I'm wanting/needing to paint some neat and long-lasting oversize (24") footprints (painted-on tracks) on a sidewalk (a typical concrete finished sidewalk, not super smooth but not super rough). I will be needing to make a stencil with which I will paint over/through. I will be needing to paint about 30 of these footprints onto the sidewalk, so probably that many times (or half that many times if I do two footprints left and right) on the stencil. I was thinking probably just use regular corrugated cardboard for the stencil material, but am wondering if there might be a different material than the cardboard that could work out better in case the cardboard tends to get soft/sloppy with paint around the edges and I'd end up with sloppy painted outlines. Also wondering about the right type of paint to use, that would be durable and long-lasting and whether that would be available in a spray can or if perhaps I might be better off doing the painting with a brush (if brushing might work out better I wouldn't mind taking the extra time/effort). Any comments/suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

 

My first thought would be cardboard and spray paint.

How durable and long lasting would be needed?

 

Oh I'd be nice if it could last at least a through a good winter or two... without starting to flake away, etc.

 

Hmmm... up where you are, I don't see spray paint lasting like that. Maybe a concrete stain but we're out of my element with that.

 

Also the color has to be yellow, similar to what you'd see for road lines or parking lot lines and such. How about just those spray cans I think they sell that spray upside down for marking etc. Is that very long lasting?

 

While I've used a striping sprayer [airless] on parking lots before I've never used the kind that utilize the spray cans. You see a lot of folks using them so I guess they hold up ok. Brushed on paint generally holds up better than sprayed only but then you'd need a better stencil than cardboard.

 

Your request reminded me of a sidewalk in Augusta (ME). When I came to their footprints they looked so real you tended to step around them thinking wet concrete. They used the paint or mix that simulates a brick sidewalk. Extremely tough as they use it on roads as well as sidewalks.

May be overkill, but it is a product designed for concrete and will last a long time. Where to get it I have never researched.

Bud

 

Ok decided to go with the cardboard stencil and the kind of spray paint that paints inverted used for marking. As long as it might last decently throughout the rest of the summer I guess thats ok.
Thanks for all input.

 

There is stencil material that you can get. Check office supply stores or packaging supply distributors. Also look on e-Bay or Amazon.

 

Dang. Too late Norm. Already managed ok with the cardboard. thanks though.

 

IF you were to choose a polymer-modified cementitious overlay material colored w/sher-wms wtr based pigment, they'd last forever or, at least, as long as the conc

cement-all's now being stocked at apron stores - blue box

 

Sasquatch can't find his way home?

 

Well, he can now since the project is finished. Kinda worried he'll probably lose his way again though, once the paint fades...