INSL-X Sure Step Acrylic Anti-Slip Paint

INSL-X Sure Step Anti-Slip Paint for High-Traffic Walking Surfaces

INSL-X Sure Step Acrylic Anti-Slip Paint is a durable 100% acrylic floor coating formulated with a special anti-slip aggregate to provide a textured, skid-resistant finish on interior and exterior walking surfaces.

Designed for areas exposed to frequent foot traffic, Sure Step provides excellent colour retention, abrasion resistance and resistance to ponding water. It is ideal for patios, walkways, steps, pool decks, tennis courts and other properly prepared surfaces where additional slip resistance is desired.

Its fast-drying, water-based formula allows light foot traffic just 24 hours after the final coat, with full return to service in approximately five days.

Why Choose INSL-X Sure Step?

Sure Step combines a textured anti-slip finish with the durability of a 100% acrylic floor coating for residential and commercial walking surfaces.

Key Features

• 100% acrylic anti-slip floor coating

• Special anti-slip aggregate provides a textured, skid-resistant finish

• Interior and exterior use

• Designed for high foot-traffic areas

• Excellent abrasion resistance

• Excellent colour retention

• Resistant to ponding water

• Helps fill and seal minor surface cracks

• Fast drying

• Light foot traffic after 24 hours

• Heavy foot traffic after approximately 4–5 days

• Low VOC

• Water-based formula

• Soap-and-water cleanup

• Apply by roller, brush or squeegee

• Available in ready-made colours and tint bases

Where Can INSL-X Sure Step Be Used?

Sure Step is designed for walking surfaces exposed to foot traffic, including:

• Patios

• Walkways

• Steps and stairs

• Pool decks

• Tennis courts

• Sidewalks

• Porches

• Basement floors

• Other residential and commercial pedestrian surfaces

Depending on proper surface preparation and priming requirements, Sure Step can be used over substrates including concrete, asphalt, wood and metal.

Not for Vehicular Traffic

Sure Step is designed for foot traffic only.

Do not use it on garage floors, driveways or other surfaces that will be subjected to cars, trucks or other vehicular traffic.

For garage floors or other vehicle areas, use a coating specifically designed for vehicular traffic.

Coverage

Apply Sure Step at approximately:

80–120 sq. ft. per 3.79 L gallon

Two coats are required for proper performance.

Because Sure Step contains anti-slip aggregate and is applied at a relatively high film build, its coverage is considerably lower than conventional floor paint.

Actual coverage can vary according to surface texture, porosity and application method.

Drying & Return-to-Service Times

At approximately 25°C (77°F) and 50% relative humidity:

Dry to touch: 1–2 hours

Recoat: 8 hours

Light foot traffic: 24 hours after the final coat

Heavy foot traffic: approximately 4–5 days after the final coat

Full return to service: approximately 5 days

Cool temperatures and high humidity will increase drying, recoating and return-to-service times.

Does Sure Step Require a Primer?

Sure Step is self-priming on properly prepared bare concrete, bare asphalt and previously coated surfaces that are in good condition.

Some surfaces require an appropriate primer.

Uncoated Wood

Prime bare wood with a suitable primer formulated for walking surfaces. Wood susceptible to tannin staining may require an appropriate oil-based primer.

Uncoated Metal

Bare metal requires an appropriate metal primer before applying Sure Step.

Previously coated metal should be spot-primed wherever bare metal is exposed or corrosion is beginning to develop.

Surface Preparation

All surfaces must be properly prepared before applying Sure Step.

Surfaces should be clean, dry and free from oil, grease, dirt, dust, mildew, loose paint and other contaminants that could interfere with adhesion.

Bare Concrete

Fully cured concrete must be clean, dry and free from oil, grease, curing compounds and other contaminants.

Bare concrete should be properly etched to produce a surface profile similar to fine sandpaper.

Previously Coated Concrete

Remove dirt, grease and contaminants. Remove loose or flaking coatings by scraping or power washing.

Glossy existing coatings must be dulled by sanding before applying Sure Step.

New Asphalt

Allow newly installed asphalt to cure for approximately 45–60 days before coating.

The surface must be free from dirt, loose gravel, oil, grease and other contaminants.

Sure Step is self-priming on properly prepared bare asphalt.

Wood

Remove dirt, dust, mildew and loose wood fibres and allow the surface to dry thoroughly.

Bare wood requires an appropriate primer before application.

Metal

Metal must be clean, dry and free from oil, rust and mill scale.

Remove corrosion and properly prime exposed metal before applying Sure Step.

How to Apply INSL-X Sure Step

Stir Sure Step thoroughly before and during application to maintain an even distribution of the anti-slip aggregate.

Apply at approximately 80–120 sq. ft. per gallon.

Two coats are required for proper performance.

Sure Step can be applied using a roller, brush or squeegee.

Roller Application

Use a 1/2–3/4 inch roller cover on approximately a 9-inch roller frame.

Work in manageable sections and distribute the coating evenly using slow, smooth strokes.

Cross-roll the material to produce an even film thickness, followed by a consistent finishing stroke.

Brush Application

Brush application is best suited to smaller areas such as steps, edges and areas being cut in before coating larger surfaces with a roller or squeegee.

Squeegee Application

A 30-inch squeegee can provide a fast and efficient application method for larger areas.

Apply the second coat at approximately a 90-degree angle to the first coat to promote consistent coverage and texture.

Application Conditions

Apply when surface and ambient temperatures are between approximately:

10°C and 32.2°C (50°F–90°F)

Do not apply when rain or threatening weather is expected.

Avoid exterior application late in the day when condensation may form on the wet coating.

Do not apply when the surface temperature is within approximately 5°F of the dew point.

Technical Specifications

Available Colours

INSL-X Sure Step is available in a selection of ready-made colours and tint bases.

Colour options may include:

• White

• Knight Gray

• Welded Gray

• Tile Red

• Pine Green

• Desert Sand

• Saddle Brown

• Additional tint-base colours, Light Gray

Select from the currently available colour options above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is INSL-X Sure Step actually anti-slip?

Yes. Sure Step is formulated with a special aggregate that creates a textured, skid-resistant finish for interior and exterior walking surfaces.

Can INSL-X Sure Step be used on a pool deck?

Yes. Pool decks are one of the applications specifically recommended for Sure Step. The coating provides a textured, skid-resistant finish and resistance to ponding water.

Can Sure Step be used on concrete?

Yes. Sure Step can be applied to properly prepared concrete. It is self-priming on properly prepared bare concrete, although bare concrete must first be cleaned and properly etched.

Can INSL-X Sure Step be used on a garage floor?

No. Sure Step is designed for foot traffic and should not be used on garage floors, driveways or other surfaces exposed to vehicular traffic.

Does INSL-X Sure Step require a primer?

Sure Step is self-priming on properly prepared bare concrete, bare asphalt and previously coated surfaces in good condition. Bare wood and metal require an appropriate primer, and exposed metal on previously coated surfaces should be spot-primed as necessary.

How many coats of INSL-X Sure Step are required?

Two coats are required for proper performance.

How much area does one gallon of Sure Step cover?

One 3.79 L gallon covers approximately 80–120 square feet per coat. Actual coverage varies according to surface texture, porosity and application method.

How long does INSL-X Sure Step take to dry?

At approximately 25°C (77°F) and 50% relative humidity, Sure Step dries to the touch in approximately 1–2 hours and can be recoated after approximately 8 hours.

When can I walk on INSL-X Sure Step?

Allow approximately 24 hours after the final coat before exposing the surface to light foot traffic. Allow approximately 4–5 days before heavy or continuous foot traffic.

Can Sure Step be used outdoors?

Yes. Sure Step is designed for both interior and exterior walking surfaces. Do not apply outdoors when rain or threatening weather is expected.

Can INSL-X Sure Step be applied to asphalt?

Yes. Sure Step is self-priming on properly prepared bare asphalt. Newly installed asphalt should be allowed to cure for approximately 45–60 days before coating.

Can INSL-X Sure Step be applied with a roller?

Yes. A 1/2–3/4 inch roller cover is recommended. Sure Step can also be applied by brush or squeegee.

Is INSL-X Sure Step waterproof?

No. Benjamin Moore describes Sure Step as resistant to ponding water. It should not be described as a waterproofing membrane or waterproof coating.