What do you do to remove field marking paint from a natural grass turf sports field? That is the question forwarded recently.

"We are a major stadium in Australia that caters for rugby and soccer games.

As these games are televised it is important that the previous sports lines are removed.

Do you have a removable paint for natural turf?
The turf we have is Bermuda couch which is over sown in Winter with Rye seed."

Now to some options.

Most turf paints applied to natural turf are removed by mowing the lines off as the grass grows. One of the keys is to minimize the spray depth on the grass blades which would suggest a lower pressure lower volume airless sprayer system.

I’ve used Simple Green cleaning solution, environmentally-sensitive non-toxic cleaner/degreaser, to help remove field marking paint but it would need some brushing which would most likely damage the grass. I've even added a little Simple Green to the diluted paint solution without turf grass impact and the paint appeared to be removed quicker when I sprayed water under pressure (80 psi).

Another option is aerosol chalk. It is applied just like aerosol paint yet performs like traditional powdered chalk (calcium carbonate or marble dust). Once it dries it will be removed through foot traffic and water.

We also offer a bulk chalk solution that can be diluted and applied using an airless sprayer. This can be shipped by air cargo with less restrictions since it would not be pressurized. Removal would be similar to aerosol chalk.

To help break down the paint/chalk on the natural grass you could use an mechanical brush system, in addition to using the Simple Green and water. One popular model is the Stihl KM series KombiMotors Interchangeable KombiSystem, KB-KM Bristle Brush.