Adding Sand for Non-Skid

[HeelSpur]

Got a friend that wants his basement steps painted and wants them 100% non-skid, has anyone ever just mixed sand with the paint? If so and it works, how much sand per qt is recommended? The steps are wood.

 

[tikitime]

I tried this once, plain sand is too course. It's like covering the steps with 40 grit sandpaper and rubbing any exposed skin against them will ensure road rash!. Try to get the proper stuff from a paint store, it will be easier to keep them clean also.

Randy

 

[Jagmandave]

They used to use this as texturing, like for ceilings. You can still buy it from the paint stores or even Home Depot.

My only negative about it is that it's difficult to clean, and always looks terrible and black. But, it works......

I guess if you were using a dark colored paint or stain the dirty look wouldn't show so much.

 

[HeelSpur]

He wants a light color and his wife is a bare-footer, its not sounding good so far.

 

[lilredex]

I've used a polymer additive similar to this one. It does not alter the paint colour.

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/behr-non-skid-floor-finish-additive-85g/938950

Sand also works. Generally there are two common types.....concrete sand (fairly gritty/coarse) and brick sand (fairly fine/silky, like you would put in a kid's sandbox) The latter is probably the one you want.

 

[pauloman]

generally avoid sand - not easy for the next guy to sand off --- more common is fine ground walnut shell ---- as you tell, one needs to match the grit to the coating - in a thick epoxy the fine grits vanish away....

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Travel over to a local Sherwin Williams store. They stock sharks-grip.
Very good for all types of coatings and won't hurt your feet.

 

[mstewart]

Travel over to a local Sherwin Williams store. They stock sharks-grip.
Very good for all types of coatings and won't hurt your feet.

The Shark Grip looks like the way to go since it mentions what you can mix it with.

http://www.hcconcrete.com/products/shark-grip-prep-products/Shark_Grip_Slip_Resistant_Additive/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ARFJJ4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

a little OT but I use this additive on my concrete pool deck when I seal it with Kure-N-Seal 25 LV. I think it was $10-12 for the 16 oz. container. The grip is better with this than just using sealer (duh!) but you don't notice it in bare feet. If a kid was running he/she could still slip.

http://www.wrmeadows.com/sure-step-slip-resistant-additive/

Not a polymer expert, but both of these products being polymer based could probably be used the same way even thought the description is different?

 

[RBailey]

Boating stores sell anti slip tape, easy on the feet (I used to sail barefoot) and you can pull it off if it doesn't work.

 

[Will S.]

I'd use Sharkgrip mixed in the paint, or use Lowes' adhesive-backed non-skid stairtreads.