How to Earn Extra Money by Curb Painting

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By Jerrie Dean
eHow Community Member

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(19 Ratings)

Painting street addresses on curbs started around the 1960's and has been done on and off over the last 40 years by private individuals and charity organizations. Here is how you go about becoming a Curb Painter and earn extra money.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Paint
Number Templates
Masking Tape

Step 1

Some cities require that you have a license in order to paint curb addresses. Call your City Clerk Department and find out if that is a requirement in your city. Average cost for the license is around $35.00. Also, check to see if there is a requirement for the colors.
Step 2

Purchase two colors of paint, there are many different combinations. In our town a yellow background with black letters is used. The best paint though is the reflective white and black highway spray paint.

If there are no restrictions then you could opt for your own combination of colors as a brand. Add a small star, or an American Flag or football team.
Step 3

Purchase 3" tall template for the numbers and a template for the border. You can make your own out of an old license plate frame or cardboard.
Step 4

Practice before you do any actual painting. Pick up an inexpensive patio block and practice on it. Paint the background color on the curb first, then paint the numbers next. You can use masking tape to tape the back of the numbers to hold them together as a set and make it quicker and easier to get the number aligned straight.
Step 5

Now that your practicing is done it's time to locate customers. Look for a new development in your town as it is more likely the numbers have not already been painted on the curbs and search for numbers that are faded or not very readable.
Step 6

Approach the homeowner and offer to paint the number. Have a few photographs of different designs in a nice folder to show the customer and also to give them something to pick. More homeowners would opt to have their curb painted if they know that they can show their American Pride or Team Spirit.
Step 7

Have flyer's to put in the doors of people that are not home with your phone number on it. Take couple of your photographs and copy then to your flyer's, so customers can see your work.
Step 8

Set a fee. I would say the price range for this service would be between $3 and $10, with $5 being the most likely for success. Accept cash only so the homeowner doesn't have to give you his personal information that is on their check.
Step 9

When painting the numbers, take your time, make sure your stencils are straight and securely taped in place with your masking tape, and spray your paint evenly and generously. Wipe up any drips, and touch up as necessary to make your job look flawless.
Step 10

As your business grows consider hiring others to help out.

Comments

pianistic said

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on 12/24/2008 The copyright law is so multi layered please see link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright

Logos have been used for curb painting all over the US. A quick email found at the following link would clear up any questions. http://www.utexas.edu/visualguidelines/vg_longhorn.html

christienps said

on 12/24/2008 I live near Austin, and I was more specifically wondering, for example, including the UT Longhorn logo along with the address. I will go to the local municipal office and ask about the license for the curb painting itself. I guess I was wondering about copyrighted material. Could I paint a NY Yankees logo, or more appropriately (since I'm in Texas) a Cowboy's logo. Or would I have to contact the owners of the copyright and request permission to duplicate? That seems like a bit of a headache.

on 12/23/2008 Some cities require that you have a license in order to paint curb addresses. Call your City Clerk Department and find out if that is a requirement in your city.