Not all thermoplastic paints are created equal. For road engineers, project managers, and contractors in the Philippines, selecting the right type of thermoplastic road marking paint is a crucial decision that can significantly impact their project’s success.
This guide helps you confidently pick from Rua Seguridad’s diverse range of thermoplastic paint for road marking. Whether you’re working on a major highway or a community road, we offer the right solution tailored to your project’s needs.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Thermoplastic Paint
To ensure you maximize your investment in thermoplastic road marking paint in the Philippines, here are essential factors to consider:
Application
1. Screed
Screed application involves heating the thermoplastic and pushing it through a die onto the road surface to create thick, uniform lines. It is the most commonly used method in Philippine roads, ideal for lane dividers, crosswalks, and long stretches of national highways. Screed is favored for its precision and ability to produce high-build markings that last long, even in high-traffic areas.
Rua Seguridad’s thermoplastic paint works seamlessly with screed systems, offering a consistent finish and excellent durability.
2. Spray
Spraying uses compressed air to apply a thinner layer of molten thermoplastic paint. It’s often used for rapid installations or maintenance repainting where speed is essential. While not as thick or long-lasting as screed or extrusion, spray application is highly effective for urban projects with limited closure windows.
Rua Seguridad’s spray-compatible options ensure fast-drying, bright lines using proven thermoplastic road marking paint specification standards.
3. Extrusion
Extrusion is best for expressways and high-speed roads. The paint is extruded through a high-pressure nozzle to form raised, tactile markings. This method ensures maximum visibility and reflectivity, especially when paired with glass beads. These applications are designed for durability and tactile feedback.
Rua Seguridad’s high-performance thermoplastic traffic paint is engineered to perform exceptionally well under this rigorous application method.
Formula
1. High-Adhesion
Adhesion is key for surfaces with uneven textures or aged substrates. High-adhesion thermoplastic paints are ideal for road projects in areas with varied or rough pavement conditions. Our hydrocarbon-based product exhibits excellent bonding strength to both asphalt and concrete. These paints are engineered to resist peeling, flaking, and wear, even under intense tropical conditions, making them ideal for long-term visibility on rural highways and municipal roads.
2. Fast-Dry
Fast-dry formulas are crucial for time-sensitive urban roadwork. Rua Seguridad’s Legacy Alkyd line uses a quick-drying, solvent-free alkyd-based formulation that allows roads to reopen within minutes. These formulas reduce the risk of traffic disruption, improve worker safety, and enable nighttime or emergency applications.
When working with strict project deadlines or limited traffic control, choosing a fast-dry variant ensures compliance without delay. Fast-drying formulas also reduce environmental exposure time.
Road Conditions
1. Traffic Load
Traffic load is a primary factor in choosing thermoplastic paint for road marking. High-traffic areas such as expressways, intersections, and main arteries require fast-dry, abrasion-resistant paints like our Legacy Alkyd. Moderate or light-use roads can benefit from more budget-friendly hydrocarbon options that still offer strong durability. For specific zones, such as crosswalks and turning lanes, preformed markings provide added visibility and precision.
2. Climate
Climate affects the lifespan of paint for road marking. The Philippines’ tropical weather, characterized by high humidity and intense UV exposure, requires paint that resists fading, softening, and cracking. Rua Seguridad’s entire line is tested for tropical durability, but fast-dry alkyd variants perform best during wet seasons, while high-adhesion hydrocarbon formulas excel in dry, hot regions.
3. Substrate Type
Substrate type (asphalt or concrete) affects bonding and longevity. Concrete surfaces often require primer before application. Our paint options include formulations for various substrates, ensuring strong adhesion regardless of surface type. Preformed thermoplastics are especially useful for older or irregular surfaces.
Thermoplastic Paint: A Cut Above the Rest
While there are several types of road marking paint, thermoplastic is widely regarded as the gold standard. Water-based paints, solvent-based paints, and cold-applied plastic (CAP) paints are commonly used for temporary lines, minor projects, or areas with low to moderate traffic. These options offer lower upfront costs and are easier to apply with minimal equipment. However, they tend to wear out quickly under heavy traffic, are more prone to fading, and require more frequent maintenance.
Thermoplastic, on the other hand, offers superior adhesion, visibility, and durability. It withstands harsh tropical weather and heavy vehicle loads far better than conventional paints. While the initial investment may be higher, the reduced need for repainting, improved safety, and compliance with regulations make thermoplastic paint the best choice for long-term value.
Rua Seguridad’s Thermoplastic Paint Range
Do you have an upcoming road construction project? We offer different thermoplastic paints for road marking to cater to your specific needs. Here’s a guide comparing Rua Seguridad’s road marking solutions:
Hydrocarbon Thermoplastic Paint
Hydrocarbon thermoplastic paint is a cost-effective and reliable solution for general-purpose applications. It utilizes a hydrocarbon-based resin for strong adhesion to asphalt and concrete, and is highly resistant to tropical heat, rain, and UV exposure. This variant offers balanced performance, retaining visibility and durability for extended periods without needing frequent repainting. It’s an ideal choice for local government projects, barangay roads, and provincial highways where durability and budget are both priorities.
Although curing times are slightly longer, and it may not perform well in cold climates, its proven strength and value make it a go-to for contractors looking to optimize lifecycle costs.
Best for:
- General-purpose road markings
- Municipal roads and DPWH-funded projects
- Moderate traffic zones
Legacy Alkyd Thermoplastic Paint
Legacy Alkyd is built for demanding environments with high vehicular volume. It features an alkyd-based, fast-dry formula that significantly reduces installation time, making it ideal for projects with tight deadlines or in active traffic zones. The paint’s high gloss finish resists dirt pickup and tire marks, maintaining clear visibility long after application. Enhanced with Rua’s proprietary glass beads, this paint ensures excellent night-time reflectivity and compliance with thermoplastic road marking standards.
Best for:
- National highways and expressways
- Transport terminals and city roads
- Fast turnaround, high-visibility applications
Preformed Thermoplastic Paint
Preformed thermoplastic offers unmatched efficiency and flexibility. Delivered in pre-cut, ready-to-apply sheets, these markings contain embedded glass beads and require only heat to activate bonding. The sheets can be customized with arrows, letters, symbols, and lane indicators using high-precision laser cutting. Preformed paint is ideal for quick installations in high-visibility zones such as crosswalks, bike lanes, or school zones.
It eliminates the need for on-site melting and extensive equipment, significantly cutting labor and setup time. This variant is also 10x more reflective than traditional road paint, enhancing safety in low-light or adverse conditions. It’s the preferred solution for fast, symbol-heavy, or night-critical road work.
Best for:
- High-visibility pedestrian and school zones
- Custom traffic symbols and emergency repairs
- Low-light, high-reflectivity requirements
Start Your Next Road Marking Project with Us
With so many types of road marking paint to choose from, selecting the right one may seem complex, but it doesn’t have to be. Rua Seguridad is here to help engineers and contractors determine the best product that suits your project requirements by application method, formulation, road condition, and traffic demand. We deliver a superior line of field-tested thermoplastic road marking paint in the Philippines, ensuring your markings remain compliant, safe, and cost-effective.
Contact us today for more information about thermoplastic road marking paint specifications.
