Non-slip coatings are used when a surface needs a new wearing layer that delivers both durability and improved traction. Unlike anti-slip treatments, which modify the surface of certain tiles, coatings sit on top of the surface and become part of how the floor performs day to day. Because of this, coatings are extremely effective but also far less forgiving. Surface preparation, dryness, correct mixing, and curing times must be followed exactly. If any of these steps are rushed or skipped, failure is not a possibility, it is an expectation.

In this module, we cover two coating systems:

• Tub & Shower Non-Slip Coating, designed for barefoot, wet environments.

• Polyaspartic Clear Coating with Traction Bead, designed for high-traffic, high-wear walking surfaces.

Estimated time to complete: 30–40 minutes
Module type: Technical + Practical Learning
Next step after this module: Complete the quiz, submit the actions, then move to Module 5

The Tub & Shower Non-Slip Coating is an acrylic co-polymer–based coating specifically formulated for wet, barefoot environments. It is designed to bond to common bathtub and shower surfaces such as acrylic, fiberglass, and similar composite materials, creating a thin, uniform wearing layer that improves traction without creating a harsh or abrasive feel. Unlike industrial coatings, this system is engineered to remain skin-safe, making it comfortable for standing, sitting, or kneeling in a bathtub or shower.

Because of its skin-safe profile, this coating is also well suited for households with children, elderly occupants, and even pets. Many customers experience pets slipping when being bathed in smooth tubs, and this coating helps improve stability for animals as well, reducing stress and injury risk during bathing. The finish is non-yellowing and visually subtle, so it improves safety without changing the appearance of the tub or shower.

It’s important to understand and explain to customers that this is not a lifetime coating. Like any surface applied in a high-wear, high-cleaning environment, its lifespan depends on usage, cleaning habits, and abrasion. Over time, particularly in frequently used tubs or commercial settings, the coating may wear and require reapplication. This is normal and expected, not a failure of the product.

As a Certified Dealer, you should also be aware that it is perfectly acceptable to experience minor bead or texture loss during the initial period of use. This is part of the normal break-in of the surface and does not mean the coating is failing. The coating will continue to provide improved traction even after this initial settling period, provided it has been installed correctly and maintained properly.

This coating should be recommended when tape or stickers are not suitable, or when the customer wants a seamless, built-in safety solution that is comfortable, discreet, and designed specifically for wet, barefoot use.

This solution is ideal for:

• Residential homes

• Hotels and spas

• Gyms and sports clubs

• Nursing homes

• Hospitals and healthcare facilities

It should be recommended when tape or stickers are not suitable, or when the customer wants a seamless, built-in safety solution rather than an applied accessory.

Installing tub and shower coating correctly comes down to surface compatibility, preparation, dryness, and patience. This coating is forgiving to use but unforgiving of shortcuts.

Before starting, confirm the surface is compatible. Acrylic, fiberglass, and composite tubs and shower bases are suitable. Porcelain and enamel tubs should be assessed carefully and only coated if prep requirements can be met. The surface must be structurally sound with no flexing, cracking, or water ingress beneath it.

Begin by thoroughly cleaning the tub or shower. All soap scum, body oils, conditioners, shampoos, and cleaning residues must be removed. Bathrooms often look clean while still holding invisible contaminants, so take this step seriously. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.

Next, mechanically prepare the surface using fine-grit sandpaper. The goal is not to remove material, but to create a consistent profile so the acrylic co-polymer coating can bond properly. Pay close attention to corners, drain areas, and commonly stood-on zones.

Once sanding is complete, rinse again and dry completely. This step cannot be rushed. Moisture trapped under a coating will cause bonding failure later. Use airflow, towels, and time. If the surface is even slightly damp, do not proceed.

Mask off surrounding areas carefully so the finished job looks clean and professional. Shake and mix the coating according to instructions, then apply evenly using the recommended applicator. Avoid heavy build-up or puddling. A thin, even layer performs better and cures more predictably.

After application, remove masking and allow the coating to cure fully. No water, no foot traffic, and no testing before the recommended cure time has passed. Early use is one of the most common reasons for coating failure.

Correct installation starts with understanding that bonding and dryness are everything.

First, lightly sand the surface using 220-grit sandpaper. This step creates the mechanical profile the coating needs to bond properly. Skipping or rushing sanding is one of the most common causes of coating failure.

Next, thoroughly clean the surface using a household detergent to remove soap residue, oils, and contaminants. Rinse well and then dry the surface completely. There must be no moisture present, especially around drains, corners, and edges. Coatings must never be applied to a damp surface.

Once dry, demarcate the application area using painter’s tape so the finish is clean and professional. Shake the bottle for 5–10 seconds, do not dilute the product, and pour the coating directly onto the surface starting in the center and working outward. Use the supplied foam roller to spread the coating evenly.

After application, wait approximately 5 minutes and remove the painter’s tape. Allow the coating to cure for a minimum of 12 hours before allowing any use of the tub or shower. Early use will compromise the coating and lead to failure. Gloves should be worn during application, and the coating must never be poured down the drain.

Reapplication follows the same core process as the original installation, with one critical addition: thorough inspection. Before reapplying, the existing coating must be carefully checked for signs of cracking, chipping, peeling, or areas of excessive wear. Any loose or failing sections must be removed, and the surface must be properly cleaned, sanded, and dried before a new layer is applied. Recoating over damaged or poorly bonded areas will lead to premature failure.

Tub & shower coating should be sold on comfort, safety, and longevity. Emphasise that it is skin-safe, pet-safe, and designed specifically for barefoot environments. Be clear that the coating improves traction and reduces slip risk, but does not eliminate the need for proper cleaning and maintenance. Customers value honesty, especially in wet areas where expectations must be managed carefully.

Once installed, the tub or shower coating should be treated as a safety-enhancing surface that still requires normal care. Mild, non-abrasive cleaners should be used, and harsh scrubbing tools or aggressive chemicals should be avoided. These can prematurely wear the coating and reduce its effectiveness.

Customers should understand that this coating improves traction but does not eliminate the need for sensible use and regular cleaning. Over time, especially in high-use environments, the coating may show signs of wear. This is normal and simply means the surface is doing its job. When wear becomes noticeable, the coating can be inspected and reapplied to restore performance without replacing the tub or shower.

Opening the conversation

“I see this tub gets pretty slippery when it’s wet. That’s really common, especially with smooth surfaces and soap residue.”

Explaining the solution

“We use a non-slip coating that’s specifically designed for bathtubs and showers. It’s a skin-safe acrylic co-polymer coating, so it’s comfortable to stand or sit on with bare feet, but it adds grip where slips usually happen.”

Setting the right expectation

“It doesn’t make the tub rough or uncomfortable, and it doesn’t change how it looks. What it does is significantly reduce the risk of slipping, especially when the surface is wet. Like any safety solution, it still needs normal cleaning and care.”

Addressing common concerns

“This isn’t a permanent, one-time coating forever. Depending on use and cleaning, it can wear over time, but the good thing is it can be reapplied without replacing the tub.”

Adding extra value

“It also helps with pets slipping during bath time, which a lot of people don’t think about until it becomes a problem.”

Closing naturally

“If you’d like, I can apply this so the tub is safer without changing the space. It’s a simple upgrade that gives you peace of mind every time the tub is used.”

At this stage, Slip No More polyaspartic coatings are not yet available for direct sale or installation by certified dealers. Instead, dealers are provided with demo boards, which are created using a brush-off of the actual coating system. The purpose of these demo boards is not to sell the coating immediately, but to allow you to test the market in your territory. By showing customers a real sample, you can gauge interest, understand demand, and determine whether coatings represent a viable opportunity in your area before investing in inventory, training, or licensing.

There is a practical reason for this cautious approach. In some states, provinces, and countries, coatings fall under hazardous materials regulations, which means additional licensing, permits, or certifications may be required to store, transport, or apply them. These requirements vary by jurisdiction and are not always obvious. Rather than pushing dealers into compliance challenges prematurely, our approach is to equip you with the knowledge first, then support you if and when coatings become a suitable addition to your business.

It’s also important for you to understand that Slip No More manufactures its polyaspartic coatings to comply with the strictest regulatory standards across North America. Our system is VOC compliant in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and meets or exceeds requirements set by multiple governing bodies. The coating complies with USDA and FDA regulations, aligns with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), meets ADA slip resistance guidelines, and supports LEED and Green Seal requirements. This means the product is suitable for use in sensitive environments such as food production areas, commercial kitchens, healthcare facilities, and public buildings where compliance matters.

From a market perspective, our fastest-selling polyaspartic option is clear, and there’s a very specific reason for this. Customers almost always contact us after they’ve experienced a slippery floor problem, not because they want to redesign their space. They want a solution that improves safety without changing how the floor looks. A clear polyaspartic coating acts as a durable, long-lasting topcoat that enhances traction while preserving the existing appearance of the floor. That makes it an easy decision for customers who want safety without disruption, downtime, or visual compromise.

We include this information in your training intentionally, even before coatings are released to dealers, because we believe knowledge should come first. When you understand how coatings work, where they fit, and what regulations surround them, you’re able to have informed, credible conversations with customers from day one. This prepares you for future opportunities, helps you identify demand early, and ensures that when coatings do become available in your territory, you’re ready to move forward confidently and correctly.

Polyaspartic clear coating is a high-performance, two-component coating system designed for floors that demand durability, chemical resistance, and long-term wear performance. Unlike the tub and shower coating, this system is intended for footwear environments, not barefoot comfort. It forms a hard, protective wearing layer that becomes the new surface of the floor.

This coating is compatible with properly prepared concrete and other suitable substrates where a durable, seamless finish is required. It is commonly used in commercial, industrial, and high-traffic environments where slip risk, abrasion, and cleaning demands are all high.

The defining feature of this system is the use of a polypropylene-based traction bead. This bead technology allows traction to be built into the coating in a controlled way. Finer grades can subtly reduce gloss while maintaining a smoother feel, while coarser grades increase slip resistance for walking surfaces without the harsh, sandpaper-like texture associated with silica-based additives.

Because polypropylene beads are low-density, they are far less prone to settling during application, which helps maintain consistent traction across the floor. They also provide superior resistance to burnishing and abrasion, meaning the traction lasts longer under foot traffic and cleaning cycles.

Installation discipline is critical. The floor must be completely dry, free of contamination, and mechanically prepared to the correct profile. Moisture issues, poor prep, or rushed curing will result in bubbling, delamination, or uneven traction. This coating rewards patience and precision and punishes shortcuts.

Polyaspartic coatings cure quickly but still require strict adherence to recoat windows and return-to-service timelines. Dealers must plan access, closures, and curing carefully with the client before starting work. When installed correctly, this system delivers a professional-grade safety and durability upgrade suitable for demanding environments.

This coating is ideal when:

• The floor experiences constant traffic

• Durability is critical

• A clear finish is preferred

• Traction must be built into the coating itself

When applied with a traction bead, the system delivers controlled slip resistance while maintaining cleanability and professional appearance.

The traction bead used in Slip No More coatings is based on proprietary technology, which offers several advantages over traditional silica-based additives. Our beads provide adjustable texture levels, ranging from subtle to more aggressive, without significantly affecting coating flow or consistency. Because our traction beads have a lower density, they are far less prone to settling, which helps maintain uniform traction throughout the application.

These beads offer superior abrasion resistance and a smoother surface feel compared to inorganic grit, while still delivering a higher coefficient of friction suitable for walking surfaces. This makes them ideal for environments where both safety and long-term wear performance matter.

Polyaspartic coatings demand planning and control. Before starting, confirm that the area can be closed off and that temperature and humidity fall within acceptable limits. Application should occur between 60°F and 90°F, and relative humidity must be below 85%. Dew point must be at least 5°F below surface temperature.

Surface preparation must follow ICRI guidelines, with concrete typically requiring a CSP 2 or greater. All bond-breaking materials such as oils, waxes, densifiers, and residues must be removed. Concrete moisture must be tested using ASTM F1869 or F2170 methods. If moisture limits are exceeded, coating should not proceed.

The coating is mixed at a 1:1 ratio by volume and has a working time of approximately 30 minutes. Only mix what you can apply within that window. Once mixed, traction bead must be added consistently and evenly to avoid patchy traction.

After application, the coating typically reaches dry-to-touch in 4–5 hours, allows light foot traffic after approximately 6 hours, and requires several days before vehicle traffic or full chemical resistance is achieved. These curing times must be respected to prevent premature failure