Category Archives: Line Striping Machines

Parking lot striping or line striping machines.

Trusco Trueline Model 250EC 350EC Electric Compressor Paint Striper Review

The Trueline Model 250EC Electric Compressor Striper is a 5 gallon parking lot striping machine similar to the other model 250 machines but powered by a electric compressor and pump. The 350EC is the 10 gallon model. This is Trusco’s newest addition to their growing line of quality line stripers. The model 250/350 electric compressor powered machine sprays using Trusco’s simple but effective airless system that takes compressed air  and presses down on the paint in the main tank forcing it into a spray tip which is in an enclosed spray box. The spray tip puts out a flat fan pattern spray that hits both bottom edges of the box and is directed downward creating a perfect line. This process seems to be  simple but Trusco has spent years getting the process just perfect.

I have used the 250N and 250BP  and like both of them. The EC or electric compressor model is relatively new and is designed for people who do not want to carry high pressure gas cylinders around and who have access to an electrical outlet.

Here is how the machine works. When you get to a job site you would thin and mix your paint, fill the machine, and then plug in the machine and pressurize the main red tank as well as the paint tank.  Once the tanks are pressurized you can unplug the machine and start striping.  The red tank will continue to provide pressure and will easily pump the paint out of the paint tank.  When you refill the paint tank you would plug in the compressor again and start the process over.  The compressor unit is removable so it can be used for other jobs that require air pressure.  It is like getting two machines in one.

The machines center of gravity is fairly low making it easy to handle and transport. Also, once you have run the compressor and pressurized the red tank it is just as quiet as the other Trueline Striping machines.  Unlike the nitrogen model, there is a pump so there are moving parts, however, replacement or repair is simple and inexpensive if ever necessary.

All of the Trusco Trueline model 250 and 350 stripers lay down beautiful stripes and the electric compressor powered 250EC and 350EC striping machines are no exception. If you are using a new or good tip, the correct amount of air pressure, and have mixed your paint to the proper viscosity you can expect a consistent perfect line every time. In high winds this will not change because the spray box protects your spray tip so your lines stay nice even in those conditions.

The model 250EC or 350EC paint striping machines are able to spray acrylic water based and oil/solvent based paints. I personally spray only water based acrylic paint in mine. Water based paints perform just as well as oil and clean up much easier. Oil or solvent paints require mineral spirits or solvents for cleanup which can be a problem. Also, oil based paints do perform well in damp conditions. For example, if you are striping with oil based paint and a mist or dew sets in it can create a real problem.  Water based paints are much more forgiving in this situation.  Also,  oil based paints do not do well with sealcoat. If you stripe over fresh sealcoat with an oil based paint the black from the sealer will often come up through the stripe and ruin your job.  This is less likely to happen with water based acrylic paints.

TIP – When buying paint, keep in mind that the creamier and smoother the paint is the easier it will spray. Chalky paint does not perform well in any machine.

You can get parts from Trusco or in many cases locally depending on the part. If all you need is a hose or a brass fitting there is normally a company in every city that makes them. The tips are T-Jet agricultural tips and are available across the company and also from Trusco. The machines are welded high grade steel and are difficult to damage.

The 250EC and 350EC are recommended for companies or stripers that will always be near an electrical outlet.  The machines are especially good for companies or factories who do a lot of indoor striping in that there are no gas fumes from an engine.  Plus they are quiet. If you do striping jobs where you are far away from power then you would want to consider the nitrogen powered model, the battery powered model or the T2000 Honda engine striper.

Here is a video of the machine in use.

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Trusco Trueline Model 250BP 350BP Battery Powered Parking Lot Striper Review

The Trueline model 250 BP Battery Powered Striper is a 5 gallon parking lot striping machine similar to the model 250N but powered by a battery and pump instead of a high pressure cylinder. The 350BP is the 10 gallon model.  The model 250/350 battery powered machine sprays using Trusco’s very simple airless system that takes compressed air and presses down on the paint in the main tank forcing it out the spray tip and into an enclosed spray box. The T-Jet tip puts out a fan pattern spray that hits the edge of the box and is directed downward creating a perfect line. This seems to be a simple concept but Trusco has spent years getting everything just perfect.

I have used the 250 Battery Powered Trueline striping machine and like it better than my Nitrogen powered model. It sprays the same as the nitrogen machine without the need to change out nitrogen tanks.  You can spray for days on a charge and power is easy to find.  The machines center of gravity is low making it easy to handle and transport.  Also, once pressurized it is just as quiet as the nitrogen machine.  Since there is a pump there are moving parts but replacement is simple and inexpensive.

All Trusco Trueline stripers lay down beautiful stripes and the battery powered 250BP and 350BP striping machines are no exception. If you are using a good tip, the correct pressure, and have mixed your paint to the proper viscosity you can expect a consistent perfect line.  In high winds this will not change because the spray box protects your spray head so lines stay nice even in those conditions.

The model 250BP or 350BP will spray acrylic water based and oil/solvent based paints. I spray only water based acrylic in mine. Water based paints perform just as well as oil and clean up much easier.  Oil or solvent paints require mineral spirits or solvents for cleanup which can be a problem.  Also, oil based paints do not do well at all in damp conditions.  If you are striping with oil based paint and a mist or dew sets in you are in for a nightmare. Plus, oil based paints do not do well with sealcoat. You will get bleedthrough. TIP – When buying paint, remember the creamier and smoother your paint is the easier it will be to spray. Chalky paint does not perform well in any machine.

You can get parts from the manufacturer or in many cases locally. If all you need is a hose there is almost always a company in every city that makes them. The tips are T-Jets and available across the company and also from Trusco. The machine is all high grade steel so frame damage is rare but can be repaired by a local welding shop if necessary.

Overall, I give the Trusco Trueline Model 250BP a high rating. It is recommended for companies on a medium budget. If you have a little extra check out the model T2000.

Here is a video of the machine in use. The video shows the battery powered Trueline Striper with the two box option as well as with one box.

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Trusco Trueline Model 250N 350N Nitrogen Powered Parking Lot Striper Review

The Trueline Model 250N is Trusco Manufacturing’s nitrogen powered 5 gallon parking lot striping machine. The 350N is the 10 gallon model.  It sprays using a very simple airless system that takes compressed nitrogen and presses down on the paint in the main tank forcing it out the spray tip and into a spray box.  The fan pattern spray hits the edge of the box and is directed downward creating a perfect line.  This seems like a simple concept but Trusco has spent years getting it just perfect.

I have used the 250N Trueline striping machine and am very satisfied with it.  Using nitrogen has certain advantages and disadvantages.  First, the machine is the next to the least expensive striping machine that Trusco makes.  (the model 20 is the least expensive)  This makes the model 250N the choice for many stripers who are on a budget.  If you already have a tank than all you have to do is have it filled with nitrogen and hook it up.  If you do not have a tank you can lease or buy one.  The nitrogen tanks run about $100 plus to buy and about $15 to refill.  Second, the machines pressurize almost instantly.  There is very little waiting for the main tank to build up sufficient pressure to stripe.  Third,  they are very quiet.  There is no motor and virtually no noise.  All you hear is the sound of the paint being sprayed.   This allows you to hear traffic and stay safe. Fourth, because the machine gets pressure from a cylinder there are no moving parts.  You can work on it yourself so there is never a shop needed and almost no downtime. Lastly, nitrogen is a neutral gas and does not react with any paints.  (note-co2 will react with certain traffic paints so you need to be careful if you use co2 for pressure)

The downside to nitrogen is that you have to keep refilling the tank.  Also, if you run out at midnight you have to stop striping.  I keep an extra tank to eliminate this problem.  Lastly, if you get a tall nitrogen tank the machine will be a little top heavy so you need to make sure it is strapped down when you transport it.

All Trusco Trueline stripers lay down beautiful stripes and the 250n is no exception.  If you are using a good tip, the correct pressure, and have mixed your paint properly you can expect a consistent perfect line.  Also, in high winds the spray box protects your spray head so lines stay nice even in those conditions.

The model 250N will spray acrylic water based and oil based paints.  I spray only water based acrylic in mine and have never been asked to use anything else. Water based paints perform just as well as oil and clean up much easier.   Also, when buying paint, remember the creamier and smoother your paint is the easier it will be to spray.  Chalky paint does not perform well in any machine.

You can get parts from the manufacturer or in many cases locally.  If you need a hose there is normally a company in every city that make them. The tips are T-Jets and available across the company and also from Trusco.

Overall, I give the Trusco Trueline Model 250N a high rating.  It is especially recommended for companies on a tight budget.  If you have a little extra check out the battery powered 250 model.

Here is a video of the machine in use.

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All About Parking Lot (line) Striping Machines

Virtually every parking lot in the world has lines all over it. Lines that direct you where to go, lines that tell you when to stop, lines that tell you where to park, lines that tell you where not to park, lines that tell you to be cautious, and lines that guide you back out of the lot. Have you ever wondered where all those lines come from?

Line Stripers have been around for decades and have provided striping companies with a semi automated method of apply lines to the ground. Kelly Creswell created one of the first machines and since then the industry has grown quite a bit.

Trusco Trueline Model 20 Pump Up Parking Lot Striper Review

The Trusco Manufacturing Trueline Model 20 is a very popular small striper used by small striping companies as well as shopping center or facility owners. The base price for a Trueline Model 20 pump up striper is $635 plus applicable taxes and shipping.  I have used the Trueline machines and have found them to be very reliable and easy to work on. They never need to go to a shop because parts are so easy to obtain and install. This keeps downtime to a minimum which over time will actually pay for the machine. The Trueline Model 20 is a pump up machine which means that as you stripe you will need to keep it manually pressurized by using the built in hand pump. This would amount to a few pumps per 80 – 100 feet of striping.

The Trueline machines are low pressure airless machines which means that you will need to thin the paint a little before you pour it through a filter into the machine. This makes it easier for the machine to spray the paint. Because the machine sprays the lines within a spray box, the lines actually come out just as thick as they would if you used un-thinned paint.

The machine comes standard with a 4″ spray box (most common), a funnel and strainer, a viscosity measuring tool and a tank cleaning brush.  The machine is almost fully assembled and you can normally start striping about 30 minutes after you recieve it.  The company builds and ships the machines out of Ocala Florida.  Shipping time for machines in stock can be anywhere from 2 – 7 days depending on your location.

Trusco Manufacturing has been in business since the 1960’s and has one of the best reputations in the striping business.  The company and the machines get my highest rating for quality, simplicity, service and price.

The video below show the machine in use.

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