Parking Lot Striping Paint Price per Gallon & Ton
Updated with real market data from China suppliers, retail distributors, and global logistics costs.
1. Thermoplastic Road Marking Paint Price (2025)
In 2025, Chinese manufacturers quote thermoplastic road marking paint at USD 300–700 per ton (FOB China), depending on resin quality, TiO₂ content, premix glass beads, and anti-skid performance.
With sea freight to Africa (e.g., Mombasa, Kenya), the landed cost typically ranges between USD 525 – 906 per ton, depending on FOB price, freight, and port charges. This makes thermoplastic cost-efficient for long-lasting parking lot striping on asphalt or concrete.
2. Water-Based Parking Lot Paint Price
In the U.S. and global retail markets, water-based acrylic striping paint costs USD 165–285 per 5-gallon bucket, equal to USD 33–57 per gallon in retail.
For contractors purchasing in bulk, wholesale project prices are usually USD 15–30 per gallon. While cheaper upfront, its shorter lifespan (≈ 6–18 months) makes it less cost-effective for high-traffic parking lots compared with thermoplastic.
3. Solvent-Based Paint Cost
Solvent-based striping paints are priced around USD 6–10 per liter in retail packaging, or USD 4.5–6.5 per liter in professional contractor supply channels.
They provide better adhesion than water-based coatings but may face environmental restrictions in certain regions.
4. Two-Component (2K) Paint Price
Two-component systems such as epoxy, polyurethane, or MMA are higher-end solutions. Chinese suppliers quote USD 2.4–3.5 per kg (factory price, MOQ dependent). This equals USD 2,400–3,500 per ton.
In retail or small-package sets, prices can reach USD 200–300 per kit. Despite higher cost, 2K paints offer superior durability and chemical resistance, suitable for airports, heavy-duty parking lots, and industrial sites.
5. Landed Cost Example: Thermoplastic Paint to Africa
To illustrate how shipping changes the total cost, let’s take a 20' container (≈20 tons net):
- Scenario A (low price + low freight): FOB China = USD 260/t, freight = USD 1,600, port charges = USD 300 → ≈ USD 525/t landed
- Scenario B (high price + high freight): FOB China = USD 600/t, freight = USD 2,000, port charges = USD 500 → ≈ USD 906/t landed
This calculation excludes import duties, VAT, or anti-dumping taxes, which can further increase landed cost by 10–30% depending on country policy.
6. Cost vs. Durability
While water-based paints may cost less per gallon, their short life (6–18 months) increases long-term maintenance costs. In contrast, thermoplastic lasts 3–7 years under heavy traffic, lowering the lifecycle cost significantly. Two-component paints last even longer in extreme conditions, justifying their premium price.
Key Takeaways for 2025
- Thermoplastic: USD 300–700/t FOB China | Landed USD 525–906/t | 3–7 years lifespan.
- Water-based: USD 20–40/gal (bulk) | 6–18 months lifespan.
- Solvent-based: USD 23–38/gal | medium durability.
- Two-component: USD 2.4–3.5/kg | highest durability & performance.
Choosing the right striping paint depends not only on price per gallon but also on durability, traffic conditions, and compliance with AASHTO, BS3262, EN1436 standards.
