www.stma.org July 2014 | SportsTurf 41
Keeping the spraying clean after EVERY use
Using high quality paint
Operator experience-practice makes perfect
Kevin Yeiser,
Director of Grounds & Athletic Facilities
Lebanon valley College (PA)
Using quality paint
Use good application equipment. Line painters aren't always
the best to use for logo work.
Staff that pay attention to detail and take pride in what they're
doing. Those two things always show in the end result, especially
with logos. No logo is better than a poorly painted one.
We haven't had too many disasters but I talked to a colleague
at another college where an entire 5-gallon pail of paint was spilled
on a synthetic field. It occurred during the hot quick drying days of
late summer. Even after cleaning numerous times a shadow could
be seen for quite a while.
Jeff HAAg, Sports Turf Specialist
John Carroll University (OH)
Make sure the painter you use has been thoroughly cleaned,
spray tips, filters, and hoses prior to each use, and after the painter
has been used. I go by the same method in rinsing out the machine
as we are required by pesticide containers; I triple rinse my machine
with water.
When painting logos, start from the inside and work your way
out.
One cost effective way to save money on small logos that are
no larger than 48 inches by 40 inches is to use cardboard. I save
our cardboard that is shipped with our pallets of salt we use in
the winter on our campus sidewalks. All you need is a ruler to
measure the logo and a utility knife. I use them to make my logos
on the softball outfield. The best part is that it costs you nothing,
just your time. They could possibly be used for football fields as
well if you use small logos near the 20 yard lines or in other areas
of the field.
Fortunately, I have never had a major bad experience. When I
was at Bowling Green State University we used to paint the num-
bers white and border them with orange by using a 2-inch roller and
roll the paint around the numbers. Sometimes we used students to
help us do this, and one time they knocked over the bucket of paint.
Because of that I would suggest to always have a bucket of clear
water and rags on hand to help dilute and clean up any spills. ■
