Whether it’s day one on the job or you’re looking for a refresher on one of the fundamental skills of managing fields, striping a field is often the first step to hosting sporting events. Once you have a handle on where you’ll lay out the field and the proper dimensions to use, fire up your machine and let’s get started. 

* Explore field dimensions and diagrams here.

  • Step 1: Using field string and stakes, mark your target area. *when lining a synthetic turf field, use the Gawryla Grip
  • Step 2: Start the engine on your airless striper machine, be sure to follow proper machine maintenance protocols when operating in cooler temperatures. 
  • Step 3: Prepare for painting by priming your machine. Place your supply tube into paint and your return tube into a nearby slop bucket. Lower your prime valve until it’s pointing downwards and turn the pump and pressure on. At this point the return tube will begin flushing out fluid, once that is flowing nicely, turn the prime valve up and parallel with the ground. Bring the return tube into the paint along with the supply tube and unlock your gun from its holder. Prime the hose of the machine by spraying into a slop bucket. You are finished when the desired color starts spraying from the gun. 
  • Step 4: Lock gun back into place. 
  • Step 5: To adjust the length of the arm on your machine, loosen the adjustment knob located on the front of the machine. You can move the arm in or out to adjust the length, tighten when finished. 
  • Step 6: To adjust the height of the paint gun, loosen the adjustment knob located directly on the paint gun holder. Loosening this wing nut gives you the ability to raise or lower the gun, tighten when finished. 
  • Step 7: Before painting, be sure to test the width of your spray. Test for a 4 inch width on a piece of cardboard or off to the side for athletic field marking. 
  • Step 8: Choose between the three methods of painting a straight line on your field. You can maneuver your machine to paint along the outside of the string, directly down the center of the string or along the inside of the string.