Written by: Rick Lobdell
There are multiple different applications on concrete that require a skid resistance. We have Surf-Grip and High Wear additives that can be used for those applications. With Surf-Grip we have 16, 40, 60, 100 mesh. The names for these sizes, in the same order, are Coarse, Fine, Extra Fine, and Ultra Fine. Each size of the Surf-Grip can be used for different scenarios on projects. Coarse is great for handicap ramps. Fine is a good choice for pool decks and driveways. Extra and Ultra Fine are recommended for patios and sidewalks.
An easy way to look at it is that higher solids use larger grip, lower solids can use smaller grip. Be aware of the thickness, or square foot coverage, of coatings versus the size of the grip. For example, an aggregate driveway uses way more material per square foot than a broom finish patio would use. The aggregate driveway will require more grip since you are applying more material per square foot compared to the broom finish surface.
Extra and Ultra Fine can be added directly into a bucket of sealer and even sprayed out of a sealer sprayer. Due to the size and weight of the Fine and Coarse sizes it may be harder to mix into your material. Both can be mixed into material or broadcast over the coating during application.
We also have 220 and 1200 mesh aluminum oxide grit. They are called High Wear Additive and High Wear Ultra Fine. Aluminum oxide grit will add minor slip resistance to the surface but more importantly will add durability to the coating it is used in. The High Wear Ultra Fine is so small that you will not see it on the surface. It will tone down the gloss a little bit and make the coating a lot harder, but you will not see or feel it. The High Wear Additive is great to add to clear topcoats, you want to apply the clear coat a lot thinner than normal. For example, instead of applying MCU 85 at 250 sq ft a gallon like we recommend, I apply it at 500 sq ft a gallon when High Wear is added to it. This makes a super durable, slip resistant surface that is great for interior applications.
When mixing grip into your coatings make sure to be aware of a couple points. First, the grip will slowly sink to the bottom of the material. Make sure you mix the grip into your material thoroughly before you begin. Second, the grip will sink to the bottom of your tray while you dip and rolling material on floor. Make sure to agitate material frequently. Third, don’t let your tray get low on material. You will see white roller marks on the floor if you have too much grip on your roller. Keep adding material to your tray to keep this from happening.
Adding grip over flake projects adds another step. If you are adding the Fine, 40 mesh for example, grip over flake we would suggest broadcasting it into the wet coating and back roll. On a typical solid color or clear coat project you are applying these coatings at around 250-300 sq ft a gallon. When you are clear coating directly over flake you are coating at 100-150 sq ft a gallon. Clearly almost all of these grits, outside of Coarse, will disappear into a coating that thick. When grip is needed, we always recommend applying a 2nd coat over flake and adding the grip to that coat. That way you can coat the surface at the recommended coverage rate and achieve the slip resistance you are looking for.
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