Non Slip Paint

Imagine a simple consumer type paint you can simply brush or spray on that adds a slip resistant surface where applied? Not surprisingly such things do exist.

Non slip paint is fairly popular in fact and comes in many varieties, a few of which we will examine here as examples of what is available. Of course you could also ask at your local hardware store or look online, but t helps if you know about some of the basics and a little about what is available first.

First of all, you could make your own non slip paint but it probably would not last super long or be real great. You could just add some sand or grit to existing paint before using it, although it might sink to the bottom rapidly even while you are painting. Or you could do what my uncle did when he painted stairs by an outdoor shower at a summer house: sprinkle some fine beach sand onto the wet paint. This worked quite well but with the availability of non slip paints which work much better and that have a surface that lasts much longer this is not necessary (maybe my uncle should have patented his idea?).

Here are a few examples of non slip paint and other solutions:

Rust Oleum® AS2102 Anti-slip Spray Paint is a pretty neat product. It is an inexpensive spray on clear paint useful for stairs, as well as other surfaces like around pools, on decks, as well as walkways and ramps. They suggest it for wood, concrete, ceramic and metal. It creates a durable surface that is peel and crack resistant.

One reviewer who recommends it used it to create a non slip stair surface for his dog. He suggests applying a little to test it first. "Easy does it on the application though...too much and it will run or pool."

A similar option is Krylon 3400 Non-Skid Clear, a clear aerosol spray on. It is recommend for surfaces like stair treads, boat docks, and ladders, and dries in 30 minutes. Reviewer George Baldwin used in on his boat and writes "My wife really appreciates the way she can now climb aboard with wet shoes without slipping. Thanks for a wonderful product." He certainly recommends it!

An example of brush on non slip paint is Insl-x Coatings Anti-slip Coating Paint. It is 100% acrylic and suitable for indoors and out and can be brushed or rolled on. It's recommended for wooden steps, walkways, patios, pool areas and tennis courts and as well as any concrete or asphalt, surfaces. Dries to the touch in a couple of hours and for walking on in 24 hours.

Remember how I mentioned you could theoretically just add sand or some other grit to your regular paint before painting? Well, you certainly can and it will work well if you use a commercially available additive that is designed especially for this purpose. One example is Homax Products Slip Paint Additive. You add it to any floor paint before use. It's cheap, each bag adds to a gallon of paint, and convenient.

So, we've looked at three different examples for non slip paint: spray on, brush/roll on, and gritty additive for regular paint. They certainly all have their uses, and are inexpensive solutions.