Tru Mark Model E-100 3-in-1 Sprayer

We received a recent questions from a current Tru Mark Model E-100 12-volt battery operated diaphragm pump field marking unit on the use for pavement striping. "We have a E-100 sprayer and would like to use it to mark our parking lot. What tip is needed for paint to exit."

Early on Tru Mark investigated on whether the Model E-100 could effectively apply pavement striping paint. Through experimentation we came up with some 'rules of the road' so to speak when using this unit for pavement striping operations. If given an option use white versus yellow pavement striping paint.

You can use the same spray tip that you have been using for field marking (80-04 Spray Tip, 80 degree spray fan, 0.4 gallon per minute output at ~40 psi).

However there are couple E-100 operational considerations to take into account for pavement striping.

- First we recommend plugging one of the output spray nozzles (preferably the front nozzle body). If you don't have a brass plug you can use a circle piece of thin cardboard to fit inside the front cap on spray nozzle, just remove the spray tip and check valve.

- You might remove the check valve from the remaining spay nozzle assembly to minimize any back pressure this requires (5 psi). Unfortunately this will result in some dripping from the tip. I always plug back on the unit about 6-12 inches at the end of the line before I move on to allow for some of this dripping.

- More importantly when using pavement striping paint you'll need to dilute the paint to get it to flow through the system. For white I recommend diluting up to a half gallon of water to one gallon paint. For yellow you will need to get half to one gallon of water to one gallon of paint You may have to experiment a little to achieve the optimum dilution. Normally pavement striping paint is not diluted however the 12-volt diaphragm pump technology will not effectively work without dilution.

- Instead of water you can use16 ounces of latex paint conditioner for every gallon of paint used. This especially helpful when the temperature get colder.

- You will likely need to clamp off the return line going back into the 5-gallon tank to increase the pump head pressure. A small adjustable Vise grip tool works well.

-  The height of the nozzle bracket assembly needs to be lowered as you don't want any of the paint touching the paint shield assembly.

For synthetic turf striping we've expanded on our tips to include the following.

- Each time you use field marking paint you should ensure the paint is will mixed due to settling and separation of some of the ingredients.  We like to use an electric drill or cordless drill with a paint paddle mixing accessory to help mix the paint thoroughly. Most hardware stores selling paint will have a paint paddle.

- For the low pressure low volume 12-volt diaphragm pump operations you should dilute the paint at 1 gallon of water for every one gallon of paint (1:1) to ensure a well defined spray fan from the spray tip(s). When diluting the paint pour water from and existing filled pail into the pail of paint. Do not inject air into the paint mixture (e.g., filling the paint pail with a water hose while the water flow is exposed to the air).

- When applying synthetic turf paint (or any bulk water based paint) (less dilution) you need to prime the pump by using water first before putting the intake line into the paint tank with paint. You can use a 5-gallon tank with water next to the unit to help with this process. We recommend using a small pan or container to catch the water and paint before spraying the solution on the turf.

- If you are using synthetic turf paint you may not want the paint shoe guard/shield touching the turf surface and collecting paint.  Rotate the shoe guards by adjusting the set collar with the Allen head hex wrench for this adjustment. Loosen and then rotate the set collar and retighten the Allen head hex bolt.

- You will likely need to adjust the spray head clamping block to ensure the width of the spray line based on the mowed height of the grass/ synthetic tuf. You'll need to experiment whether to rotate the clamping block or extend or retract the spray nozzle bracket. Once again you'll use a hex head Allen wrench to make this adjustment.

- Since there are two nozzle bodies on the E-100 it may be appropriate to block one of the nozzle bodies. Remove the spray tip and check valve from the front nozzle body and replace it with a brass disc or other circular disc and retighten the brass nozzle cap. This will increase the pressure to the remaining tip to improve the width of the spray fan on the remaining spray tip.

- After completing the line striping operation ensure that the unit is thoroughly cleaned by rinsing the unit with clean water. Also remove the check valve with screen and spray tip for cleaning and then reattach.  You should run water through the system for several minutes. You can use a diluted solution of Simple Green biodegradable cleaning agent in the rinse solution to help remove the paint residue. Also very helpful is a generic product called "Pump Protector" normally sold in paint supply stores.  This product is used by commercial painters to clean their pump compressors. The product helps keep the latex paint from building up in the unit and can be left in the unit until its next use.