Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Island County Public Works Kicks Off Lane Striping
[ISLAND COUNTY, WA – May 27, 2025] – Island Springtime means one thing for Island County Public Works — it's time to hit the road.
The county’s trusty striping truck will soon be spotted on county roadways refreshing the white and yellow lines that help keep everyone safe behind the wheel. Each year, our traffic crew restripes around 500 lane miles using specially formulated paint mixed with tiny glass beads. These beads reflect headlights, making the stripes easier to see at night and in rainy weather.
The paint dries quickly but is still vulnerable when freshly applied. Driving over wet paint can smear the lines, damage your car, and put a damper on your day. Island County will not be washing cars for those who get paint on their vehicles from driving over new stripes.
Here’s how you can help Public Works to get the job done right:
- Stay informed. Check traffic updates and follow us on social media to see where striping will take place each week. Rain will affect the schedule.
- Heed the signs. Look out for "Wet Paint" signs and warning trucks — the striping truck is nearby.
- Avoid the stripes. Don't drive across freshly painted lines. If you see a follower vehicle behind the striping truck, stay behind it — it's there to show where the paint is still drying.
- Keep your distance. Signs will indicate how far back to stay. Giving the striping truck space helps road crews to finish faster and keep your vehicle paint-free.
Road work may not always be convenient, but with your help, Island County’s striping crew can lay down clean, crisp lines that make driving safer for everyone.
Paint striping is weather dependent and subject to change.
Want to learn more? Check out the FAQs below.
Frequent Questions about Road Striping
Island County Public Works – Roads Division
What is striping season? Each year, Island County maintenance crews spend the dry summer months re-striping approximately 500 lane miles of roadway on Whidbey and Camano islands. The fresh coats of reflective paint stripe that crews apply during spring, summer and fall make it easier for drivers to see the road when the winter rains return.
What can drivers do to avoid the wet paint? Drivers can protect their car from damage by keeping an eye out for striping crews and avoiding lane changes on freshly painted lines.
- Watch for “wet paint” warning signs and warning trucks and avoid following too closely.
- Avoid crossing or driving on freshly painted lines. Do not go around cones or weave in and out of your lane of travel.
What happens when drivers drive over wet paint? When drivers go over the wet lane stripes their tires splatter paint onto their vehicles and remove thousands of tiny glass reflector beads that are designed to be clearly visible when illuminated by headlights. The reflective lane stripe helps drivers see the road at night and in the rain.
What can I do if I get striping paint on my vehicle? The paint used on roadways is engineered to last, which means it is extremely difficult to remove if it dries on your car. However, because the paint is water-based, drivers may have about one hour to wash it off with a high-pressure hose.
Will Island County pay for drivers to remove paint from their vehicles? No. If a driver crosses wet paint when wet paint warning signs are present, the county will deny the reimbursement claim. Driving on fresh paint is against the WA State law (WAC 308-330-412).
How many miles will Island County stripe this year? Between April and October, county maintenance crews will re-stripe more than 500 lane miles of road. Striping is weather-dependent.
How many gallons will Island County paint per day? The striping crew typically paints approximately 500 gallons a day until returning to the shop to re-fill. Striping is usually done between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. daily. Times subject to change.How warm does it have to be to stripe? A roadway must be dry and at least 50 degrees.
How long does the striping paint take to dry? Island County uses fast-drying paint that takes from 30 seconds to five minutes to dry, depending on weather. What makes the paint reflective? Reflective paint is a type of paint which contains thousands of little glass beads designed to reflect a lot of light, even at night. It is most frequently used for striping and road signs but is also used on license plates. When a vehicle’s headlights hit the paint, tiny spheres in the glass beads reflect the light, making the road brighter for drivers in dark and rainy conditions. All the reflective beads are made from 100% recycled glass.
A head’s up: Driving on fresh paint will not only mess up your vehicle’s paint job, it’s against the law.
• For more information, email County Engineer Ed Sewester at ed.sewester@islandcountywa.gov or call 360-679-7334.