Yes. Using Roadgrip’s Ultra High Pressure (UHP) water blasting or Trackjet system, we can remove the markings quickly and effectively using a vacuum collection method that is environmentally beneficial, clean and fast but gentle enough not to damage the surface of the road. This article goes into more detail: How to remove road markings
We operate several Trackjet units in the UK and abroad for the safe, clean and quick removal of rubber and markings from roads, runways and car parks. View our map to see where we work.
We use the same removal systems for runways that we do for roads because they are effective but gentle on the underlying surface. For runways, we use the UHP water blasting methods to strip the rubber from the asphalt or concrete runway without the use of chemicals, which preserves the surface underneath and prevents damage. Take a look at this article: Using water blasting to remove rubber and preserve the surface
Every job is different as it depends on the thickness of the material to be removed and the environmental conditions we are working in. That said, we use the fastest UHP water blasting process, which typically removes 1000 m2 of material per hour. This high-speed method is faster and safer than alternative chemical or mechanical systems. Further reading: Using water blasting to remove road markings
Runway grooving increases the macro texture of a surface which helps with water dissipation. It is achieved by cutting transverse grooves into the runway surface. This reduces the likelihood of an aircraft aquaplaning and improves safety. Learn more about runway grooving.
There are many different materials used for line marking but the common ones used on roads, car parks, runways and race-tracks are:
- Thermoplastic – this is a heat-applied material that binds with bitumen to create a hard-wearing surface ideal for heavy-traffic areas
- Paint – water-based, anti-slip, low-profile paint markings are ideal for runways and race tracks for safety and environmental reasons
- MMA (Methyl Methacrylate) is a cold- applied, solvent-free plastic that provides an alternative to both paint and thermoplastic. It has excellent longevity and colour stability and dries quickly, making it ideal for heavy traffic areas, roundabouts and junctions.
Learn more about road marking materials.
Thermoplastic is a hot applied road marking paint (also known as hot melt marking paint or hot mark tape), designed to be applied to tarmac or asphalt roads that expect heavy traffic. Using specialist machines, the thermoplastic powder binds with the bitumen in the surface when it hits 180 degrees, effectively combining the two into one extremely hard-wearing surface, which makes it ideal for roads and car parks.
It depends on the surface and expected traffic or stress levels of that surface.
Paint tends to be used on airfields because it is low-profile, therefore better for safety where runways must have no foreign object debris (FOD) on the surface. Paint marking is also ideal for concrete and block-paving surfaces used in car parks, shipping ports, transport yards and warehouses.
Thermoplastic is used on tarmac or asphalt in heavy-traffic areas and is more hard-wearing than spray paint.
MMA is Methyl Methacrylate, which is a two-part, cold plastic road marking paint that is quick-drying, durable and highly resistant to environmental conditions and heavy traffic. It is often used on high-stress surfaces such as roads, give-way junctions and roundabouts.
Yes, provided an environmentally-friendly, water-based, non-toxic paint is used. Roadgrip uses this material when applying brand images or line markings to grass areas. The paint will survive the rain but will grow out as the grass grows. It has no adverse effects on the soil underneath.
Yes. We routinely apply temporary materials on surfaces for events on a variety of surfaces. Using a non-toxic paint, we can apply images and markings of all types to grass which can survive all weathers but can be easily removed or mown out. Alternatively, we use removable paint systems on asphalt or concrete surfaces which can removed quickly and safely after the event without damaging the underlying surface.
Yes. We regularly apply branding and sponsorship markings including web
addresses, images, hashtags and logos to a number of surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, grass and flooring. They can be easily removed and replaced at any time.
Roadgrip uses a specialist paint that meets all the FIA and FIM friction requirements for surface marking and track painting, and has been certified for use on race tracks globally. It is water-based and environmentally friendly with superior friction quality and anti-slip/anti-skid/high-grip qualities for racing.
This depends on the size of the job. We can normally mobilise a job in the UK within a week. However, we can pull all of our resources together to work to extremely tight schedules. For example, if you have a 3-hour runway closure, a threshold displacement on an airfield, or a short window of availability on a race track or street circuit, our size and experience enable us to bring together teams and machinery together faster to get the job done.
Ultra High Pressure (UHP) water blasting is used to clean race tracks and remove rubber or paint from circuit surfaces. Roadgrip’s UHP system blasts water at 42000 psi, which is the magic number for rubber and paint removal. It uses vacuum recovery to remove and contain all arisings. This method leaves the surface with an even grip from edge line to edge line within the circuit width, free from dust, debris, sand, paint and oil spills, and has been used on tracks from F1 and Silverstone to Singapore street circuits and runways.
The only way to effectively and safely clean an aircraft stand or runway is to use ultra high pressure (UHP) water blasting to remove oils, rubbers and paints. This protects the underlying surface and leaves a safe, clean surface. Road-sweeping or jet-washing will not come close to the level of removal or safety achieved through UHP.
In addition to the track markings, we also paint run-off designs and branding (both of the track and its race sponsors).
Waterproofing the top decks of car parks isn’t just an aesthetic reason to add extra protection to the marking. When we waterproof car parks, we do it to stop chlorides getting into the structure of the building and popping the rebar of the concrete. Waterproofing protects and wraps the structure by preventing water ingress and associated issues with chlorine.
Resin is ideal for zoning areas on the interdecks of car parks, to clearly define walkways, for example, to protect pedestrians from traffic. Resin is an extremely hard-wearing product and comes in a wide spectrum of colours and friction profiles. It is also chemical and oil resistant. It needs to be applied by our in-house specialists as it relies on a chemical reaction.
Resins can be applied in a variety of environments that include hangars,
warehouses, car parks, sports halls and factory floors. It’s durability, friction features and variety of colours makes it ideal for each of these spaces and surfaces.
Resin is ideal for protecting your surface and adding extra longevity. There are a variety of resin systems for concrete and asphalt preservation, which rejuvenate and protect by slowing down deterioration and controlling degradation. In some cases, resin can actually repair a surface (link to Falklands case study re: concrete).
The team at Roadgrip are always happy to offer guidance on the best method for the job. Alternatively, take a look at our blog and case studies for more examples of how line painting, road marking, rubber and paint removal happens throughout the UK and abroad.
