Striping lots without the machines!

There was a base model Graco on the "for sale" forums http://parkinglotplanet.com/forum/index.php/topic,909.0.html with some stencils & stuff too. Might not be too far, he was in Arkansas I think.

Quoting dbarnettt, June 24, 2005 (that post is not in this thread):

ADA/Handicap symbols are WHITE (not whatever color you happen to have in the machine) on a BLUE square background. dbarnett, I will have to politely call BS, the HC symbol color etc is completely dependant on the local planning and zoning regulations, nowhere does the FED regulation state any such thing at all. In fact FED reg's do not even require the symbol to be painted on the ground at all, it is the dimensions of the parking space and access isle, and the signage they are specific about.

Do you think it would be best to just contact a local striper and tell them that I'm looking to learn about the striping business and that I could provide cheap labor just to learn...? This striper is located in my area-- www.stripeit.com . What do you think?

parkinguy wrote on Jun 24, 2005:Go to #3

Do you think it would be best to just contact a local striper and tell them that I'm looking to learn about the striping business and that I could provide cheap labor just to learn...? This striper is located in my area-- www.stripeit.com . What do you think?

Yes, and if your good help your worth more than minimum wage. So offer to help out for a day and maybe you end up with a summer job that is better pay than what you have now. Good luck.

Did you say you were in high school and wanted to paint lines??? Man work at a fast food joint and get ready for college. The pay won't be great but painting without much knowledge of what you are painting with is very dangerous and lead paint will hurt you. You really do need insurance to work on any parking lot and like one of the other guys said.. We who do it fulltime should have the insurance and others things it takes to safely do the job. I know it sounds silly but safety should always come first. Do you know what to do if you turn over a five gallon bucket of paint? What to do with the cleanup items that you cleaned up with? What if a small kid runs out the store door and touches the paint then licks his hand? What will you tell the parents to do and who will pay for it? Accidents do and will happen just be prepared when they do. And at small stores people will walk in your paint then walk into store on there carpet, do you know how to get paint off carpet? I am not saying all these things to be a smart a.. just wanting you to understand there is a lot more to striping than just blocking off a small section and rolling a line. Be careful, good luck and really go to college. You will thank us later.

I'm definately planning on going to college. That said, I have an entrepeneur spirit in me that wants to be hands-on. That may sound cheesy, but I really want to do something different. I work at a grocery store part time which is nice for gas money, but it drives me crazy not being able to seriously work a business rather than just a job.

Hey take it from me kid (me being all of 23) This business has a bug and sounds like it is already starting to nibble on you. From one entrepreneur to one that is coming up in the world. "Never quit anything you start" It is one thing to say "When I got out of high school I started my own little business of striping parking lots." and it is another thing to say a couple of years down the road "I still own my striping business that I started when I got out of high school." There are so many ways striping parking lots leads into other fields of asphalt maintenance. And yes this work is seasonal "But money don't stop being made just because the sun goes down" Just think twice or maybe threes times before you jump into. Helps out another striping crew in your town. So you know all the ins and outs We are very luck to be able to interact with people from all over the world on this board. and they all will answer all they can. Just my two cents oh and by the way! Tony Stewart is going to win this weekend!!! -Dean

If you are serious about getting into striping go to a bank, get a loan or check out some equipment leasing companies. do it now while your young and can do most work yourself, yhen hire people to do the work while you sell the jobs. After a few years you will have several repeat customers and shouldn't have to work much at all unless you want to be a millionaire. I know a guy that has been doing seal an stripe for about 12 yrs. he doesn't do anything anymore but sign and cash checks and go on vacation. read The E-MYTH book

Don't do it !!! HA HA !!If you really want to get a striping business started ! Look into some used equipment . Start of small and let your business grow the way you want it too. ( Line by Line)