Why Why Surface Preparation Matters More Than Paint?
Here's something most line marking contractors won't tell you: the paint matters less than what's underneath it. You can use the best paint in Australia, but if the surface isn't prepared properly, it won't last.We learned this the expensive way. Early in our business, a warehouse in Campbellfield complained that our marking was peeling after three months. We'd painted over a floor that looked clean but was contaminated with years of invisible oil residue. The paint had nothing to grip.We went back, stripped everything, prepared the floor properly, and remarked at our cost. That job cost us around $4,500, but it taught us that preparation isn't optional.In 2018, a food processing facility in Laverton North needed floor marking. The floor looked clean, recently pressure washed by their team. We marked it. Within six weeks, the marking was lifting in high-traffic areas. The problem? Residue from their cleaning chemicals had left an invisible film on the concrete. We returned, stripped everything with diamond grinding, and remarked. Cost us around $5,800 in labour and materials. Now we always do our own preparation.
Key Benefits
Pressure cleaning at 3,000-4,000 PSI removes loose material, dirt, and light contamination
Chemical degreasing with industrial alkaline cleaners for oil and grease contamination
Diamond grinding removes existing coatings and creates ideal surface profile for adhesion
Shot blasting for large areas requiring aggressive preparation in one pass
Primer application for dusty or porous concrete with adhesion concerns
Moisture testing with electronic meters ensures surface is below 6% before marking
Site Inspection
Free assessment and detailed quote
Professional Marking
Expert application with premium materials
Quality Assurance
Final inspection and compliance sign-off
Compliance Standards
AS 4586
Slip resistance requirements considered during preparation to ensure finished surface meets safety standards.
Safe Work Australia
Dust extraction and PPE requirements followed during grinding and blasting operations.
AS 1318
Surface preparation ensures safety colours adhere properly and remain visible.
AS 4049
Paint manufacturer specifications for surface preparation followed for warranty compliance.
Fully Compliant & Certified
All our work meets or exceeds Australian Standards and state road authority requirements
VicRoads Approved
Registered Contractor
$20M Public Liability
$10M Professional Indemnity
5,000+ Projects
Since 2009
Fixed Prices
Not Estimates
AS 1742
Traffic Control Devices
Specifies line colours, widths, arrow designs, and placement for road markings. Ensures all traffic control devices meet national safety standards.
AS/NZS 2890
Parking Facilities
Covers bay dimensions (2.4m × 5.4m standard, 3.2m × 5.4m accessible), aisle widths, and traffic flow requirements for compliant parking areas.
AS 4586
Slip Resistance
Defines slip resistance classifications (P rating) for pedestrian surfaces. Critical for wet areas, ramps, and high-traffic zones.
AS/NZS 1428
Access & Mobility
Sets requirements for accessible parking bays, tactile indicators, and mobility access. Essential for DDA compliance and accessibility audits.
What Our Clients Say
4.9/5 from 500+ reviews
Results based on typical project outcomes. Individual results may vary.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Paint needs a clean, properly profiled surface to bond. Without preparation, paint peels, fades early, or wears unevenly. Preparation is the foundation of durable marking.
Depends on surface condition. A clean carpark might need only pressure washing (a few hours). A contaminated factory floor might need multiple days of grinding and degreasing.
Yes, appropriate preparation is included in every quote. We assess your surface and include what's needed for lasting results.
Sometimes, if the existing marking is well-adhered and you're using the same colour. For different colours or layouts, we recommend removal to prevent ghosting.
We degrease with industrial cleaners, sometimes multiple applications. For heavy contamination, we grind to remove the contaminated layer entirely.
Moisture testing with electronic meters. Adhesion testing with test patches. Visual inspection for cleanliness. We don't proceed until the surface is right.
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