paint is the way to go. It’s cheap and allows you to make adjustments.

However, if you need paint that will last years and the layout won’t change, go with permanent paint. The initial investment is worth it because you won’t have to reapply new paint every few months.

Will the painted lines receive high volumes of traffic? High traffic will dissipate temporary paint much faster than you think. Heavy warehouse aisles and traffic lanes will quickly strip aerosol paint off the road.

What kinds of weather will the paint have to endure? If you’re using temporary paint outdoors, rain and sunlight can fade the paint faster than normal. If you need the paint to last through an entire season of rain/snow and hot sun, look for temporary paint that has high weather resistance ratings.

Can You Use Both Temporary and Permanent Paint?

Of course! In fact, many projects use both types of paint. Temporary markings can be used to map out where you want your permanent paint lines to be. This allows you to double check layout/measurements before you apply the permanent paint.

Using both temporary and permanent paint is a common practice when painting warehouse floors and new parking lots. Temporary paint allows you to avoid making costly mistakes. Make a mistake with temporary paint? No problem. Paint over it with permanent paint. 

Case Study: Temporary & Permanent Line Marking Paint Used Together on a Warehouse Upgrade

The UK-based warehouse expanded its operations and needed to redesign traffic routes, pedestrian walkways, and storage areas.

New lanes were needed for forklifts, safety exclusion zones, and loading areas had to be clearly defined.

The project had to be completed without stopping warehouse operations.

The key consideration was to not make expensive mistakes. It’s costly to remove permanent warehouse floor markings if they are positioned incorrectly.

The contractor applied temporary warehouse floor markings so that warehouse managers and forklift drivers could walk the route and identify any potential issues.

Once the layout was perfected, permanent floor markings were applied. Heavy duty floor marking paint marked pedestrian areas and separated them from forklift traffic lanes.

The upgrade resulted in a safer and more efficient working environment without the need for costly do-overs.

Why do professional line marking contractors use temporary and permanent line marking paint?

You might be wondering why line marking contractors don’t just skip the temporary stage and apply permanent paint from the start. Temporarily painting over lines gives contractors the opportunity to verify their measurements and ensure they won’t cause any disruptions to traffic flow.

Graco has a great set of customer examples that explain how professional marking machines help contractors work more efficiently on large marking jobs.

https://www.graco.com/gb/en/contractor/solutions/articles/winter-markiertechnik-and-graco-make-german-industries-safer.html 

Permanent vs Temporary Line Marking Paint FAQs 

How long does temporary line marking paint last?

Permanent paint can last from a couple of days to several months. Factors such as product type, weather conditions, and application surface will dictate how long your paint lasts. Temporary markings are designed to fade over time or be removed easily.

What is the difference between temporary and permanent paint?

Permanent paint is much more durable. It’s made to withstand vehicle traffic, UV sunlight, and wear & tear. Temporary paint is meant to be easily removed.

Can I use temporary line marking paint on roads?

Yes, you can use temporary paint on roads. Contractors frequently use temporary road markings when performing roadworks or traffic management. It allows them to safely redirect traffic while the road is still usable.

What is the longest lasting permanent line marking paint?

Thermoplastic road marking paint is one of the longest-lasting paint options. It works great on highways and roads that receive heavy vehicle traffic. For indoor areas, epoxy or polyurethane paint is more common due to its chemical resistant properties.

Can permanent paint be removed? 

Yes, but it’s much more difficult than removing temporary paint. Grinding, shot blasting, and pressure washing are examples of techniques that are used to remove permanent lines.

That’s why most contractors will use temporary paint as a “guide” when painting new lines.

Is temporary paint good for warehouse floors? 

Temporary paint can be used to plan warehouse floor layouts. However, most contractors don’t recommend using temporary paint as a permanent solution. Forklift traffic and heavy foot traffic can quickly wear away temporary paint.

Always go with a durable epoxy, polyurethane, or industrial traffic paint for permanent warehouse floor markings.

Should I use temporary paint before permanent line markings?

Yes, many contractors use temporary paint to plan their permanent layouts. This allows them to double-check measurements and ensure that everything will fit before applying permanent paint.

Does preparation affect paint longevity? 

Definitely. Proper surface preparation is one of the most important steps that affects how long your paint will last. Oil, dust, moisture, and debris can prevent paint from adhering to the surface.

Always clean and dry the application surface before painting.

Final Words  

When it comes down to it, both permanent and temporary paint have their uses. Temporary paint is quick, easy, and cheap. Permanent paint lasts a long time and is highly-visible.

Pick the paint that suits your project. Small projects that may need changes down the road? Temporary paint. Large projects with set layouts and heavy usage? Permanent paint.  Making the right choice here will save you money and prevent you from having to repaint unwanted lines.