Even the best resurfaced concrete can be dangerously slippery when wet — especially if it’s polished, sealed, or lightly textured. Applying an anti-slip coating is a simple, highly effective way to improve floor safety without sacrificing looks or durability. In this guide, we'll show you how to apply anti-slip coatings to resurfaced concrete floors step-by-step for maximum grip and performance.
Choose a coating compatible with your resurfacing material and intended use. Options include clear slip-resistant sealers, epoxy coatings with grit additives, or urethane topcoats with microbeads. For light-duty residential areas, clear slip-resistant additives often work. For heavy traffic or industrial floors, tougher epoxy-based systems with aluminum oxide grit provide longer wear resistance. Always verify coating compatibility with your underlying resurfacer or overlay.
Before coating, ensure the resurfaced floor is fully cured (usually 24–72 hours minimum) and clean. Remove dust, dirt, oils, and any laitance. Perform a simple water absorption test: sprinkle water onto the surface. If it soaks in slowly, the floor is ready. If it beads heavily, you may need light sanding or chemical etching to improve coating adhesion. Coatings bond far better to clean, lightly textured surfaces.
Follow your coating manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Some systems have pre-blended slip resistance, while others require you to manually stir in aggregates (such as silica, microbeads, or aluminum oxide). Stir anti-slip additives evenly through the coating using a slow-speed mixer. Avoid clumping. For broadcast systems, you’ll apply the additive separately onto the wet coating rather than premixing — check your system requirements first.
Apply your first layer using a roller (typically 10–13mm nap) or squeegee depending on the coating type. Work in small, manageable sections and maintain a wet edge. Spread evenly without pooling or heavy buildup. Roll in consistent, overlapping passes to ensure uniform film thickness. Proper base layer thickness is critical — too thin and the anti-slip grit won't embed properly; too thick and the coating may trap air or cure unevenly.
For broadcast systems, immediately scatter anti-slip grit by hand or with a mechanical spreader into the wet first coat. Broadcast evenly — avoid heavy piles or bald patches. Use high-quality, clean, dry aggregate. After curing, sweep or vacuum off any excess loose grit before applying the final sealing coat. For pre-mixed systems, no broadcast is needed — the texture will develop as the coating cures.
Once the grit-embedded basecoat is dry (typically 6–24 hours), apply a final clear topcoat to lock in the aggregate and protect the surface from wear and weathering. Apply uniformly using rollers or squeegees. This sealing coat improves cleaning, prevents grit loss, and enhances UV and chemical resistance. Avoid excessive buildup that might obscure the slip texture. Two light coats are often better than one heavy coat.
Protect the coated surface from foot traffic, rain, and contamination during curing. Most anti-slip coatings are dry to touch in a few hours but require 24–72 hours for full curing and chemical resistance. Always follow manufacturer cure schedules. Testing early can permanently mark or weaken coatings. Once cured, the floor will offer significantly improved slip resistance while remaining easy to maintain and visually attractive.
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