Important Points For Painting Lines Get your machine lined up by using the Just stay one-quarter inch off the chalk line or over the chalk line, whichever the case may be. The chalk line is only a guide. tip guard Roll your machine back six inches before the starting point Focus on the starting point and the tip guard simultaneously Keep your head still and walk with normal strides Squeeze the trigger when you’re direct-ly over the starting point Focus on where the paint hits the chalk line Be mindful of your stopping point and slow down when you approach it Let go of the trigger when you’re right at the stopping point. focused for the remaining length of the line. If, for whatever reason, you missed the chalk line, don’t take corrective action; keep going straight. Stopping Let’s say you’re coming to the end of a 36-foot line. Do this: Remain focused on the paint hit-ting the chalk line. Then, when the stopping point comes into your peripheral vision, slow down slightly and visualize it. Be mindful of these three points: Don’t only focus on the paint hitting the chalk line or you’ll miss the stop-ping point Don’t only focus on the stopping point or you’ll meander from the chalk line Don’t focus exclusively between one or the other or the outcome will be less than ideal. When you see the stopping point coming into your peripheral vision, think to yourself: “There you are; I see you.” Remain focused on where the paint hits the chalk line and remember that you can slow down. I don’t use a four-inch tip to spray a four-inch line; I use a six-inch tip to spray a four-inch line. I just lower the gun to about six inches off the ground, which alleviates any wind prob-lems and makes the focusing a bit easier. Lastly, there are times — even now, after thousands of jobs — that I miss my target. But, it’s always because I’m either hurry-ing or because I glance away at the wrong time. The culprit is simply human error. Be easy on yourself; you’ll get better and more profitable with practice. CM Dan Zurcher is the president of American Striping Company. For more information, visit www.AmericanStriping.com. Zurcher is the author of How I Stripe a Parking Lot… 16 Years… By Myself, a book now in its third edition. He has also produced numerous how-to videos and manufacturers a line of parking lot stencils and striping-related products that are available through his company website. FOR LONG-TERM CONTROL Circle Product Information no. 203 on page 32 www.cmmonline.com 31
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