Attn DIY'ers- Surface Covering

[wildo]

I've not covered any agility equipment using the wet paint/sand technique, but I've used the method in other applications. It just doesn't seem even close to as effective as a true rubber chip covering such as Contact-a-coat. Has anyone come up with any better DIY covering ideas?

I've considered:

• Wet Paint/Sand combo
• Outdoor carpet
• Loctite Color Guard
• Exercise Rubber mat

I feel like the sand won't be effective, the carpet will get moldy/slippery, and the rubber coating of the color guard will be slippery when wet (since it will have a consistent, smooth surface). The exercise mat seems like a really good option, but it is practically as expensive as the contact-a-coat.

...Surely there is a good DIY option out there. What do all you guys use?

[JakodaCD OA]

I use the sand.. I usually paint two coats...outside paint, mix a container full at a time with the sand...My second coat if I don't think it's 'gritty' enough, I'll add whatever amount..My contact stuff has lasted me a good 3 years without having to repaint/resand.

Don't like the carpet / rubber just for the reasons you listed

[wildo]

I'm probably making a big deal out of nothing. I just like to do things "the best way I can." I love the idea of a rubber chip covering, but maybe it's really no big deal. How much sand do you use per gallon of paint- and do you mix the sand into the paint and then brush/roll it on? Or perhaps you brush/roll on the paint and then distribute the sand onto the wet paint?

[JakodaCD OA]

I've done both,,,I usually put some paint in a bucket (not like a whole gallon),,,and start adding sand,,keep giving it a stir, because the sand usually settles to the bottom of the bucket..I take a BIG brush, and slop it on Sometimes for the second coat,,,I will paint first, and then while it's wet, throw sand in areas I think are needed. But I do like to then go back over "that" sand with some paint..

I like the rubber to, but we don't see many trials using it,, at one point, some got rid of slats, got em back, wasn't using sand, started using rubber, they switch ALL the time( I think having "something" is better than having 'nothing' which makes things REALLY slippery.

Heck I didn't even buy my sand, I went to the beach and got a couple bucket fulls..
I DO like it really gritty, so ya just have use your own judgement on how gritty you want it My contact equip is brilliant blue and the contacts are like a neon yellow

[wildo]

Very helpful- much thanks!

I've never trialed, so I didn't really know that it changed so often. I supposed I viewed it as the "ultra nice, professional, competition" equipment used rubber chip, therefore that's what I wanted to make. I think I'll just go with the sand... it's WAY cheaper than anything else.

[wildo]

By chance, Jakoda- is there any way you could take a macro photo of one of your contact pieces? I'd like to get a visual on just what you mean by:

I DO like it really gritty, so ya just have use your own judgement on how gritty you want it

(emphasis mine) Maybe you could even put a coin in the picture for perspective?

[JakodaCD OA]

Sure I'll try to get one this weekend, when I drag it all out of storage) I don't think I have any in my albums, but I look

[Guardyan]

We used exterior paint with some sawdust mixed in the last time we resurfaced. It gives nice traction for alot less moolah than the rubberized coating.

[CassandGunnar]

I have no idea how expensive it is, but they also sell kits for coating garage floors and putting a grit on them. I think it's some kind of epoxy or similar 2 part system and you can adjust the amount of grit.
Might be worth looking at.
Never used it, but that's what popped into my mind.

[AgileGSD]

The equipment here is all sand and paint, works really well and was what was used by just about everyone until very recently.