How Often Should Line Marking Be Repainted?

Last Tuesday, a property manager from a shopping centre in Laverton North sent us photos of their carpark. The white lines had faded to a dull grey. Bay boundaries were barely visible. Three customer complaints in one week about unclear parking spaces.

"We painted these lines four years ago," she said. "The contractor told us they'd last six years minimum." They didn't. Not even close.

Here's the thing most facility managers don't know: there's no universal answer to how often you should repaint. A basement carpark with 50 vehicle movements daily might last 4+ years. A busy shopping centre carpark with 800+ movements daily? You're looking at 18-24 months maximum.

Material Choice Makes a Massive Difference

We've completed 5,000+ line marking projects since 2009. The single biggest factor affecting lifespan isn't traffic or weather. It's the material specification.

Waterborne Paint Lifespan

Standard waterborne paint lasts 18-24 months in normal conditions. That's roughly 150,000-200,000 vehicle movements before degradation becomes noticeable. A medical centre carpark with 120 vehicles daily might last 32 months. A Bunnings carpark with 600+ movements daily? Just 19 months.

Thermoplastic Line Marking Duration

Grade A thermoplastic lasts 5-8 years in high-traffic environments. Sometimes longer in ideal conditions. We converted a logistics warehouse carpark to thermoplastic in 2016. Eight years later, those lines are still compliant with AS/NZS 2890.1:2021.

Traffic Volume Guidelines

Low Traffic (Under 100 movements daily):

Waterborne paint: 30-36 months
Thermoplastic: 8-10 years

Medium Traffic (100-300 movements daily):

Waterborne paint: 24-30 months
Thermoplastic: 6-8 years

High Traffic (300-600 movements daily):

Waterborne paint: 18-24 months
Thermoplastic: 5-7 years

Very High Traffic (600+ movements daily):

Waterborne paint: 12-18 months
Thermoplastic: 4-6 years

Climate and UV Exposure Impact

Australian UV levels destroy line marking faster than anywhere else we've worked. A shopping centre carpark in Cairns needed repainting after just 14 months. Same waterborne paint we use in Melbourne lasts 24 months. Covered carparks extend lifespan by 40-60%.

Warning Signs Your Lines Need Repainting

Lines don't reflect car headlights clearly at night
White has faded to grey
Line width worn to 60mm or less (standard is 100mm)
Paint flaking or peeling in patches
Drivers creating their own unofficial bay boundaries

Proactive vs Reactive Repainting

Proactive approach: Schedule repainting at 75-80% of expected lifespan. You control timing, avoid urgent callouts, and get better pricing. Reactive approach: Wait until lines are completely failed. You're paying emergency rates and risking safety incidents while waiting.

Get a repainting schedule recommendation for your site

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does waterborne line marking typically last?

Waterborne paint typically lasts 18-24 months in standard traffic conditions. In high-traffic shopping centres expect 12-18 months. Low-traffic areas can stretch to 30 months. Covered basement carparks can last 3+ years.

Is thermoplastic worth the extra cost?

For high-traffic carparks (500+ vehicle movements daily), absolutely. Thermoplastic lasts 5-8 years compared to waterborne's 18-24 months. If you're repainting waterborne every 18 months, thermoplastic pays for itself after about 3 years.

Can I just repaint over existing faded lines?

Not recommended. Painting over failing old markings typically fails within 6-12 months. We strip existing markings first, clean thoroughly, then apply fresh markings. Yes, it costs more, but your new markings will actually last.