The paint is specifically designed for tennis court painting, and contains a grit that meets with the LTA slip resistance factor of 60. This allows for the correct footwear grip on the surface and for necessary ball spin.
Most courts have a two-colour combination to differentiate the outside area from that of the main play court. Each colour is applied in 2 layers, with the second and final coat laid 90 degree to the former, to ensure even coverage.
Nearly all tennis courts have an “open textured” surface (see resurfacing), which allows the water to drain “through” the open pores of macadam. The art of a good tennis court painter, is to never apply too much paint that may block these pores, nor apply too little that the paint will wear away quicker than the designated paint life period of 5 to 6 years.
The white line paint also contains the requisite slip resistant grit throughout it. The perfect total amount of paint used for the 2 colours of a single court is 175ltrs (39 Gallons).The lines are applied by hand to ensure total accuracy and straightness that are beyond those stipulations laid down by the LTA.
The paint must then be allowed to cure for 3 days after application, before normal play can commence.
Old courts
If a court is looking elderly and distressed, most others will tell you it needs resurfacing. This is not true!!
In a great majority of cases, these courts can be still resurrected with a bit of TLC.
Older courts will have a binder (or glue) applied over the surface area –especially under trees etc. This binder assists in coating the individual macadam grains, where the original bitumen around those grains has oxidised and broken away.
If there is “distressing” of a court (where the moss has lifted individual macadam grains out, under trees etc) there is unfortunately no solution. However, if it is only at the back or sides of the courts, and does not affect play, then you may decide to have the other remedial works carried out, with a binder and paint applied to continue the life of the court for another few more years prior to it’s resurface.
Each and every court is individual!!
Colour Combinations
As the area to be painted has not only to be played on, but looked at, the choice of colours to suit the local environment surrounding the court should be considered.
It is recommended a single colour for schools incorporating netball, hockey, tennis, football etc. A colour combination of dark green in the centre (playing area) of a tennis court with a light green outside is recommended for private courts positioned in a garden however there are a number of other court colours avaiable.
The main colours used for Tennis courts are Light Green, Dark Green, Blue and Terracotta Red in any combination for the outer and inner court. Simply click on the thumbnail image at the bottom of the following gallery to view the 16 different colour combinations.
