Help with machine brand names

Hi, I'm just starting out in Southwest Louisiana and was wondering if you guys have a preference as far as striping machines go. I've heard of Graco, Airlessco and others but would welcome your input. Should I buy new or maybe try my luck with a used unit. Also I would welcome any and all advice about getting in the business. Hurricane Rita hit us hard but I think I can make a go at it. Thanks in advance for your advice and comments.

I ain't sayin' nut'in.

///Stripes\\\ only uses Speeflo and we give him a hard time about it. Lots of Graco users here. Here's a link to the page with links to striping machine mfg's: http://parkinglotplanet.com/striping_20machines.htm

NOT TRUE, NOT TRUE! I have 7 Speeflos and 3 Gracos!!!!!!!!!! (Two more older Gracos in the junk pile). So, technically, I have more Gracos than Speeflos.

Where'd you take math classes at stripes

\\\STRIPES/// wrote on Apr 24, 2006:Go to #4

NOT TRUE, NOT TRUE! I have 7 Speeflos and 3 Gracos!!!!!!!!!! (Two more older Gracos in the junk pile). So, technically, I have more Gracos than Speeflos.

start out with a bucket and roller and see how you like it first. Pick the hottest most humid day of the year and stripe a McDonald's lot. Then wait on your money for 60 to 90 days. If you still want to stripe after that ask us again..

OOOPS! The perils of MEK

Yeah well you can leave out my well known preference for SpeeFlo too (Now Titan PowrLiner) and now you know why \\\STRIPES/// teaches classes on how to lay out without a measuring tape

know nothing about the mechanics of machines so paramount for me... is I have to have a good reliable machine that is capable of handling big jobs at a fast and efficient rate.... One that I can pull up to a job get my machine out and stripe day in day out. As far as I'm concerned with out a doubt these are the machines I highly recommend. I prefere the hs200 and titan 8900 both are great machines as far as pumps go, but I would last about 10 minutes pushing them as I weigh 112lbs so a ride on is highly recommended when using these. If I was just starting out I would still buy these because,these pumps can handle any parkinglot striping job and if you put a large tip in these machines and turned the pressure up to full I would find it hard to believe some one could keep up with the machine and still do a good job, thus the machine at full capacity will out run the striper. Marvelouse. I have never had any issues with them and I have 24 hour shifts going.

Wend.. (and any other 200HS users) I've been thinking about a 200HS for my next machine, seems like the best of both worlds. My question is, how is the 200HS for riding wheelies behind the rider? I've heard they are front heavy. 75% of my time is spent riding a wheelie painting curb, and I don't want something that will be too hard to lift the front end... constantly.

What do you mean by "riding a wheelie when painting a curb"? Thanks.

David, You can easily change the balance on any machine by changing the fulcrum point where the LL attaches to the striping machine. You vary the length of either the bracket on the striper or the length of the neck on the LL (or both). I have most of mine set so there is very little effort in rasing the front wheel for painting curves or curbs. Sealzit999, send me an e-mail address (better yet add it to your profiile) and I'll send you pics and videos showing wheelie's.

Thanks Ken. I figured that was one way to do it, but if the 200HS is real front heavy, wouldn't you have to lengthen it so much it would be awkward to use? Hate to fine that out AFTER I bought it. Sealzit, When the pitch of the asphalt changes in relation to the curb, or the curb height varies, its easier to set the gun in the front of the machine and ride a wheelie so u can adjust the spray height as you go....no adjusting the gun. Check out Kens pics.

Don't think so. Shortening the distance between the LL and the ball has the same effect as lengthening the LL bracket. Worst scenario would be to move the axle on the 200 an inch or so....not hard to do but probably unnecessary.

Ace you can get just about all information on buying stuff right here on PLP.. On a machine don't let them intimidate you... find a old parking lot and practice. Don't ever cheat anyone knowing that you are..just make sure you KNOW not read... MSD sheets and product data sheets before you start painting...Don't try to out guess or outthink the paint companies or the machine makers...They spend millions on R&D... they know what they are talking about. Just my one-half cents worth....

as a beginner i came across this site and was wondering if someone could answer a few of my questions First off, one of my buddies may want to hand his very small company over to me. I have no experience and was curious how much knowledge i will need to build before i go out and start. I'm sure that he will teach me the ropes, but i would like to go in having some knowledge. Also, what would it take for me to get into this by myself with no help (not that this is my plan, just curios)?

-Read every single post ever posted on these forums. Ok most of them. The important looking ones. -Go out on some jobs and see if the work suits you. No sense getting into a biz you hate. -Ask more questions here on the forums. No one has ever asked a stupid question here. Well, OK, there are some, but we answer them anyway. -And most of us started out with one employee: ourselves. That works well until you 1) get bigger or 2) get older or 3) get fatter.

or all 3

paint a McDonald's...

ajp Some of the important things that you have to learn how to deal with. 1. How stupid people are that drive cars on the highway are. 2. How many different ways an employee can stay out of work. 3. That word of mouth or a handshake means nothing in a court of law. 4. That it will rain when the sun is shinning. 5. That you can't erase paint. 6. That if the power company owes you a thousand dollars for going on 60 days for painting their lines, they will still cut your power off for owing them a $59.00 power bill. 7. Check oil in all vehicles and machines everyday. 8. Learn how to speak a second language.. (probably not french). 9. Instead of cursing every chance you get.. laugh.. 10. And above all other come and read this site everyday.