Painting Light pole bases

I got 288 light pole bases need painted , 22" diameter, 4' tall. Looking for suggestions on tip size and the quickest way to do them. In the past I have used a half circle template, sliding it around the base and free handing it with a 317 tip. This is on a new concrete parking structure so I can't have any overspray at the base. Gotta funny feeling my back is gonna be a little sore after this one not to mention I have to get off the rider. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks Guys.

Al, the template should work well, just make extras to cover all the way around to not slow you down having to keep moving half of it around. At least you get to ride from base to base.

If you like the people you are working for, don't use traffic paint....

Their is already one coat of alkyd on them when it was striped new last year but it is already begining to flake off near the base. I wish they had used enamel.

1. Get a helper. Have them place the cardboard overspray ring around the base. Have them also mask off the light pole. 2. Get an extension for the spray gun. All you should have to do is paint. 3. Enjoy.

First of all,if the bases aren't that far apart, lose the driver. While minimal, your burning twice the gas for no reason. You can use industrial enamel through your striper, just put one or two guys ahead of you prepping with a wire brush or scraper if necessary. I'd cut a couple dozen shields to go around the base and the covers for the bolts should lift up. If they don't just mask them. Keep in mind your paint cost will be around $40 a gallon vs whatever you pay for traffic paint. Stick with a painters tip to get a professional result and be CAREFUL. The enamel paint doesn't dry once it's airborne, so overspray could be an issue.

You can go to Home Depot and buy Rustoleum Safety Yellow Industrial Enamel for about $26/gal....and then carry the receipt over to SW and get them to match the price. Also, SW will custom tint industrial enamel to any color in their palette. I have several shopping center managers who paint the light pole bases in landscaped areas earth tones instead of safety yellow.

Thanks for all the tips guys, much appreciated.

Cancunal, Don't know if this method is better than cardboard but works well for us. We use a circle cutter for drywall and cut a circle out of rolled roofing. Then split out on side so can be placed around pole and tape splice or cover splice with shingle. The circle cutter makes it easy to make quite a few templates. I welded an extension rod on a small one I had to make it cut a large enough circle but I sure they make a large one that would cut that big of a circle.

By now this job is probably complete, (I hope!). This thread was first posted in 07'.

I like the idea of using rolled roofing, maybe tar paper could be used also? Here they have painted the concrete, asphalt and cap above the pole and part of the pole when doing them. I guess the manager of the place did not care too much, it was all over the place.

what tip do you use? i don't like all the overspray from the striping tips. do the other tips (house painting) give much better results?

Yes, the line tips produce a even fan and produce a buildup where overlapped. The contractor tips thin out on the edge of the fan requiring an overlap for even coverage.

cancunal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I got 288 light pole bases need painted , 22" diameter, 4' tall. Looking for suggestions on tip size and the quickest way to do them. Good luck and after 288 you will definitely know the best and fastest way. Let us know what the ending technique was that you used.

roll em rollem keep those doggies rollin RAWHIDE. Naw seriously though Id roll em . No overspray. 2 guys could prolly do it in 2 days , Im sure a guy could average 5 or 6 an hour with a roller, if you have 1 accident and overspray 1 car there goes your profit, plus if you roll you could use the same cutout for all , instead of having several dripping ones.

I remember reading something about stencil ink instead of using traffic paint. Does anyone have the link to that product? Thanks

Let's keep the paint. I had someone the other day tell me all striping is thermo and no one has ever striped using paint.

Stencil ink???....cool, who sales the "stamps?" Sorry....I had to ask.

I may have asked incorrectly. There is a product that can be used for stenciling that is not traffic paint. It makes the problem of multiple stencils easier because it dries quickly. Thanks again.

Quoting Drivelane, December 19, 2008 (that post is not in this thread):

Try Aervoe Stencil Ink A fellow striper turned me on to this stuff a couple years ago. It dries almost instantly, falls right off your stencils, coverage is awesome and it does not rub off of the curb. I buy from a local supplier but found this link and it's just a hair more than I pay by the case. http://www.alexgs.com/product/aervoe-2807.html I have done jobs with several thousand feet (at 15 foot intervals) using two stencil sets and never had to stop and wipe. Just shake the stencil a few times when it builds up.