Traction additive for sealers

[gryan]

Has anybody used a traction additive like shark grip in a solvent based sealer for pavers? If so how did it work? Is it visible compared to sealing without it? What type of life does it have for a typical pedestrian application? I am considering using it on slopes or high risk areas.

[Paver]

Sorry, can't help you with this one, never tried it. Anyone else out there have any advice? I'm curious about it too.

[Derek]

We use Shark Grip on a fairly regular basis on stamped concrete, concrete pavers, and wetcast slabs.

We have used it in several different solvent-based acrylic sealers and are currently testing it in water-based coatings (SureBond 7000) to see if it will hold for use on natural stone products.

Shark Grip works GREAT. I would think longevity would be the life of the sealer. In fact, when sealing new stamped, it is recommended in the first coat...with the second coat over the top...and still works.

You can see it depending on the product you are sealing. Shark Grip must always be rolled (we roll ALL solvent-based applications which gives a better end product to our clients) and not sprayed or it can collect and clump out of the sprayer. Pavement color, texture, and surface variation all can contribute to making the product "visible" (or NOT visible). Usually you will only see it on very smooth uneven surfaces where the sealer has a chance to run or pool slightly in one area (wetcast pavers or stamped concrete). The Shark Grip will run with the excess sealer allowing the Shark Grip to accumulate enough to be visible. Corner joints on tumbled concrete pavers as well as wide joints in any pavement (Unilock's Courtstone comes to mind) may also show this phenomenon to a limited extent. This can be partially avoided by taking care when rolling the material on...and backrolling properly to avoid excess pooling or running. These can also be fixed to some extent after curing with solvent or a metal pick or scraper if it is extremely unsightly.

[BossPaver]

Is it available in differet grit sizes and how much does it increase the coating thickness?


Happy New Years

Steve Jones

[Derek]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Steve!

It is only available in one size, although I got several bottles this year that have to go back...they had a batch made that was recalled when some of the particles came out looking like pretzel salt!!

It is very VERY fine plastic powder...you only add a one quart jar (I think it is a pound of plastic) to 5 gals. I haven't noticed too much thickening...even in very thin VOC compliant sealer products. In fact, I have tried adding it directly to straight solvent to test re-emulsification coating with slip resistance and it does not suspend. In this type of application I recommend at least one part sealer in 3 to 4 parts solvent. The viscosity of the sealer allows the shark grip to suspend...even in those kind of mixes you are stirring the pan with every roll (which you should get in the habit of anyway when working with this product).

I have done some testing with water based coating sealers and Shark Grip, but they haven't been very promising...yet...still have some testing to do.

[BossPaver]

same to you and your family

[Derek]

After re-reading your question, I may not have answered what you were asking...

The actual coating thickness is not affected per se.

The particulate matter is "glued" to the surface by the sealer adhering. It is very fine...finer than masons sand. On a typical concrete paver...the only noticeable difference is, compared to a normally sealed paver, the one with Shark Grip is less slippery or has less "skid". You really do not even notice the particulate, barefoot or barehanded. On a smoother surfaced paving product such as wetcast, you may feel some particulate (due to the smaller surface pore structure), giving the surface a slightly grainy feel, but not sharp or uncomfortable. We have even used this product on honed (not polished) travertine. It came out feeling slightly like very VERY fine grit sandpaper with the particulate spread out. Still not uncomfortable to barefeet, but getting there...but this is an extreme example of a VERY smooth and even surface with no noticable pore structure.