What temperature is thermoplastic applied at?

Thermoplastic is heated to 180–200°C in an oil-jacketed kettle and applied at 170–190°C to ensure proper fusion with the substrate.

Can thermoplastic be applied over existing paint?

No. Existing paint must be removed by water-blasting or mechanical scarifying so the thermoplastic fuses directly with the asphalt or concrete.

Is thermoplastic suitable for concrete surfaces?

Yes, with a compatible epoxy or solvent primer applied first to promote adhesion between the thermoplastic and the concrete.

How long does thermoplastic road marking last in the UAE climate?

Properly applied thermoplastic road marking lasts 5-7 years under normal traffic in the Gulf climate. High-stress intersections may require touch-ups every 2-3 years. The extreme UV and heat in UAE and Saudi Arabia are accounted for in our UV-stabilised thermoplastic formulation.

Thermoplastic vs cold paint road marking — which is better?

Thermoplastic lasts 5-10x longer than cold paint (5-7 years vs 6-12 months), fuses to the asphalt instead of sitting on top, and has built-in glass bead reflectivity. Cold paint is cheaper upfront but requires frequent reapplication. For Gulf climate roads, thermoplastic is the standard.

How soon can traffic resume after thermoplastic marking?

Hot thermoplastic cures in 2-5 minutes depending on ambient temperature. Roads can typically reopen to traffic within 10 minutes of application, making it ideal for night-shift road work with minimal closure.

Thermoplastic vs MMA cold plastic — which should I choose?

Thermoplastic is ideal for highways and urban roads (lower cost, 5-7 year life). MMA cold plastic is preferred for airports (ICAO Annex 14 compliant, 30-min cure, jet-blast resistant) and high-stress areas. For most road marking in UAE and Saudi Arabia, thermoplastic is the standard choice.

What temperature is thermoplastic applied at?

Thermoplastic is heated to 180-200°C in an oil-jacketed kettle and applied at 170-190°C. This temperature ensures proper fusion with the asphalt substrate. The material cools to traffic-ready hardness in 2-5 minutes. Application is suspended if ambient temperature drops below 10°C or if the surface is wet.

Service

Thermoplastic Road Marking — Durable, Reflective, Compliant

Hot-applied thermoplastic line marking fused to the road surface for 5–7 year durability with built-in glass-bead retroreflectivity.

The industry-standard durable line marking system.

Overview

Thermoplastic road marking is the gold standard for durable line marking. Heated to 180–200°C and applied as a melt, it fuses with the asphalt to form a bond that outlasts paint by 5–10×. Embedded glass beads provide retroreflectivity that makes lines glow under headlights. Our thermoplastic systems are formulated for Gulf conditions with UV stabilisers and enhanced softening points to prevent tracking in extreme heat.

Key benefits

5–10× longer life than cold paint

Fuses to asphalt — no peeling

Built-in retroreflectivity from glass beads

Skid-resistant aggregate surface

Low VOC, environmentally stable

Our delivery process

Heat

Melt thermoplastic to 180–200°C in oil-jacketed kettle.

Prepare

Scarify or water-blast old markings, prime concrete.

Apply

Extrude thermoplastic with simultaneous bead dispensing.

Bead

Glass beads embed for retroreflectivity.

Cure

Cool 2–5 minutes, then reopen.

Industries we serve

Highways & Roads

Municipal and highway-authority road marking for urban arterials, ring roads and inter-city highways.

Commercial & Retail

Malls, offices, hotels and retail complexes — parking, wayfinding and safety marking.

Industrial & Manufacturing

Factories, plants and manufacturing floors requiring chemical and impact-resistant marking.

Aviation & Airports

Runways, taxiways and aprons requiring ICAO Annex 14 compliant marking.

Recent thermoplastic road marking projects

Abu Dhabi–Al Ain Highway Thermoplastic Marking

Abu Dhabi6 weeks

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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Why Gulf Seismic?

✓ 10+ years delivering marking projects in the Gulf
✓ ISO 9001 certified, RTA & MOMRA compliant
✓ ICAO Annex 14 trained aviation crews
✓ 850+ projects across 16 cities