How to Apply Anti-Slip Acrylic Floor Paint: A Step-By-Step Guide

Coo-Var Anti-Slip Acrylic Floor Paint is a water-based, hard-wearing coating designed to provide a durable, slip-resistant finish on floors and other suitable surfaces.

This guide explains how to prepare and apply Anti-Slip Acrylic Floor Paint to both bare surfaces and previously painted floors.

Before You Start

Good preparation is essential for a successful application. The surface must be clean, dry, sound and free from oil, grease, dust and other contamination.

You will typically need:

Coo-Var Anti-Slip Acrylic Floor Paint
Roller suitable for floor coatings
Paint brush for edges and awkward areas
Clean water for thinning
Suitable cleaning/degreasing products
Abrasive paper or mechanical preparation equipment where required

Step 1: Clean and Prepare the Floor

Remove all dirt, dust, oil, grease and other contamination from the surface.

Use a suitable degreaser or oil remover where required and allow the surface to dry thoroughly.

Bare Concrete

New concrete must be sufficiently cured and dry before painting.

Smooth, polished or power-floated concrete may require mechanical abrasion to provide a suitable key for the coating.

Where required, Coo-Var Acid Etch can help prepare the surface by removing contamination and providing a suitable profile for the paint to adhere to.

Remove all residue after preparation and ensure the floor is completely dry before painting.

Previously Painted Floors

Check that the existing coating is sound, well adhered and suitable for overcoating.

Remove loose, flaking or poorly adhered paint and thoroughly clean and degrease the surface.

Abrade smooth or glossy areas to provide a suitable key, then remove all dust before painting.

If you are unsure about compatibility, carry out a test area before coating the whole floor.

Step 2: Apply the First Coat

Coo-Var Anti-Slip Acrylic Floor Paint is self-priming.

For bare concrete, thin the first coat by 5% with clean water.

Mix the paint thoroughly, then apply an even coat using a suitable roller. Use a brush around edges and awkward areas.

Avoid applying the coating too heavily, as this can increase drying times and affect the finish.

Step 3: Apply the Second & Third Coat

Allow the first coat to dry sufficiently before applying the second.

Apply a full coat of undiluted Anti-Slip Acrylic Floor Paint, working systematically across the floor to achieve an even finish.

Once the second coat has dried, apply a third where required.

Take care not to overwork the coating, as this can affect the distribution of the anti-slip aggregate.

Step 4: Allow to Dry

Allow the final coat to dry before putting the floor back into use.

Typical drying times are approximately:

Touch dry: 1 hour
Hard dry: 4 hours
Overcoat: approximately 6 hours
Walkable: approximately 12 hours

Drying times can vary depending on temperature, humidity, ventilation and the surface being coated.

Tips for a Better Finish

Make sure the surface is clean, dry and properly prepared.
Remove loose or flaking existing paint before overcoating.
Abrade smooth or glossy surfaces.
Do not apply the paint excessively thickly.
Work systematically to maintain an even finish.
Avoid overworking the paint once applied.
Allow sufficient drying time between coats.
Test a small area first if you are unsure about compatibility.

Need Help Choosing the Right Floor Paint?

Coo-Var offers a range of floor coatings for different surfaces, environments and performance requirements.

Explore the Coo-Var Floor Paint range or contact our team for free technical support, specs and site visits where required.

Need help with your project?

Need help selecting the right coating system for your project? Our experienced technical team provides expert guidance, tailored specifications, site visits, and on-site support to ensure you achieve the best possible results. Whether you’re working with concrete floors, metal surfaces, damp problems, or specialist environments, we can recommend the most suitable paints, primers, and surface preparation methods for your application. Complete the contact form and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your project requirements and arrange a site visit if needed.