From the outside, a race track, runway, or car park might look perfectly smooth and clean, but look closer and you’ll find that every surface is under constant attack from “build-up.” Whether it’s rubber, oil, mould, paint, or standing water, these residues don’t just affect how a surface looks. Over time, they can have serious impacts on safety, performance, and the lifespan of the surface itself.
At Roadgrip, we’ve spent many years working with motorsport circuits, international airports, and commercial car parks around the world, refining the best way to approach common surface issues. We’ve seen firsthand how different types of build-up form, the risks they create, and crucially how to prevent and remove them with precision engineering and specialist equipment.
Rubber
Where it happens: Race tracks, runways, and braking zones.
Why it’s a problem: Tyres leave behind rubber with every lap or landing. On circuits, this can affect grip levels and create unpredictable racing lines. On runways, heavy rubber deposits reduce friction, increasing the risk of aquaplaning during landings.
Oil and Fuel
Where it happens: Roads, car parks, pit lanes, and apron areas at airports.
Why it’s a problem: Oils seep into asphalt and concrete, breaking down the surface structure over time. They also create slippery patches, increasing the risk of skids and accidents.
Mould, Algae, and Moss
Where it happens: Shaded car parks and roads/runways in tropical climates.
Why it’s a problem: These organic growths hold moisture against the surface, accelerating wear, reducing friction, and creating unsightly and unsafe green slicks.
Paint Layers
Where it happens: Circuits, airfields, and car parks with frequent re-marking.
Why it’s a problem: Over years of repainting, thick layers build up. These can crack, flake, or trap water, creating uneven surfaces that compromise performance and shorten lifespan.
Standing Water
Where it happens: Anywhere without proper drainage or surface texture.
Why it’s a problem: Puddles may look harmless, but water films drastically reduce tyre grip. On runways, even a thin layer of water combined with rubber build-up can turn landings into a dangerous challenge.
Short-Term: Loss of grip, inconsistent surface behaviour, higher skid risks, and poor visibility of lines.
Long-Term: Surface degradation, potholes, cracking, costly resurfacing projects, and potential closures or downtime for critical infrastructure.
Left untreated, build-up isn’t just an inconvenience — it becomes a financial and safety liability.
Over the years, Roadgrip has developed a suite of specialist techniques to address different types of build-up quickly and effectively:
Ultra High Pressure (UHP) Water Jetting/Hydroblasting
Uses powerful jets of water to safely strip rubber, oil, and paint without damaging the surface beneath.
Commonly deployed on runways to restore friction levels and improve microtexture.
Case Study: At Silverstone Circuit in the UK, we recently deep cleaned the surface of the Hamilton Straight to prepare it for the intense demands of race weekend. Over time, race cars deposit large amounts of rubber, oil, and debris, particularly in braking zones and grid positions. This build-up, known as “rubbering in”, changes the grip levels and can reduce surface performance.
Runway Grooving
Cutting shallow, precise grooves into runways to channel water away from aircraft tyres.
Essential in wet climates to prevent aquaplaning and ensure safe landings.
Case Study: At Sumburgh Airport in Shetland, we grooved 9,000m² of runway to improve water dissipation and landing safety on this island airfield.
Shot Blasting
Propels fine steel shot at high velocity to clean surfaces and remove stubborn paint or contaminants.
Leaves behind a textured finish, improving skid resistance for roads and car parks.
Case Study: At Curaçao International Airport, our teams have an ongoing commitment to keep the runways free of mould and rubber using our containerised UHP fleet. This restores critical friction values on the runway, reducing the risk of aquaplaning during the island’s frequent tropical downpours.
Preventive Maintenance
Scheduling regular cleaning and inspection prevents costly emergency works and prolongs the surface lifespan.
Case Study: At circuits like Silverstone and Spa, our motorsport division regularly removes rubber and refreshes paint between major events. This not only improves driver safety but also keeps the circuits visually sharp for broadcast and spectators.
What sets Roadgrip apart isn’t just the technology, it’s the ability to deploy it anywhere in the world. Our UHP vehicles are stored and maintained in the UK, then carefully containerised for safe shipping to wherever they’re needed. The snug fit of our containers ensures maximum efficiency with no wasted space, whether we’re heading to the Caribbean, the Middle East, or remote island runways.
Our logistics teams are highly adept at navigating tricky access, tight deadlines, and busy calendars, whether that’s getting equipment shipped during the Shetland Highland Games, or threading through a construction site while pit lane garages go up in Zandvoort.
Build-up may be inevitable, but it doesn’t have to compromise safety or efficiency. With regular maintenance and expert removal techniques, airports, race circuits, and car parks can extend the life of their surfaces, protect users, and avoid costly downtime.
At Roadgrip, this is what we specialise in: combining engineering expertise with global logistics to keep surfaces safe, durable, and race-ready, wherever in the world the challenge lies.