Thermoplastic Marking That Lasts 4-6 Years Under Heavy Traffic
When paint needs replacing every 18 months, thermoplastic keeps performing for years. Hot-applied at 180-220°C, it bonds to asphalt at molecular level and builds a 2-3mm thick layer that handles constant traffic. We've applied thermoplastic to arterial roads, busy intersections, bus stops, and high-traffic carparks across Australia.
AS 4049.3 Compliant
Fully Insured
24/7 Availability
15+ Years
Get FREE Quote
Fixed-Price Quote Within 48 Hours
Trusted by 5,000+ Businesses
Why Thermoplastic Outperforms Paint on High-Traffic Surfaces?
We learned the hard way about material selection. Back in 2016, a shopping centre in western Sydney asked us to mark their main entry road. Heavy traffic, constant turning movements, buses, trucks. We quoted standard road-marking paint because it was cheaper. Big mistake.
By the second summer, those lines were softening in the heat and picking up on vehicle tyres. The centre line was barely visible after 14 months. We had to redo the entire project at our cost, roughly $12,000 gone. That expensive lesson taught us when to specify thermoplastic instead of paint.
Here's the difference: paint sits on top of the road surface at about 0.3-0.4mm thick. Thermoplastic is hot-applied at 180-220°C and bonds into the asphalt pores, building up to 2-3mm thickness. That extra thickness means years more wear resistance.
Thermoplastic also handles Australian heat better. Standard paints can soften above 40°C, which we hit regularly in summer. Quality thermoplastic is rated to 50°C+ before showing any softening. For carparks, bus stops, and anywhere with stationary vehicles in summer sun, that matters.
Key Benefits
4-6 year durability
Superior heat resistance
High retroreflectivity
Fast traffic return
Preformed options available
Lower lifecycle cost
Site Inspection
Free assessment and detailed quote
Professional Marking
Expert application with premium materials
Quality Assurance
Final inspection and compliance sign-off
Compliance Standards
Thermoplastic Material Specifications
AS 4049.3:2005, Paints and related materials Part 3: Pavement marking materials - Thermoplastic road marking materials. Specifies performance requirements including hardness, softening point, heat stability, colour, and retroreflectivity.
Retroreflectivity & Night Visibility
AS/NZS 1906.3:2017, Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes Part 3: Pavement markers. Specifies retroreflectivity requirements for road markings and glass bead specifications.
Road Line Marking Dimensions & Patterns
AS 1742.2:2009, Manual of uniform traffic control devices Part 2: Traffic control devices for general use. Primary standard for road line marking dimensions, widths, and patterns regardless of material used.
Traffic Management During Application
Austroads AGTTM, Australian Guide to Traffic Management. Hot thermoplastic application requires specific safety precautions and traffic management. We follow AGTTM protocols for all road marking operations.
High-Traffic Road Marking Requirements
VicRoads / Transport NSW Specifications, State road authority specifications for thermoplastic marking on arterial and high-volume roads. Material grades, application temperatures, and thickness requirements for state-maintained roads.
Bus Stop & Transport Zone Marking
AS 1742.11:2016, Manual of uniform traffic control devices Part 11: Parking controls. Specifies marking requirements for bus zones, taxi ranks, and loading zones where thermoplastic durability is often required.
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.
Upload your site plans for a detailed quote within 48 hours
Get an accurate, fixed-price quote tailored to your specific project requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
On typical roads with normal traffic, thermoplastic lasts 4-6 years. High-traffic areas like busy intersections may see 3-4 years. Compare this to paint which typically needs replacement every 12-18 months. The thicker application (2-3mm vs 0.3mm) provides significantly more wear material.
Thermoplastic is heated to 180-220°C before application. At this temperature it flows easily onto the road surface and bonds into the asphalt pores. It sets within minutes as it cools. Our equipment maintains precise temperature control for consistent application.
Yes, initial cost is typically 2-3x higher than paint. However, lifecycle cost is usually lower because you're not repainting every 18 months. Over 5 years, one thermoplastic application often costs less than 3-4 paint applications plus associated traffic management.
Thermoplastic sets within 5-10 minutes of application as it cools. Traffic can typically return within 15-20 minutes. This is significantly faster than paint which needs 30+ minutes to dry. Faster traffic return means lower traffic management costs and less disruption.
Preformed thermoplastic comes as pre-cut shapes: arrows, symbols, letters, numbers. They're heated in place and bonded to the road surface. Perfect accuracy and faster application than screeding symbols by hand. Ideal for complex markings like roundabout arrows or pedestrian crossing symbols.
Thermoplastic can be applied in cooler conditions than paint because it carries its own heat. However, very cold road surfaces (below 5°C) can cause adhesion issues. We typically avoid application in freezing conditions or on wet surfaces. Road temperature is more important than air temperature.
Related Services
Road Line Marking
Professional road line marking for councils, and contractors. AS 1742 compliant. Thermoplastic and paint options. VicRoads and Transport NSW approved.
Carpark Line Marking
Professional carpark line marking across Australia. AS/NZS 2890.1 compliant bays, arrows, and symbols. 5,000+ projects since 2009. Upload plans for quote.
Line Removal That Actually Eliminates Ghosting
Professional line marking removal by water blasting and grinding. Eliminate ghosting before remarking. Carparks, warehouses, and roads. Upload plans for quote.
Stencil Marking for Consistent, Professional Results Every Time
Professional stencil marking for carparks, warehouses, and roads. Arrows, numbers, symbols, custom text. Compliant markings with consistent quality.
Airport Line Marking to CASA Aerodrome Standards
Specialist airport line marking to CASA Part 139 MOS standards. Runways, taxiways, aprons, and airside roads. ASIC cleared crews. Upload plans for quote.
Ready to Get Your Line Marking Sorted?
Upload your site plans and receive a fixed-price quote within 48 hours. No surprises, no cost blowouts, just clear pricing you can take to your committee or manager.
Or call James directly: 0468 069 002