More and more club and youth sports organizations are finding it difficult to schedule events on synthetic turf fields because the field owners do not want paint applied. In many cases they are experiencing a ghosting issue when not using a good cleaning agent. Also the cleaning process adds additional labor costs to remove temporary paint lines.

Tru Mark Athletic Field Marker has been marketing liquid chalk, CheapSeats Double Play, product that is applied similar to a traditional field marking paint product yet performs similar to a traditional dry chalk product. One paint manufacturer considers this a "white wash" product, similar to a Huckleberry Finn picket fence operation.

Here are some typical questions and answers we've been fielding over the past six months. We've posted liquid chalk application images with comments.

I am looking for information about your liquid chalk for synthetic fields.

What type of sprayer is required? Typically a airless sprayer is preferred, and one that is low volume low pressure will work the best (trying to avoid over application and “driving” the liquid into the infield material).

How abrasive is the material to the pump? The liquid chalk is not any more abrasive than traditional field marking paint. It contains most of the solids found in good quality field marking paints, it just does not contain the binders/adhesives of these paints.

How long does the line last? This question is hard to answer. It depends on the weather and the traffic on the turf. When diluted one gallon of water to one gallon of liquid chalk you should experience similar results to a traditional dry chalk used on the base paths of a softball and baseball field. If you scuff the material it will disappear just like powdered chalk (once dry). If it rains the chalk will dissipate as well. If you continue to add chalk prior to the removal you will gradually build up an accumulation.

How does it hold up in inclement weather? If it rains hard then you should expect the lines to disappear.

Does the line truly disappear with no ghosting on the rubber crumbs? We have had good reports from customers that have used the product over the course of 4 months. As long as you try and avoid over application (try to prevent as much as possible having the material to come in contact with the infield (crumb rubber and sand) then there should be very little if any ghosting. That is why we recommend low volume lower pressure, such as a 12 volt diaphragm pump technology solution which typically produces less than 40 psi as the spray tip(s).

Right now Tru Mark provides only the white color but is working on yellow, blue, red, and black colored chalk. Check back soon for the new color offerings.
http://www.athleticfieldmarker.com/Products/Paint.html#LiquidChalk