How to Make Your Own Turf Paint

Make your own turf paint by mixing paint with water.

Football fields are unique works of art. You may watch American football, but you may not take the time to appreciate the quality of the lines, numbers and logos on the field. Plenty of planning goes into setting up the field, and skill is required when it comes time to paint the turf. You can make your own turf paint by buying water-based paint and mixing it at home.

Things You'll Need

• Drill
• Mixing bit
• Paint sprayer

Instructions

1. Purchase several cans of water-based paint. The amount of paint you'll need to purchase is dependent on the size of field you will be painting. A regulation high school football field will require roughly 7.5 gallons of paint to complete the hash marks and numbers. A smaller, pee wee-sized football field will require roughly 5 gallons of paint. In both cases, this paint will be mixed after the first coat has been applied.

2. Fill a paint sprayer with paint, and then paint the turf with a first coat. This first coat should be 100 percent paint and not mixed.

3. Pour the excess paint into a bucket, measuring it gallon by gallon. Add water to the bucket in a 3:1 ratio. For example, 3 gallons of water to 1 gallon of paint.

4. Stir the paint thoroughly using a power drill with a mixing bit attachment.

5. Load the mixed paint into your sprayer, and apply a second coat of paint to the field. The mixed paint can also be used for touch-up jobs.

Tips & Warnings

• A field should be painted 48 hours before the game to ensure it has a fresh look.

• This technique for mixing paint is applicable to natural and artificial turf fields.

• Strain the paint when filling the paint sprayer to ensure no lumps get into the sprayer and clog it.

References

• USA Football: Football Field Painting Tips for Volunteers