When to mark your pitch: 7 practical tips | Selectline

Crisp lines don't start with the paint. They start with when you go out to mark. Mark at the right moment and pay attention to a few simple things, and your lines will look good for longer. Here are the most important tips.

Mark after mowing

Mow first, then mark. If you mow over a fresh line, you take part of it straight off again. Mark after mowing and your paint sits on freshly cut grass, so it stays visible for longer.

Make sure the grass is dry

Paint sticks best to a dry leaf. If you spray over dew or rainwater, the line comes out weaker and patchy.

Grass still wet with dew? Drag a goal net over the lines first. That knocks the water off the grass. Then feel it again: still wet? Give it a bit longer.

Pick a dry day

Mark in dry weather and above 5°C, ideally with a few dry hours ahead of you. The paint will then usually be dry in about half an hour. If rain is on the way, put it off. A thicker coat won't help against rain, you'll only waste paint.

Check your machine

A crisp line comes from a clean, well-adjusted machine. Pay attention to these points:

• Shake the can well. At least ten seconds, so the paint is evenly mixed.
• Keep the nozzle and filters clean. A blocked nozzle gives a ragged line.
• Walk at a steady pace. Walking faster or slower changes how much paint ends up on the grass.
• Set out with a string line. You won't straighten a crooked line with a second pass.

Go over the line while it's still visible

You don't need to measure out the pitch again every time. Is the old line still there? Just go over it again. It's quicker, and it's the easiest way to keep your lines sharp week after week.

Test first, judge later

Spray a short test strip and let it dry before you judge it. A wet line always looks different from a dry one. Only once the paint has dried can you see how white it really is and how well it covers.

Clean your machine after use

The job isn't done until the machine is clean. Paint left in the machine dries in the hoses, the filters and the nozzle. Flush the system with clean water and store your paint frost-free. That way, next time you start with a machine that marks a crisp line straight away.

In short

• Mark after mowing.
• Make sure the grass is dry.
• Pick a dry day, above 5°C.
• Keep your machine and nozzle clean.
• Go over the line while it's still visible.
• Spray a test strip and let it dry.
• Clean your machine after use.

Need help?

Want to know what works best on your pitch? Ask your dealer for a free demo on your own pitch, and we'll find the right approach together. Or get in touch with us.