SHARKGRIP Tub & Tile Coatings
Anti-slip Crystals
- SKU:
- TG16
- MPN:
- TG16
- Condition:
- New
- Availability:
- Usually Ships the Same Day
- Weight:
- 1.00 LBS
- Shipping:
- $10.50 (Fixed Shipping Cost)
Description
Slip-resistant surfaces can trap minerals, hard water deposits, soap residues, and body oils, which often lead to discoloration over time. However, not all slip-resistant crystals are created equal. Many on the market are made from recycled PVC, a powdered material derived from plumbing pipes. These PVC crystals are soft, easily stained, and prone to degradation. Please confirm what type of Crystals are being used. We exclusively use and recommend Polycarbonate Crystals. Unlike PVC or Polypropylene crystals, which are commonly used but inferior, Polycarbonate Crystals offer superior durability and stain resistance. While I can’t confirm the composition of the crystals you're using, it’s a well-known issue among refinishers that Polypropylene crystals often lead to stained and discolored surfaces, particularly in high-use areas like the bottoms of tubs.
Polypropylene, often used as an anti-slip additive, shares similarities with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) in terms of its chemical composition and characteristics. Both materials are polymers derived from petrochemicals, but polypropylene tends to have properties that make it less desirable in certain applications, particularly in anti-slip coatings.
Why Polypropylene Stains Easily
Porosity and Surface Texture: Polypropylene has a semi-porous surface, which can trap oils, dirt, and other contaminants. This porosity makes it prone to discoloration over time, especially when exposed to staining agents like body oils, soap residues, or hard water deposits.
Chemical Composition: Like PVC, polypropylene is less resistant to chemical degradation when compared to more robust materials such as polycarbonate. Its softer molecular structure can allow staining agents to penetrate the surface, leading to permanent discoloration.
UV Susceptibility: Polypropylene is more vulnerable to UV degradation than other materials. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can exacerbate staining and discoloration, especially in outdoor or high-UV environments.
Recycled Content: Many polypropylene additives are made from recycled material, often originating from industrial waste like plumbing pipes or packaging materials. This recycled content may include impurities or residues that further compromise the material’s resistance to staining.
Low Chemical Resistance: Unlike higher-grade materials like polycarbonate, polypropylene lacks strong chemical resistance. This makes it more likely to absorb or react with substances it comes into contact with, such as cleaning products or environmental contaminants, leading to unsightly stains.
Polycarbonate -vs- Polypropylene
These are the two main types of polymer additives you will find on the market today. Although both will accomplish the task of creating texture on the surface of your coating, we have found the polycarbonates to be far superior.
Optical Clarity - Polycarbonates are almost crystal clear when suspended in a clear coating. Polypropylene doesn't transmit light as efficiently, giving it a slight milky, hazy, opaque appearance. This can distort and diminish the color of stains, dyes, graphics or any other surface being clear coated.
Durability - Polycarbonates are harder, more durable, more chemical resistant and longer lasting than polypropylenes. What good is a non-slip texture if it wears away?
Density - Polycarbonates are slightly heavier than polypropylenes... Wait, isn't their ultra light weight one of the advertised benefits of polypropylenes? Although the fact that polypropylenes will suspend or even float in some coatings, making the mixing and application process marginally easier for inexperienced applicators, our testing has shown that overall it really isn't a benefit at all.
When particles are suspended in a coating, the coating itself must support all the weight of the traffic, vehicles, furniture, equipment, etc. being applied to those particles that extend above the surface to create the desired texture. This stress can cause micro-cracks and premature failure of the coating itself. Polycarbonates are just slightly heavier, which allows them to settle and rest on the weight bearing substrate below.
This allows the weight of traffic to be transmitted directly to the substrate rather than to the coating itself, resulting in a stronger flooring system. This is the same principle behind heavy-duty commercial quartz floors where the quartz sand provides exceptional compressive strength.
Be sure to choose the texture size that is right for your specific project. Although "grit" size and "mesh" size are not exactly the same thing, you can get a rough idea of particle size by comparing the textures of 40 and 60 grit sheets of sandpaper. But... remember that unlike the particles on your sandpaper, these particles will be embedded in a coating. The type and thickness of the coating you choose, along with the amount of grip you add, will greatly affect the final texture. Doing a small test area with the actual coating you plan to use is the only way to determine exactly how aggressive the final texture will be on your particular surface
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