Going though some photos the other day, I came across a picture or two I took at Strasburg a couple of years ago of the anti-slip paint coating they apply to the steps of their passenger cars. It appears to be a paint-on solution with "grit" in it to achieve the desired level of friction between the passenger/crew member's foot and the surface. It appeared to be an elegant, yet simple solution. Looks like you could tint the coating to match the car, and it doesn't look like an anti slip coating until you are right next to it. What is this product?

Working around passenger equipment, I realize that diamont tread and steel steps can get very slippery when wet. I've seen several approaches to solve this, including putting the peel and stick friction pads.

Does anyone else have experience with anti-slip coatings on passenger car/caboose steps, both wood and steel? I'm curious.

The old solution is to lay a heavy coat of paint on potentially slippery surfaces, and sprinkle a generous amount of dry sand on top. Allow to dry, then brush/ blow the excess off, then apply another coat of paint.

This creates a surface with a gritty finish that resists the tendency to become slippery when wet.

The nice part of this old method is that it's "dirt cheap"... sorry...

Steve Hunter

At Strasburg we use American Safety Technologies products for anti-skid applications. They are as follows –
AS-75 water based.
AS-150 solvent based.
We get these from McMaster-Carr.

We used to use the sand on the paint method, but we found this stands-up much longer.

Rick

With AwlGrip, the 2-part paint I work with for its durability, this is the recommended procedure, albeit with a specific grit additive they sell for that purpose. I hope I am not paying $20/quart for sand.

I have also just mixed the grit into the second coat.

This gives you two advantages, first, the paint color matches the rest of the car, and second, presumably the sandy stuff has the same weather longevity as the normal stuff.

I'm not particular to Awlgrip, but I insist on 2-part products, because 1-part products simply do not hold up as well. Of course it may be irrelevant on a stepping surface if it is often-used, because of wear.

All good responses, and I can't argue with using the grit specified by the paint manufacturer. But I'll pass this along for those who need a "quick 'n dirty" procedure for display steps, etc. When I worked at the CTA years ago, the old shop painter swore that common sand was no good; too slick to stay stuck. His recommendation was to sprinkle oil dry (kitty litter, Fuller's earth) into the paint, then put another finish coat on top of it. The theory was that the oil dry absorbed the paint and became one with it.

Quick and easy. I put American Traditions "Non-skid" from the local Lowes, brushed over a fresh coat of oil based primer on new wood. This is a ramp off a porch that sees daily use. The non-skid lasted five years before I did a quick repaint, which has lasted about 18 months.

Bob

Rick, what's the longevity of the AS materials in your application at Strasburg? How does it compare to the sand on paint method?

David,

We typically get about 6 years of service before we have to redo it. The most important thing is to use the proper primer and follow the application instructions to the "t".

Rick