FIELD SCIENCE
24 SportsTurf | July 2015 www.sportsturfonline.com
FACILITY & OPERATIONS
ments and removal with a simple wet rag or water hose. Spray
chalk is available in some basic colors: white, yellow, red and
blue.
For end zones I try to get the text printed in the actual
font in a larger scale. Mark the center of the end zones and
string top and bottom of the text. I try not to go larger than 20
feet. Once the start of the first letter is established, set a tape
measure at the starting point at the top and bottom. With the
engineer ruler measure and mark the start and stops of each
letter and other edges. We use a 1½-foot square tubing to the
height of the letter and then use our "Disc" to paint an outline
on all of the edges. Then fill in the letter.
I use two different methods when laying out and painting
text. The first method is what I refer to as a text box. Usually
the letters are maxed at 3 feet high. I get a piece of flat card-
board, cut out the desired height and width, and by using an
inverted aerosol can I can freehand a letter with a basic font
staying inside the cutout, using the edge of the cardboard as
my straight edges. For bigger text, 6 feet or so, I make a frame
out of ¾-inch PVC with elbow and create a square or rectan-
gle. We use the "Disc" with a tip size on the airless that has the
desired width of spray and basically do the same process.
The second method was created by luck. I went to pick up
new football numbers from my sign company that routed
them on HDPE 1/8-inch thick. They mentioned to me that
they made a whole alphabet set for a track painter and had all
of the positives they cut out! "Do you want them?" they asked.
Yes! With a little duct taping we now have the entire 3-foot high
alphabet that allows us to quickly spell out a slogan. We usually
trace the letter with a contrasting color and then fill it in with
another color. This gives us a professional looking font. I use
my football numbers when doing dates for a logo with numbers
0 – 5, and had the sign company make a 6, 7 and 8 (the upside
down 6 can be used for a 9). Also many number kits come with
a G that can be used for "GO" with the 0. ■
ST
Mike Hebrard is president of Athletic Field Design,
Clackamas, OR, www.athleticfield.com.
