Tips From The Pros
as a head turf manager in professional football. He graduated from Colorado State University’s Turfgrass Management program
and now operates and owns Championship Sports Turf Systems.
FIELD PAINTING BASICS - OUT IN THE FIELD
Quality field markings are an important part of a well-prepared sports field. Good equipment and paint are important, but the techniques used on the field can make just as much difference in the finished result.
One of the cardinal rules for painting natural grass is to paint the grass, not the soil. With artificial turf, the goal is to paint the fibers rather than allowing excessive paint to build up in the infill.
Repeated painting on natural grass can eventually result in areas where the grass has worn away and more of the soil is exposed. On synthetic turf, accumulated paint can also create maintenance issues over time. Always use paint intended for the surface you are working on and follow the turf, paint and equipment manufacturers’ recommendations.
Another good rule of thumb is to use the least amount of paint needed to achieve the quality and brightness you want. Every operation and field is different, and experience will help determine the right application.
Equipment settings are equally important. Airless machines allow adjustments to pressure, tip size and spray pattern. Follow the recommendations for the paint, sprayer and playing surface rather than relying on one setting for every application.
Painting Lines
Painting straight, high-quality lines is fundamental to sports field painting.
Lines are typically applied with some type of striping machine that rolls along the field and is operated by one person. This is an efficient approach for most field operations.
The condition of the playing surface can affect the finished line. Differences in turf height, worn areas and changes in the level of the field can change the distance between the spray nozzle and the surface, which may affect the appearance and width of the line.
String lines, templates and other guides can help maintain accuracy.
Another option for producing straight, consistent lines is a line sled, sometimes called a slider. A line sled is typically a lightweight metal or aluminum guide that creates a defined channel through which the line is painted.
The sled helps maintain a consistent line width as it moves across the field. Different widths can be used depending on the markings required.
While using a sled can require additional handling compared with a conventional line striper, it can produce very straight, crisp lines. As with any field-painting method, good coordination and practice help improve the finished result.
Preserving Your Painted Field
Paint takes time to dry, so allow adequate drying time before the field is used for games or practice.
Drying time can vary considerably depending on the type of paint, application rate, temperature, humidity and air movement. Follow the paint manufacturer’s recommendations and adjust your painting schedule to the conditions.
Every paint job requires planning. The goal is to produce bright, durable markings while giving the paint enough time to dry before the field is used.
Mow before painting when practical. This can help extend the usable life of painted markings on natural grass. As the grass continues to grow and is mowed, painted leaf tissue is gradually removed and replaced by new growth.
The rate at which this occurs depends on the health and growth rate of the turf. Faster-growing grass will generally require markings to be refreshed more frequently than slower-growing turf.
Plant growth regulators are sometimes used as part of athletic-field maintenance programs and, where the product label specifically permits it, may also be used with field paint to help extend the visibility of markings.
Always follow the product label and applicable use instructions.
After painting, keep mowing to the minimum necessary until the markings need to be refreshed. This can help preserve the painted leaf tissue longer.
Turf Tips 101: Field Painting Tips
Base Coats
As with many types of painting, more than one coat may sometimes be needed to achieve the desired coverage.
If applying additional coats, allow the previous coat to dry according to the paint manufacturer’s recommendations before recoating.
When painting logos or filling larger areas, start and stop the spray gun with each change of direction rather than continuing to spray while reversing the motion. This helps prevent excess paint from accumulating at the ends of each pass.
When filling a larger area, overlapping each paint pass can also help produce more even coverage. A consistent spray pattern, steady gun movement and appropriate overlap can make a significant difference in the finished appearance.
Airless spray tips are designed to produce different fan widths and flow rates. Select a tip that is appropriate for the paint and the amount of detail required, and follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations for spray distance and pressure.
For narrow trim work, using the appropriate narrower spray tip can provide better control than simply moving the gun closer to the surface.
Pull Strings
Use string lines for straight field markings, including yard lines, boundaries and straight portions of decorative work.
While using strings takes additional setup time, they provide a reliable guide for keeping lines straight and accurately positioned.
Templates and stencils can also be used with string lines to help position numbers, logos and other markings.
Dealing With Wind
Wind can make field painting much more difficult and can increase overspray.
Before painting, take notice of anything nearby that you do not want paint drifting onto. When conditions make overspray difficult to control, delaying the work may be the better option.
Paint shields or splash boards can be used when painting logos, numbers and detailed areas. A lightweight, flexible shield can help protect surrounding areas and create cleaner edges.
Avoid Line and Trim Creep
When repainting existing lines or trim, there can be a tendency to paint slightly wider each time in an effort to cover the previous markings.
Try to match the established line or trim width rather than gradually expanding it with each application.
The same principle applies to logo work. Allowing trim to become progressively wider can change the proportions of letters, numbers or other details and reduce the separation between elements.
Careful layout and consistent application help maintain the intended design.
Keep Basic Supplies Close By
A small tool pouch attached to the paint machine can keep commonly used items such as spray tips and a tape measure within easy reach.
It is also useful to have clean water and rags available around the field so small mistakes or spills can be cleaned before the paint dries.
When changing colors, use appropriate containers and follow the paint-machine manufacturer’s procedures for flushing and priming the system.
Whenever practical, load and refill paint equipment away from the main playing surface. Mixing and refilling are situations where spills are more likely to occur.
Full 5-gallon buckets of paint are heavy. A small wagon or cart can make moving paint around the facility easier and reduce unnecessary lifting. Always use proper lifting and handling practices.
Use a Quality Stencil
You can lay out and paint a field logo without a stencil, but a good stencil can make the process quicker, easier and more consistent.
A quality stencil should be durable, lightweight enough to handle efficiently and capable of being positioned and secured accurately on the field.
Center markings or other alignment guides can make positioning easier. A copy of the finished logo can also be useful as a visual reference while painting.
End Quote
“Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do.”
— Edgar Degas