A question for you since you are in the business, if you are willing to answer.
I'm sure it varies, but how much of the final field comes pre-painted? Meaning hashmarks, logos etc.? Is a lot of that painted on site or done in the factory ahead of time?
I've noticed teams that maybe sold their name of the stadium to a company or maybe have a new conference that there is more of a patch work as the background green doesn't match the rest of the field due to fading, UV impact etc.
Also, is it common for facilities that are shared by multiple teams (say NCAA and NFL, or maybe MLS) to have a different roll of material for the endzones that are changed out as needed?
Happy to answer.
Engineers like me live for this stuff.
All of the synthetic turf fields I've done are Field Turf,so I can only talk about their products.
1.None of the permanent markings are "painted".
They're actually sewn into the turf.
Used to be that the permanent markings were all installed on site.
You'd "shave" the turf and then sew in the markings.
Now I'd say at least 85% of the permanent markings are installed at the factory.
2.You can "paint" temporary markings on the turf.
Most fields we do have permanent football and soccer markings.
Some schools now use the fields for lacrosse or field hockey too.
So that means temporary markings.
You use latex paint.
Field Turf tells you what type of paint to use.
The also give you a "dilution ratio" for how long you want the markings to last.
3.Changing permanent markings and repairing synthetic turf is always an issue.
The area around bases wears much faster then the rest of the turf,so they have be replaced at least a couple of times over the life of the rest of the turf.
We always recommend replacing the turf around all of the bases,so the colors match.There will be some differences with the rest of infield,if its supposed to look like "skin",but you do the best you can.
Sometimes we'll use a contrasting color,around the bases,to "hide" the difference.
Green turf is tougher.
In addition to fading,the "model" of turf may no longer be available.Field Turf is constantly upgrading their products.So, in addition to an exact color match,"texture" may also be different.
That's happens a lot,when you have to try to repair "older" (5+ years) turf.
4.As far as the same field being used for different teams.
Some high schools,like Birnie Crum in Allentown have dual logs.
If you have a limited budget,you get "blank" turf and paint the logos as needed.
If you're the NFL,you do like Metlife.
They had,don't know if they still do,several "sets" of end zone turfs in trays (Jets,Giants,"blank").
Just "zip" (literally) one out and put another one in.
Just takes a couple of hours each.
If not, you have to remove the "infill",roll up the mat,roll out the alternate
mat and reinstall the infill.
Takes just bit longer.
Interesting story about temporary markings.
At one time,Giants Stadium was used for some soccer games.
The used to paint temporary markings.
Thing is,the NFL requires NFL football markings only.
That meant "scrubbing" off the temporary markings after the game was over.
Then the field had to be inspected to assure none of the markings were visible.
Any sign of a marking,re-scrub.
Needless to say,that cut the turf's useuful life way down.
way down.