3
All Weather Paint
Application Guidelines for Elements and Glass Beads
on a High-Build Waterborne Traffic Marking Paint
Information Folder 5.22
January 2010
Description
Application Recommendations
3M™ All Weather Paint is a traffic paint system
consisting of high-build waterborne paint and
3M bonded core elements. 3M all weather paint
incorporates a new optical technology intended for
use on high-build waterborne traffic marking paint.
This system also utilizes second drop glass beads
to produce pavement markings. 3M all weather
paint provides the only inherently wet reflective
performance for a drop-on bead system.
Proper application is essential for completion of
a successful project. Below are some application
recommendations that should be followed.
Bonded core elements
3M’s bonded core elements consist of a blend of
microcrystalline ceramic beads embedded on a
center core to provide optimal performance in both
wet and dry conditions. The bonded core elements
are specifically treated for application onto the
paint as the first drop of a doubledrop system.
The elements are visible dry, during a rainfall and
after rainfall, providing the motorist visibility in all
weather conditions.
Paint
The all weather paint is manufactured with a high
build polymer emulsion. 3M all weather paint is
ideal for situations where existing waterborne paint
equipment is available. The all weather visibility,
ease of clean-up, enhanced worker safety and
reduced disposal costs are inherent features of 3M
all weather paint.
Second Drop Glass Beads
A second drop of glass beads is necessary to
improve the durability of the finished marking
and to provide increased visibility during the
dry conditions. Improved dry reflectivity can be
expected as the size and quality of the second drop
bead is increased.
Temperature
Application of 3M all weather paint and glass
beads should only be applied when road and
air temperatures are above 50°F and rising and
expected to be >50°F (10ºC) for a minimum of 4-6
hours after application. The overnight temperatures
must not fall below 35°F (2ºC), otherwise the curing
and durability of the high build emulsion will be
compromised.
Moisture
Road surfaces must be clean and relatively dry prior
to application. After periods of prolonged rainfall
on pavement surfaces, use extra caution to verify
the pavement is relatively dry prior to application.
The markings shall be applied when conditions of
relative humidity are no greater than 85% and must
remain less than 85% throughout the first 4-6 hours
after application.
Rain Event – Paint must be allowed to dry per
manufacturer’s recommendation before rain to
prevent wash out.
Oil, Debris and Dust
At time of application, the pavement surface must
be free of oil, dirt, dust, grease and similar foreign
materials.
New Portland Cement Concrete
Curing compound on new Portland Cement
Concrete must be completely removed prior to the
application of paint. Sandblasting, shotblasting,
and grinding are acceptable methods to remove the
curing compound.
Table 1. Element Application Rates
New concrete typically has a weak surface layer of
powder-rich Portland cement material on the top
surface. Even if the new concrete surface was not
treated with curing compound, the surface will still
need to be prepared using a grinder, sandblaster, or
shotblaster to remove this thin layer of material to
expose a solid concrete surface with better surface
integrity.
Element Application Rates
Minimum for
smooth surface
Improved durability
and/or rough
pavement surfaces
Pounds per 4-inch
linear foot
0.011 lbs
0.022 lbs
Pounds per mile,
4-inch width
58.2 lbs.
116.4 pounds
Grams per 4-inch
linear foot
5 grams per
4-inch lf
10 grams per
4-inch lf
Pounds per gallon
25 mils, 190
theoretical feet
per gallon*
2.1 lbs/gal
4.1 lbs/gal
Units
New Asphalt Cement Concrete
New asphalt should ideally be allowed to age several
months before striping with all weather paint.
Standard Series Elements Recommended
Material Thickness and Element Bead
Application Rates
* 25 mils wet thickness
Table 2. Glass Bead Application Rates
Applying all weather paint to the proper thickness
and reflective media application rates is important
to achieve optimal performance of the finished
product.
Glass Bead Application Rates
Units
Glass Bead
The method for checking the binder thickness is to
apply a test line on an aluminum panel. Test with
wet film thickness gauge.
Pounds per 4-inch
linear foot
0.033 lbs/4-inch lf
Grams per 4-inch
linear foot
15 grams per 4-inch lf
Reflective Media Application Rates
All Weather Paint (25 mil applications)
Pounds per gallon
25 mils, 190 theoretical
feet per gallon*
Element and glass bead application rates for
standard series elements application are shown in
Tables 1, 2 and 3.
6.3 lbs/gal
* 25 mils wet thickness
Table 3. Standard Series Element Improved Durability Application Rates
25 mil Application Parameters
English
Metric
10 grams/foot of linear 4-inch line
equals 30 grams/square ft
322 grams/square meter
0.84 - 2.0 Millimeters
840-2000 Microns
15 grams/foot of linear 4-inch line
equals 45 grams/Square ft
483 grams /square meter
Paint Applied Thickness**
-Wet
25 mils
635 Microns
Approximate Paint Applied Thickness
-Dry
15 mils
381 Microns
190 feet of 4-inch line per gallon
equals 64.3 square feet/gallon
5.97 square meters/gallon
Element Drop Rate for Rough or
Open Pavement Surfaces
Element Size
Glass Bead Drop
Paint Coverage at 25 mils wet, 15 mils dry
Paint Coverage at 635 micron wet,
381 microns dry
** Increased paint usage may be necessary to compensate for increased surface area characteristic of rough or open pavement surfaces. Please
contact 3M Pavement Marking Technical Service for more details when increased paint thickness is necessary.
2
“S” Series Element Recommended Material
Thickness and Element Bead Application
Rates
Element and glass bead application rates for “S”
Series Elements are shown in Tables 4, 5 and 6.
Table 5. Glass Bead Application Rates
Table 4. Element Application Rate
Element Application Rates
Glass Bead Application Rates
Minimum for
smooth surface
Improved durability
and/or rough
pavement surfaces
Pounds per 4-inch
linear foot
0.011 lbs
0.022 lbs
Pounds per mile,
4-inch width
58.2 lbs.
116.4 pounds
Grams per 4-inch
linear foot
5 grams per
4-inch lf
10 grams per
4-inch lf
Units
Pounds per gallon
20 mils, 240
theoretical feet
per gallon*
Units
Glass Bead
Pounds per 4-inch
linear foot
0.033 lbs/4-inch lf
Grams per 4-inch
linear foot
15 grams per 4-inch lf
Pounds per gallon
20 mils, 240 theoretical
feet per gallon*
7.9 lbs/gal
* 20 mils wet thickness
2.65 lbs/gal
5.3 lbs/gal
* 20 mils wet thickness
Table 6. “S” Series Elements Improved Durability Application Rates
20 mil Application Parameters
English
Metric
10 grams/foot of linear 4 inch line
equals 30 grams/square ft
322 grams/square meter
0.600 - 2.00 Millimeters
600-2000 Microns
15 grams/foot of linear 4 inch line
equals 45 grams/Square ft
483 grams /square meter
Paint Applied Thickness**
-Wet
20 mils
508 Microns
Approximate Paint Applied Thickness
-Dry
13 mils
330 Microns
240 feet of 4 inch line per gallon
equals 80 square feet/gallon
7.43 square meters/gallon
Element Drop Rate for Rough or
Open Pavement Surfaces
Element Size
Glass Bead Drop
Paint Coverage at 20 mils wet, 13 mils dry
Paint Coverage at 508 micron wet,
330 microns dry
** Increased paint usage may be necessary to compensate for increased surface area characteristic of rough or open pavement surfaces. Please
contact 3M Pavement Marking Technical Service for more details when increased paint thickness is necessary.
3
Existing Pavement Markings
Element Gradations
3M all weather paint can be applied to a variety of
existing pavement markings. The user should verify
that the existing markings are well adhered prior to
application of the paint and wet reflective elements.
There is no need to grind off well adhered existing
pavement markings prior to applying 3M all weather
paint.
There are two gradations for the bonded core
elements, standard size and “S” Series. “S” Series
is slightly finer gradation of elements compared to
standard. Element gradations shown in Table 7.
Table 7. Element Gradations
Element Gradations
Mass Percent Passing (ASTM D1214)
General Equipment Operating Procedures
Maintaining spray guns, bead and element guns,
and paint trucks and equipment in good working
order before and during an application reduces the
chances for product application problems.
The equipment shall be capable of producing
markings that meet the specifications contained
herein using the materials specified in Section II
Materials.
Mobile truck mounted applicators shall be capable
of traveling at a uniform, predetermined speed over
variable road grades to produce uniform application
of striping material, following straight lines and
making normal curves in a true arc. The equipment
shall be capable of air blasting the pavement,
applying the stripe and immediately dropping the
bonded core elements and glass beads in a single
pass at speeds up to 8 mph (13 km/hr).
US Mesh
Micron
Standard
Elements
“S” Series
12
1700
80-100
85-100
14
1410
45-80
70-96
16
1180
5-40
50-90
18
1000
0-20
5-60
20
850
0-7
0-25
30
600
0-7
Gradation of the Second Drop of Glass Bead
The gradation of the second drop must meet or be
within the limits in Table 8.
Table 8. Gradation of the Second Drop of Glass Bead
Common Bead Types with Liquid Pavement Markings
Bead Gradations - Mass Percent Passing (ASTM D1214)
Walk-behind cart applicators shall be capable of
uniform application of striping material at walking
speeds, following straight lines and making tight
turns symbols and legends. Mobile equipment must
be available to air blast the areas immediately prior
to hand cart application. The walk-behind cart
shall be capable of applying the liquid binder and
immediately dropping the bonded core elements and
glass beads in a single pass at walking speeds.
Missouri
Specification
Type P**
Utah
Performance
Specification
US Mesh
Micron
14
1410
18
1000
20
850
90-97
30
600
60-87
0-30
40
425
50
300
0-15
0-5
70
212
0-5
65-80
** A minimum of 15% of total weight shall be from direct melt glass.
All +30 US Mesh beads shall be 85% minimum rounds and minimum
crush strength of 30 lb. in accordance with ASTM D1213
4
Quality of Second Drop Glass Beads
Storage and Material Handling
The required glass beads should have an index of
refraction of 1.5 when tested by the immersion
method at 25ºC (77ºF). The glass beads shall be
surface treated for optimal performance with
waterborne traffic marking paint. The glass beads
shall have an overall minimum of 70% Rounds as
measured according to ASTM D1155. The surface
of the glass beads shall be free of pits and scratches.
The glass beads retained on the #40 U.S. Mesh Sieve
(425 microns) shall have minimum crush strength of
30 pounds in accordance with ASTM D1213.
All vehicles with product on board must have MSDS
sheets available for the product being transported.
Store 3MTM All Weather Paint components in a
cool, dry, well ventilated area indoors.
Use materials within one year from date of receipt.
Paint must not be allowed to freeze.
Health and Safety Information
Read all health hazard, precautionary, and first
aid statements found in the Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) and/or product label of chemicals
prior to handling or use. Follow all precautions
on the MSDS during the filling, use or cleaning
of the application equipment. This product is
intended for outdoor use. Application in tunnels or
enclosed areas may necessitate the use of additional
precautions.
Application Record
Application record cards should be placed on the
project across the location where the new pavement
marking will be applied. Tape the application card
to the road using duct tape (Figure 1). Pick the card
up after the application has passed across the card
and the material has cured. Attach the application
card to the road with the long direction of the card
parallel to the direction of application.
Literature Reference
Product Bulletin 3M™ All Weather Paint
Product Bulletin 3M™ All Weather Elements
Figure 1 - Application Card After Application
For situations not specifically covered in this
folder, or questions regarding application of 3M
all weather paint, it is the responsibility of the
installer to contact the appropriate 3M sales
representative or 3M technical service representative
at 1-800-533-1380 for guidance.
The application card is a record of the application
on each project and is useful to identify any
problems that may have occurred during application.
Application cards are available from 3M and can
be requested by calling 3M Technical Service at
1-800-553-1380.
5
FOR INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE
CALL:
1-800-553-1380
IN CANADA CALL:
1-800-265-1840
Internet:
www.3M.com/tss
3M assumes no responsibility for any injury, loss or damage arising out of the use of a product that is not of our manufacture. Where reference
is made in literature to a commercially available product, made by another manufacturer, it shall be the user’s responsibility to ascertain the
precautionary measures for its use outlined by the manufacturer.
Important Notice
All statements, technical information and recommendations contained herein are based on tests we believe to be reliable, but the accuracy
or completeness thereof is not guaranteed, and the following is made in lieu of all warranties, or conditions express or implied. Seller’s and
manufacturer’s only obligation shall be to replace such quantity of the product proved to be defective. Neither seller nor manufacturer shall
be liable for any injury, loss or damage, direct, special or consequential, arising out of the use of or the inability to use the product. Before
using, user shall determine the suitability of the product for his/her intended use, and user assumes all risk and liability whatsoever in
connection therewith. Statements or recommendations not contained herein shall have no force or effect unless in an agreement signed by
officers of seller and manufacturer.
3M is a trademark of 3M. Used under license in Canada.
3
Traffic Safety Systems Division
3M Center, Building 235-3A-09
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
1-800-553-1380
www.3M.com/tss
3M Canada Company
P.O. Box 5757
London, Ontario N6A 4T1
1-800-3MHELPS
3M México, S.A. de C.V.
Av. Santa Fe No. 55
Col. Santa Fe,
Del. Alvaro Obregón
México, D.F. 01210
Please recycle.
3M 2010. All rights reserved.
Bolger 10010552
Electronic Only