Install Road Studs in 8 Steps

Step 1: Purchase the Road Studs

The first step in installing road studs is to purchase the correct size, colour and kind. They also need to comply with SANS EN 1463-1.

It’s important to note that not all classifications or brands of road studs are created equal and that some may not even be suitable for use on your roads. To ensure safety, be sure that you source yours from a trusted manufacturer that will also support you in the selection process.

Step 2: Demarcate Your Working Area

Ensure your work environment is safe and measures are in place to keep traffic away from your work crew. Be sure you have enough space to work in. If you are working near a guardrail or other barrier, put measures in place to prevent any damage when installing road studs.

Make sure you or your team have enough space for the studs to be installed. You need at least 1 meter all around to ensure optimum working space and safety.

Step 3: Planning, Mapping and Hole Drilling

You will need to know the correct size of the holes that you need to drill. The size is based on your studs and how far apart you want them placed. It must be enough space between each stud so that it does not cause an accident, but not too much room so that there is a lot of material wasted in between them. The general rule of thumb is for spacing to be anything from 2.5m to 18m. The vital aspect as per COTO standards is that cat eyes are reflecting at distances of 50m or more at night.

To measure out where you are going to drill your holes, first mark out your design using chalk or paint onto the ground where you want your road studs to go. Then use a measuring tape or yardstick as a straight edge along this line to ensure accuracy when marking out your drill locations.

Step 4: Properly Clean the Road Before Installation

Use a pressure washer to clean the road surface before you install road studs. Use a broom to remove any debris from the chosen areas of your road surface.

Remove excess water with a squeegee, otherwise, it may cause epoxy resin glue to not adhere properly to the road surface.

Step 5: Choose a Day That Is Not Too Hot or Too Cold

Work on a day that is not too hot, cold, windy or rainy. The perfect temperature for installation is around 21°C.

If you’re installing road studs on a day when there’s going to be rain later in the evening, wait until after the rain has passed before proceeding with the installation.

Step 6: Use Epoxy Glue

Epoxy adhesive is the best method for installing road studs because it creates a stronger hold. When applying epoxy always use gloves for personal safety purposes.

Mix two parts of epoxy resin glue and one part hardener thoroughly in a disposable cup to create a mixed solution.

Using a brush, apply the mix to each installation point on your vehicle’s fender or hood until you have completely covered it in epoxied resin.

Be sure to get some into all of the grooves to ensure a longer-lasting installation.

Step 7: Placement

When you finally install road studs, push the shank of the stud through the epoxy glue and into the hole. Make sure there is enough epoxy to completely cover the underside of the stud and secure the shank in the hole.

Align the stud properly so that the lens faces oncoming traffic. The wrong alignment of the road stud will minimise the effectiveness of the retro-reflective lens and not comply with the required SANS standards.

Scrape away any extra epoxy glue and return it to the glue pot for later use. Take care not to get any epoxy glue onto the stud lens.