Been line painting for 10 years and have only ever used the Titan 850. We now own 3 of them, and I consider them to be one of my best investments... Last year we did 84 pails of paint which works out to roughly 8400 lines and about $28k revenue. We mostly do smaller jobs under 100 lines so these work perfect for us, and the odd large job we have 2 machines working togther. The ONLY downfall of using waterborne paint is that it is temperature sensitive and needs to be applied above 10°C to adhear properly but I think that is a good trade off because it is way easier to work with and way easier to clean-up... I know which other sites/companies use oil base and I can say for sure waterborne is just as durable, if not more durable than oil based when applied properly. I would highly recommend a Titan 850 to start out, they are easy to throw in and out of a truck or bumper basket, and are very easy to use and maintain. If you're booking lots of mid size jobs (500sih lines) I would get a mid size machine line a Titan 3500 but if you're booking lots of large jobs like 1000 lines plus, then get a Powrliner 8955 with a Lazyliner.
Great insight. I bought a 3400 to get started striping for one it’s a light weight easy to operate machine, I’ve used them for years and know their quality. But not knowing just how well I’d do in my area or if it would ever get off the ground I didn’t wanna invest to heavily. Hein sight wished I’d went ahead and found a good used 3900 cause . it’s need in order to add a rider. Which I believe is definitely an advantage to have the riding capability in striping. So it’s an extra step since I started with the 3400. Get what ya can afford and keep investing in better equipment soon as you can. Better equipment will result in higher profits.
Cam, good to see you posting. Great info, we run 2 3900s and the 3400 was my first machine. That little badnoy has made us alot of cash and I would reccomended that as a first machine as it can get you super straight lines and put down 50 gallons at a time with no issues. But....the 3900 and 5900s are work horses....more solid... heavier. Good to work into I think rather than starting with.
I am looking for my first machine. The 850 is now 2500 bucks so it's not really a good deal. And the 3500 is basically 6 grand. And thats before any attachments and supplies.. yikes... So back to conventional machines what are the down sides? They seem well built they now have battery operated ones with lighter compressors or a tank you charge up. Doesn't seem like there is to much to go wrong with them. I love technology but I would like to know how much technology does a guy need to start out doing lots that are 100 spaces or less? What am I missing. Everyone upped their prices due to COVID and the "supplychain" but all that has gone away and yet they haven't lowered the prices back or lowered them at all for that matter. It's getting to the point that they are pricing the new small guys out. Used equipment may be a better route as well. I see this vid is only a couple months old so I was wondering if you re.looked at the conventional type machines since your first look several years ago. Thanks
It's a great question. The conventional machines simply can't produce what your airless machines can. There's really no price advantage, as an airless will out produce the conventional machine and produce better quality work. Striping is always going to be an investment when you start out. I empathize with you greatly here in trying to get going, but I don't think conventional is the answer. Keep in mind, many paint stores will offer you 4 interest free payments, making that $5K investment a lot easier because you can produce work right away!
@@stripeitlikeitshot I understand equipment is an investment. Been in business for over 40 years. But that doesn't mean I just go out and buy the most expensive thing around. I was more interested in what reason you DON'T like the other machines. Just simply saying technology is very vague. In your case your building a larger scale business so maybe technology is more important. In my case like I said I am doing small projects and just adding it on as an extra service. Your audience is vast with different needs so breaking down pros and cons of the different types of machines would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Ps was on some forms and guys are saying they are doing strips for 5 bucks a strip... that seems to be headed to povertyville to me, at least for small jobs...
You don't need to buy the most expensive equipment by any means! I didn't suggest that. That Graco 3400 is around $4-5K USD and would be a big improvement in quality and longevity over a Titan 850 or the conventional machine you were asking about. Even if you're planning on keeping it small/side hustle, here's what issues you'll face: conventional machines are heavy, slow to operate, and more prone to quality issues. You COULD be profitable running it, absolutely... but there's a reason you don't see other small striping companies online running them. They're generally being sold to companies like landscapers who do a very small handful of jobs a year for their landscape clients - not ideal machines for people starting a striping hustle. In your case, if it's an additional service you're adding, heck, go for it! You'll save that extra money for the existing business. It's not that those machines won't work - it's just any expansion of your striping will be left lacking with the conventionals. Hopefully that helps you!
@@stripeitlikeitshotas luck would have it. Actually scanning FB market place and others all day for a couple weeks, In the 11th hour (literally 11 pm) I ran across a brand new listing for a titan powerliner 3500. The next morning (Sunday) I took the 5 hour drive to go see it. I had no cash because the banks weren't opened, but luckily the guy had a PW Business (like me) so after shooting the breeze he agreed to let me use my credit card through his business account. Only tested it with water but it builds up pressure nice and sprays good. Gun leaks a little so I ordered up a new one. Along with some stencils and spare parts to have on hand... God is good!!!!! Now I just need to find someone who has a lot I can test it out on........
@@ClearMarkStriping It's not a machine I would recommend for starting. One of our Service Partners in a town south of us has one, and did not have great things to say.
@@ClearMarkStriping it really should just depend on what you were trying to accomplish with the machine. After having used well-built, reliable machines that will last you for years, it doesn't make sense to me to invest in a discount model. The extra 2K-3K will pay for itself many times over.
@@ClearMarkStriping Thank you!! The Graco 3400 won't let you down and won't break the bank - especially if Sherwin Williams gives it to you in 4 payments ✅
I personally don't have experience with that machine, but the consensus appears to be that it is a fine machine for starting out with restripes. Unfortunately it cannot spray solvent paint oh, and it definitely is on the small end of things, but it can get you started. A lot of guys start with that machine and then eventually upgrade to a larger unit, keeping the 850 as a machine for a dedicated color such as blue
Hey! You don't necessarily need to have an LLC, no. Insurance is inexpensive for parking lot striping, and you absolutely should get it. Some clients will not work with you without insurance.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Been line painting for 10 years and have only ever used the Titan 850. We now own 3 of them, and I consider them to be one of my best investments... Last year we did 84 pails of paint which works out to roughly 8400 lines and about $28k revenue. We mostly do smaller jobs under 100 lines so these work perfect for us, and the odd large job we have 2 machines working togther.
The ONLY downfall of using waterborne paint is that it is temperature sensitive and needs to be applied above 10°C to adhear properly but I think that is a good trade off because it is way easier to work with and way easier to clean-up... I know which other sites/companies use oil base and I can say for sure waterborne is just as durable, if not more durable than oil based when applied properly.
I would highly recommend a Titan 850 to start out, they are easy to throw in and out of a truck or bumper basket, and are very easy to use and maintain. If you're booking lots of mid size jobs (500sih lines) I would get a mid size machine line a Titan 3500 but if you're booking lots of large jobs like 1000 lines plus, then get a Powrliner 8955 with a Lazyliner.
Awesome insight, thank you!!!
85 pals of paint for 28k. Is this a hobby for you?
Super helpful tips in here. Thank you!
Absolutely 🤝
Great insight. I bought a 3400 to get started striping for one it’s a light weight easy to operate machine, I’ve used them for years and know their quality. But not knowing just how well I’d do in my area or if it would ever get off the ground I didn’t wanna invest to heavily. Hein sight wished I’d went ahead and found a good used 3900 cause . it’s need in order to add a rider. Which I believe is definitely an advantage to have the riding capability in striping. So it’s an extra step since I started with the 3400.
Get what ya can afford and keep investing in better equipment soon as you can. Better equipment will result in higher profits.
Thanks for the comment!
Cam, good to see you posting. Great info, we run 2 3900s and the 3400 was my first machine. That little badnoy has made us alot of cash and I would reccomended that as a first machine as it can get you super straight lines and put down 50 gallons at a time with no issues. But....the 3900 and 5900s are work horses....more solid... heavier. Good to work into I think rather than starting with.
Great advice, Vad 💯
Hi! Great video! What about these Chinese painting machine called Yan feng?
I'd love to try them, but definitely haven't done that yet.
Great info
I am looking for my first machine. The 850 is now 2500 bucks so it's not really a good deal. And the 3500 is basically 6 grand. And thats before any attachments and supplies.. yikes...
So back to conventional machines what are the down sides? They seem well built they now have battery operated ones with lighter compressors or a tank you charge up.
Doesn't seem like there is to much to go wrong with them. I love technology but I would like to know how much technology does a guy need to start out doing lots that are 100 spaces or less?
What am I missing.
Everyone upped their prices due to COVID and the "supplychain" but all that has gone away and yet they haven't lowered the prices back or lowered them at all for that matter. It's getting to the point that they are pricing the new small guys out.
Used equipment may be a better route as well.
I see this vid is only a couple months old so I was wondering if you re.looked at the conventional type machines since your first look several years ago.
Thanks
It's a great question. The conventional machines simply can't produce what your airless machines can. There's really no price advantage, as an airless will out produce the conventional machine and produce better quality work. Striping is always going to be an investment when you start out. I empathize with you greatly here in trying to get going, but I don't think conventional is the answer. Keep in mind, many paint stores will offer you 4 interest free payments, making that $5K investment a lot easier because you can produce work right away!
@@stripeitlikeitshot I understand equipment is an investment. Been in business for over 40 years. But that doesn't mean I just go out and buy the most expensive thing around. I was more interested in what reason you DON'T like the other machines. Just simply saying technology is very vague.
In your case your building a larger scale business so maybe technology is more important. In my case like I said I am doing small projects and just adding it on as an extra service. Your audience is vast with different needs so breaking down pros and cons of the different types of machines would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
Ps was on some forms and guys are saying they are doing strips for 5 bucks a strip... that seems to be headed to povertyville to me, at least for small jobs...
You don't need to buy the most expensive equipment by any means! I didn't suggest that. That Graco 3400 is around $4-5K USD and would be a big improvement in quality and longevity over a Titan 850 or the conventional machine you were asking about. Even if you're planning on keeping it small/side hustle, here's what issues you'll face: conventional machines are heavy, slow to operate, and more prone to quality issues. You COULD be profitable running it, absolutely... but there's a reason you don't see other small striping companies online running them. They're generally being sold to companies like landscapers who do a very small handful of jobs a year for their landscape clients - not ideal machines for people starting a striping hustle. In your case, if it's an additional service you're adding, heck, go for it! You'll save that extra money for the existing business. It's not that those machines won't work - it's just any expansion of your striping will be left lacking with the conventionals. Hopefully that helps you!
I have a titan 850 that I used for 7 jobs total if interested?
@@stripeitlikeitshotas luck would have it. Actually scanning FB market place and others all day for a couple weeks,
In the 11th hour (literally 11 pm) I ran across a brand new listing for a titan powerliner 3500. The next morning (Sunday) I took the 5 hour drive to go see it. I had no cash because the banks weren't opened, but luckily the guy had a PW Business (like me) so after shooting the breeze he agreed to let me use my credit card through his business account.
Only tested it with water but it builds up pressure nice and sprays good.
Gun leaks a little so I ordered up a new one. Along with some stencils and spare parts to have on hand...
God is good!!!!!
Now I just need to find someone who has a lot I can test it out on........
Hey! I’m leaning towards buying a Titan 3500. My first project is a 400,000SF concrete parking lot. What are your thoughts?
Thanks!
I've never used the machine, but that rig will do a lot for you! A great starting machine. Better than a Titan 850.
What about the new stripe 4250?
@@ClearMarkStriping It's not a machine I would recommend for starting. One of our Service Partners in a town south of us has one, and did not have great things to say.
@@stripeitlikeitshot I’ve heard a lot of good reviews but I also heard way bad reviews with the titan 850
@@ClearMarkStriping it really should just depend on what you were trying to accomplish with the machine. After having used well-built, reliable machines that will last you for years, it doesn't make sense to me to invest in a discount model. The extra 2K-3K will pay for itself many times over.
Just wanting a starter machine. Don’t wanna really go all in on a 10k machine right off the bat! I think I might give it a chance! Love your content!
@@ClearMarkStriping Thank you!! The Graco 3400 won't let you down and won't break the bank - especially if Sherwin Williams gives it to you in 4 payments ✅
Do you recommend the titian 850 for starters?
I personally don't have experience with that machine, but the consensus appears to be that it is a fine machine for starting out with restripes. Unfortunately it cannot spray solvent paint oh, and it definitely is on the small end of things, but it can get you started. A lot of guys start with that machine and then eventually upgrade to a larger unit, keeping the 850 as a machine for a dedicated color such as blue
Quick question on start up , do u need insurance or llc when u had out your business cards ??
Hey! You don't necessarily need to have an LLC, no. Insurance is inexpensive for parking lot striping, and you absolutely should get it. Some clients will not work with you without insurance.
I am getting started and stripping here in Clovis, California. Do you have a use Friday machine that I can buy from you. Please let me know
Check out the facebook groups, there is a lot of buy and sell on there!
how do you know how much to charge
How much profit do you want to make? 😁
I used the titan pl850 my first yr and did 100000.00 now I have a titan pl 3500
That's how it starts! Thanks for sharing 👊
Well well well
Well well well