Common Construction Problems and Solutions for Heating Solvent based Road Hot Melt Marking Coatings

In the field of road marking construction, heated solvent based road marking coatings are widely used in urban roads, parking lots, and other scenarios due to their convenient construction, fast drying speed, and strong adaptability. However, in the actual construction process, even experienced construction teams are bound to encounter some problems. If these problems cannot be solved in a timely and proper manner, not only will they affect the quality and aesthetics of the project, but they may also affect the construction period and increase costs. For engineering and construction teams, understanding and mastering the causes and solutions of these common problems is an important manifestation of their professional abilities. This article combines a large number of frontline construction practice cases to analyze the common problems of heating solvent based (cold paint) marking coatings in construction, and provides corresponding solutions, hoping to provide reference for relevant practitioners.

1、 Uneven marking edges and “double eyelids” phenomenon
Problem description: After marking, the edges appear as burrs, jagged edges, or parallel “double eyelids” undulations, and the line shape is not smooth, seriously affecting the appearance and quality.

Reason analysis: This is usually directly related to construction equipment, material viscosity, and operating standards. Firstly, it is common for the spray gun (commonly known as the “gun head”) model to not match, such as using a large gun head for spraying wide lines to draw narrow lines. Secondly, the viscosity of the coating is too high, which makes it difficult to fully atomize during spraying, resulting in poor leveling and edge accumulation. In addition, if the amount of diluent added is inconsistent before and after, or if the diluent is not stirred evenly after adding, it can also cause local differences in the viscosity of the coating, leading to linear fluctuations. TOP ROAD’s solution: TOP ROAD Transportation Technology Co., Ltd. reminds that to solve this problem, the first step is to choose the correct matching spray gun and maintain stable equipment pressure. Secondly, it is necessary to use the manufacturer’s provided specialized diluent according to the ambient temperature during construction, and accurately and consistently control the amount added to ensure sufficient mixing. The solvent based coating series provided by TOP ROAD has a scientific formula design that inherently has good leveling properties. When combined with the correct construction process, it can effectively avoid such problems.
2、 Insufficient coverage or uneven color
Problem description: After the paint is applied, it cannot completely cover the base color of the road surface, resulting in “exposed base”, color fading or uneven depth. Root cause analysis:

Thin construction thickness: The construction speed is too fast or the equipment has insufficient paint output, resulting in a thin paint film.
Excessive diluent: Excessive addition of diluent in pursuit of smooth construction seriously reduces the effective solid content of the coating.
Poor road condition: The newly laid asphalt pavement has large gaps, or the cement pavement is loose and sandy, which can “suck up” some of the paint, resulting in a decrease in coverage.
Uneven mixing of materials: The coating in the bucket settles, and it is used without sufficient mixing before construction. The composition of the upper and lower layers is different, which directly leads to inconsistent covering power and color. TOP ROAD’s solution: Before construction, it is necessary to ensure that the road surface is dry, sturdy, and clean. For special road surfaces, they should be prepared in advance. When using TOP ROAD cold paint products, be sure to follow the recommended diluent addition (usually not exceeding a certain amount per barrel) and thoroughly stir until evenly mixed after addition. During construction, the construction speed should be appropriately reduced or secondary spraying should be carried out according to the road conditions (such as large gaps in new asphalt pavement) to ensure thickness. In addition, TOP ROAD’s products undergo strict quality inspection before leaving the factory to ensure the color stability of the batch, thereby reducing the risk of color difference from the source.
Heating solvent marking coating, solvent marking coating construction
3、 Abnormal drying time and poor stain resistance
Problem description: After construction, the marking line may not dry or become sticky for a long time, or even if it has dried, it is easily contaminated by tires after being opened to traffic in advance, forming a “rough surface” or dirt mark.

Root cause analysis:
Environmental factors: Low temperature or high air humidity can significantly prolong the physical drying (solvent evaporation) time of coatings.
Construction process: The coating is too thick, which causes the surface to dry and form a film, making it difficult for the internal solvent to evaporate, thereby prolonging the overall drying time.
Violation of regulations: Opening traffic before reaching the completely dry non stick tire time is the main reason for the contamination and damage to the wear resistance of the markings.
Material storage issues: Prolonged storage time or improper storage conditions (such as exposure to sunlight or freezing) of coatings may cause changes in their composition, affecting their drying performance. TOP ROAD’s solution: During construction, attention must be paid to the environmental temperature and humidity, and the maintenance time should be extended in low temperature and high humidity environments. The key is to strictly comply with the time requirements for open traffic, and TOP ROAD’s technical services will clearly inform the recommended maintenance time at different temperatures. Warning signs should be set up after construction to prevent vehicles from rolling over in advance. For material storage, TOP ROAD recommends that customers store the product in a cool and dry place and pay attention to the product shelf life. The TOP ROAD brand series products have been optimized to achieve fast drying speed and good early stain resistance under normal conditions.

4、 Blistering and poor adhesion of the coating
Problem description: Dense bubbles appear on the surface of the marking, or flaky or point like detachment occurs after drying, and the adhesion does not meet the standard.

Root cause analysis:
Grassroots issues: Wet road surfaces, oil stains, dust, or untreated old paint films are the fundamental reasons for poor adhesion.
Environmental interference: When working in environments with high humidity and poor ventilation such as underground parking lots, there is a large difference in drying speed between the inside and outside of the coating, which can easily form bubbles.
Material incompatibility: Direct construction on newly laid oily asphalt pavement, or incorrect application of polyurethane products (such as anti slip and color changing coatings) on old cold paint coatings, resulting in interlayer detachment due to material incompatibility.
Special pavement: constructed on excessively smooth surfaces (such as steel plates, granite) or cement pavements with severe sanding, without any treatment. TOP ROAD’s solution: Pre construction base treatment is of utmost importance. It is necessary to ensure that the road surface is dry and clean, and if necessary, use a fire gun to dry, dehumidify, and remove oil. For special base surfaces, specialized primer must be applied to enhance adhesion. TOP ROAD provides specialized adhesive for marking lines, which can effectively enhance the adhesion between coatings and various road surfaces. At the same time, its technical support team will clearly inform about the compatibility between different materials to avoid detachment issues caused by material mixing.
Heating solvent marking coating, solvent marking coating construction
5、 Equipment blockage and construction interruption
Problem description: During construction, the spray gun or pipeline is frequently blocked, resulting in discontinuous construction and discontinuity of the marking line.

Root cause analysis:
Paint itself: The viscosity of the paint is too high, or the liquid level in the barrel forms a crust due to solvent evaporation, causing the skin to be sucked into the pipeline.
On site pollution: The construction environment is prone to sandstorms and debris, and uncovered paint buckets are prone to falling into leaves and other impurities, or equipment filters are damaged, allowing impurities to enter the system.
Equipment maintenance: After the last construction, the equipment and pipelines were not cleaned thoroughly, and residual paint solidified, causing blockage. TOP ROAD’s solution: Ensure that the coating is stirred evenly and has a moderate viscosity before construction. During construction intervals, the paint bucket should be promptly covered. The equipment must be equipped with a complete filtering device (such as a 60 mesh filter) and regularly inspected and replaced. TOP ROAD emphasizes that after each construction is completed, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the equipment pipelines and spray guns with matching diluents, which is a basic requirement to ensure smooth construction next time.
The construction quality of solvent based road marking coatings is the result of the combined effects of material properties, equipment status, process specifications, and environmental conditions. The root of many common problems often lies in the neglect of details. Choosing a supplier with stable products and excellent technical services can help construction teams avoid risks from the source and receive quick and professional support when problems occur.

TOP ROAD Transportation Technology Co., Ltd., as a comprehensive supplier with years of industry experience, not only provides stable quality TOP ROAD, Gaotu and other series of cold paint products, but also provides comprehensive technical support for engineering and construction teams from material selection, process parameter guidance to on-site problem investigation. TOP ROAD has a service team and a nationwide supply network, committed to working with customers to solve construction problems, ensuring that every meter of marking is clear, durable, and compliant, and helping construction teams efficiently and effectively complete every project with high quality. In the face of construction problems, mastering methods and selecting the right partners are the key to calmly dealing with them and achieving steady progress.

Our company is a professional manufacturer of road hot-melt coatings, road retroreflective measuring instruments, and road marking machines. If you are interested, please feel free to communicate with me via email at any time.