How Long Does a Line Marking Project Take?

Car park & external line marking at night—truck marking with ‘M18S’ arrow and cones.

If you’re planning new markings for a car park, warehouse, or public space, the first question is often: how long does line marking take? The answer depends on site size, layout complexity, materials and curing, surface condition, access, and (for external works) weather. With the right plan, downtime can be kept to a minimum.

At a Glance: Typical Timeframes.

  • Small car parks / single warehouse zones: a few hours to 1 day

  • Medium commercial sites: 1–2 days

  • Large warehouses or multi-level/multi-site programmes: 2–5 days (layout dependent)

  • Road projects: phased by area to keep traffic moving

  • We commonly schedule out-of-hours/night works and use fast-curing systems so areas can reopen quickly.

What Affects Project Duration?.

1) Size & Layout Complexity

Simple bay refreshes are fast. Dense layouts (multi-level car parks, logistics yards, busy warehouse routes) take longer due to symbols, crossings, wording, safety hatching, and edging.

2) Materials & Curing Times

  • Thermoplastic: heated, bonds and sets within minutes—very fast reopen.

  • MMA (cold plastic): typically 30–60 mins to cure; excellent durability.

  • Paint/Epoxy/PU: cure varies with temperature/humidity—allow extra time for full hardness.

3) Surface Condition & Preparation

Cleaning, shot blasting, priming, and removing old lines add time—but they’re essential to adhesion and long service life. Skipping prep usually means earlier rework.

4) Weather (External Works)

Rain, low temperature, or surface moisture can delay application or extend curing—especially for thermoplastic and water-based systems. We plan around accurate forecasts and build contingency into the schedule.

5) Access & Traffic Management

Live sites need phasing, segregation, and permits/briefings. Good access windows (e.g., nights, shift gaps) shorten overall duration.

How We Minimise Disruption.

  • Out-of-hours/night programmes to keep operations running

  • Phased areas so parts of your site stay open

  • Fast-curing systems matched to your reopen targets

  • Clear traffic & pedestrian management for safe flow

  • Pre-start survey & method statement so everyone knows the plan

Client Checklist: Speed the Job Up.

  • Confirm layouts early: bays, symbols, colours, wording.

  • Clear work zones: vehicles, pallets, stock moved in advance.

  • Fix critical defects: potholes, delamination, standing water.

  • Share access windows: delivery peaks, shift changes, quiet periods.

  • Agree reopen times: we’ll select materials to hit your turnaround.

Example Scenarios (Typical).

  • Retail car park refresh (25–40 bays): evening start, reopen next morning (thermoplastic).

  • Warehouse reline (walkways + forklift routes): 1–2 nights, phased aisles; reopen between shifts (MMA/epoxy).

  • EV bay installation (6–10 bays): same-day with green surfacing + symbols; cones removed after cure window.

Why Choose C&R.

As one of the UK’s leading specialists in line marking, surface preparation, coatings, and cleaning, C&R delivers expert advice, professional results, and long-lasting performance nationwide.

Over 30 Years’ Experience

Trusted nationwide by major brands and local authorities.

Fully Accredited & Insured

Working to UK safety and environmental standards.

Complete Start-to-Finish Service

From design and preparation to marking and aftercare.

Nationwide Coverage

Responsive teams operating across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Start Your Project with C&R.

Contact C&R today for expert advice and a free quote.