By Eric Sandoz

Reprinted with permission from the Excavation Safety Guide and Directory

Paint can seem like a relatively low investment type of purchase. Most people probably rank it a few steps above toothpaste or shampoo on the buyer decision thought process. As long as the color, price, and quantity are sufficient, you pick one and pay for it. But there are more variables to be considered when looking for the right marking paint to get the most value for your money.

Utility marking paint is in a different investment category than residential paint. There are different standards that have to be met because utility line locators need to be able to communicate the location of buried infrastructure to excavators and construction crews. Productivity and efficiency are important qualities to look for in the performance of marking paint. In the midst of busy summer months, locators are usually swamped with calls for locates. In an ideal world, they want the paint to be able to produce an APWA-approved 2” mark in just one pass. If they get slowed down by having to re-apply extra layers to get the right consistency and brightness, valuable resources such as time and money end up being wasted.

It is also important to consider the price per volume. Two cans that hold the same volume of product do not necessarily produce the same amount of paint. The mixture of ingredients solvent- based paint usually consists of includes propellants, pigments, resins, and solvents. There are different grades of these ingredients that make up the consistency of the paint and you usually get what you pay for. Simple chemistry is what determines the consistency, brightness, and coverage you get from the paint when specific grades of ingredients are mixed together. So two cans that contain 17 ounces of product do not necessarily produce the same amount of paint; especially after it has been sprayed and the product has dried.

It is cheaper for manufacturers to use larger amounts of solvents in the mixture. The problem is that it does not leave room for the same amount of pigment (color) because solvents weigh more and end up accounting for more of the volume of overall product in the can. The solvents evaporate after the paint dries, leaving you with a coating that consists of the pigments and resins. The cost of the paint to the consumer will be less, but so will the overall quality and consistency.

If water-based fluorescent marking paint is used instead of solvent-based, it is necessary to research the ingredients that are listed as contents in the can. Some manufacturers add “fillers” like Limestone and Barium Sulfate to boost the solids content of the paint. The end result does not actually produce more paint or enhance the performance. It is a lot like adding solvents to increase the weight, but maintain the same volume of product.

You also have to consider how much paint is wasted due to clogging. A cheaply manufactured can will have tips that clog easily, especially in cold weather. It is important to find a brand that specializes in manufacturing larger tips that allow you to easily clear the valve to avoid wasting product. If you pay $6 for a 20 ounce can of paint, but only use 15 ounces due to clogging, you end up paying $.40 per ounce. If you pay $8 for a 20 ounce can of paint and use all of the product, you end up paying $.40 per ounce. So it may seem like an initial bargain to go with the cheaper can of paint, but the price per volume ends up being higher when the cans clog. If the cheaper can of paint is loaded with solvents, then the overall cost would be higher because more product is needed to get the same consistency and brightness.

Using a can with a larger tip will also cover a larger area in a shorter distance. The length of the line will not be as long, but the width will be able to meet industry standards. Utility line locators actually ranked the length of the line as less important than other factors that affect their job like limiting the number of trips to the truck, having lightweight tools, ease of use of paint in cold temperatures, and quality of the marks. Using a can with a smaller tip may allow for a longer line to be sprayed, but more paint will have to be applied in order to get the correct width.

In the utility line locating industry, paint is used as their language and means of communication to utility owners, excavators, and private contractors. Specific colors, symbols, and markings have inherent meanings that need to be carefully decoded and interpreted. It is very important that utility line locators use paint that is not going to fade easily or get washed away due to outdoor elements. If the locator had originally used yellow to mark a gas and oil pipeline and the paint had faded quite considerably, then there could be some confusion about whether it is safe to dig or not and could result in some unfavorable consequences. There are certain types of paint that consist of UV-resistant formulas made especially for this reason. It is definitely worth considering when trying to avoid utility damage and all of the related costs.

Another factor to consider when determining what type of paint to use is the ease of use while wearing gloves. Utility line locators spend a lot of time outdoors, sometimes in cold weather conditions. They do not want to take off their gloves to spray the paint. It may not seem like an important variable in the buyer decision process, but a lot of time can be wasted taking off gloves and putting them back on every time the locator makes a mark. Their hands may also get cold and they will need to spend time warming them up in the truck or inside a heated building. Something as simple as a grip that can be used with gloves may make all the difference when applying the paint.

As it turns out, there are actually a lot of variables to consider when buying industrial marking paint. Not only are there cost per volume equations to calculate, but important factors that affect public safety and utility damage prevention. The paint is the language that communicates when it is safe to dig and warns of the hazardous consequences if a buried utility is struck. Saving money on the bottom line is important, but public safety and excavation damage prevention should be the top priority. That is why spending the extra time to invest in quality paint can be a valuable resource to your company and your employees.

For additional information and resources visit ExcavationSafetyGuide.com.