PAINTING

CHAPTER 23
PAINTING
PAINTING

New traffic signal poles, mast arms, transformer bases, and luminaire extensions are
pre-painted with the correct number of primer and finish coats of paint.



When delivered to the
job site, any protective
wrap provided by the
manufacturer during
shipping shall be
removed immediately
(protective wrap tends
to soften paint). The
collar used to erect the
pole shall be of such
material as to ensure
protection of the
painted finish.






Any damage to the finish shop coat shall be touched up as specified in the Contract,
to the satisfaction of the Engineer. The Contractor shall use touchup paint provided
by the pole manufacturer,
23-1

---

CHAPTER23 PAINTING
REPAINTING EXISTING SIGNAL SYSTEMS

If it is required to repaint an existing signal system refer to the Contract Documents
for painting requirements. Almost all existing traffic signal systems constructed in
1995 and earlier were painted with lead base paint which is now hazardous waste
and should be removed and contained using the appropriate methods. There are
very strict guidelines regarding hazardous material removal, disposal, and
transportation in the contract documents that shall be followed.

Painting metallic structures and components of a traffic signal system shall
conform to all the requirements in the Contract documents.


Painting metallic structures shall consist of:

• Preparing the surface

• Furnishing and applying the paint

• Protecting and Drying the paint coatings

Pedestrians, vehicles, and property shall be protected against damages resulting
from the painting operation and all work incidental to the painting operation.

Materials- The paint and other ingredients shall conform to the specifications for the
type and kind specified in the contract documents. The paint shall be pre-mixed,
ready to use, and shall be delivered to the place of use in the original containers not
exceed 5 gallons in capacity. Inspection, sampling, and testing of paint shall be as
specified in the Contract documents. Contents of the paint containers shall not be
altered unless permitted by the Engineer. Surface preparation and painting shall not
be started until all the materials have been inspected and approved by the
inspector.

The finish paint shall consist of two field coats. The paint shall conform to the
following requirements:



Aluminum paint - moisture-cured
polyurethane finish coat paint, as
specified in the Contract documents,
shall be applied on traffic signal mast
arms, luminaire vertical pole shaft
extensions, and luminaire mast arms,
and other materials as specified in the
Contract.
23-2

---

CHAPTER 23
PAINTING
Yellow - Yellow polyurethane finish coat paint, as specified in the Contract
documents, shall be applied
on vehicle and pedestrian
signal indication housings
(except polycarbonate), mast
arm pole standard vertical
pole shafts, traffic signal
pedestal shafts, pedestal
slipfitter collars, pedestal
reinforcing collars (wind
collars), all signal bracketing
and pipe fittings (except cast
aluminum one way mounts),
and pedestrian push button
stations.




Green - Dark Green
polyurethane finish coat
paint, as specified in the
Contract documents, shall
be applied on traffic signal
pedestal bases and mast
arm pole standard
transformer bases.








Dull Non-Reflective Black paint shall
be used on visors, directional louvers,
background shields, and vehicle and
pedestrian signal indication housing
doors (inside and outside).
23-3

---

CHAPTER23 PAINTING



Construction Requirements


Paint application shall not start
until the Engineer has given
permission and weather
conditions are favorable.











Paint shall not be applied when the
ambient air temperature is below 4
degrees Celsius (40 degrees
Fahrenheit), when the air is misty or
the metal surfaces are damp or frosted
and…











…when wind or traffic causes dust,
dirt or sand to be carried onto
surfaces being painted.
23-4

---

CHAPTER 23
PAINTING




Prior to the application of
paint, the surface shall be
inspected for damage and
unsatisfactory areas shall be
made smooth and repainted.









Paint shall be thoroughly
mixed before being removed
from the container and kept
mixed during the application.

Any paint samples taken
shall be withdrawn from the
contractor’s bucket while the
paint is being applied, without
mixing.







Application of paint shall be
done in a neat, workman like
manner, by brushing, spraying
or rolling. Regardless of the
method, the resulting painted
surface shall be smooth and
uniform, without skips, drips,
or areas of excessive paint.


23-5

---

CHAPTER23 PAINTING



The previous coat shall be dried
through. This will usually require
at least three days for aluminum
paints in good drying weather.
Longer drying periods will be
required between coats when
unfavorable weather conditions
prevail.





A “dry through” condition check
can be easily made by pressing the
thumb against the paint film,
exerting maximum pressure and
simultaneously turning the thumb
through an angle of 90 degrees.
Examine the painted surface for
loosening, detachment, wrinkling or
other evidence of distortion, which
indicate insufficient drying.




The total dry paint thickness
of four coats of paint shall be as
specified in the Contract. An
instrument for measuring paint
thickness is available from the
Mn/DOT Materials Lab. If a
deficiency in the total paint
thickness is discovered in any
part of the surface and if the
deficiency is not severe enough
to require the application of
additional paint, an equitable
reduction in payment will be
made. A determination of the reduction percentage shall include consideration of the
reduced life as well as that of paint.
23-6

---

CHAPTER 23
PAINTING




Cleanup - Painting will not
be considered complete
until the paint coats are in
satisfactory condition and
all foreign matter has been
cleaned from the painted
members. If paint spills,
drips, or debris blows onto
the surface to create an
undesirable appearance, it
shall be removed by an
approved method to the
satisfaction of the
Engineer.
























For specific details about painting on your project, refer to the Contract Documents.
23-7

---