Black Squirrel Farms “Walnut Traction” Anti-Skid Paint Additive is composed of hard black walnut shell fragments that are both more angular and less dense than sand. These shell fragments mix easily into paint without clumping or sinking and the irregular fragment shapes provide extra grip to the painted surface. This product can be used with interior or exterior paint. Anti-skid paint is a great idea for decks, stairs, tree-houses or any other painted surface where making extra effort to prevent slips makes sense. Need more? Order it here and we will ship it or we offer free pick-up onsite.
To use: Complete all priming and undercoat painting layers required. Prior to applying the final coat of paint, add “Walnut Traction” Anti-Skid Paint Additive into the paint to be used for the top coat. For our standard level of grip (see picture), use one bag of Walnut Traction per gallon paint. Mix well then paint (brush or roll).
Product Q&As:
Not everyone uses walnut shells to create non-skid surfaces, what else is used? Crystalline silica is a common non-skid paint additive. Black walnut shells are significantly less dense than crystalline silica and so they stay suspended in the paint more easily than crystalline silica to deliver a more consistent final surface with less mixing required.
I want to create a specific texture, not an anti-skid surface, will black walnut shells work? We’ve been looking for people like you! The grit size which is standard for this product is not the only grit size available. A larger grit size added at a rate of 1.5 lbs/gallon paint could make a very convincing faux cement block texture. A smaller grit size could deliver an interesting wall texture. We haven’t tested the art possibilities. Please reach out to us. We are looking for people to test texturing ideas in exchange for pictures that we can share of the final texture produced.
I am allergic to tree nuts, do I need to be concerned about using this product? It is possible that our paint additive contains small amounts of walnut shell or kernel dust. We therefore recommend users with tree nut allergies wear a dust mask when handling the dry product, such as weighing it or dumping it into a bucket of paint. Once the shell fragments are coated in paint, there is no longer an allergy risk due to breathing possible airborne dust.
Should I sand the surface I want to paint? That’s up to you. Whatever you would do to prepare to paint a surface without an anti-skid additive is what you would do to prepare to paint that same surface with an anti-skid additive.
What paint can I use with this product? Any! It is the quality of the paint that will determine the quality of the surface. Black walnut shell fragments simply add texture.
What sorts of surfaces might benefit from a non-skid coating? Wooden decks, stairs or docks are all great candidates for a non-skid paint finish.
What about anti-skid surfaces on materials other than wood? Are you using gel coat to finish a fiberglass surface? Black walnut shell fragments are still an appropriate anti-skid additive although we recommend testing the shell / coating ratio desired on an expendable surface prior to proceeding to ensure the desired level of traction will be achieved, starting with less additive than needed and then continuing to add small amount.
Do you offer wholesale pricing? Please contact us with questions about either bulk product purchasing (>5 lbs and the product would not come in individual 8 oz. packages) or if you are interested in selling this product at your retail location.
Do you have another question about Walnut Traction? Contact us.
Black Squirrel Farms 