I've been working on the Trumpeter LAV-25 for the Trumpeter Campaign and I wanted to add a non-slip surface to the upper hull and turret. I didn't want to send Mr. Surfacer 500 through my airbrush so I was looking for a different technique. I stumbled across this post from 2005 and figured I'd give it a try.

Adding Anti-Slip Texture

I wasn't able to find the exact same spray paint but I did find this at Home Depot:



It is a textured spray paint the comes in several colors and sprays a sandy, textured surface.

After testing on an old turret I masked off my hull and turret and went to it.



The paint comes out heavy so you have to build it up with light passes:


The paint dried quickly and everything came out great. I am real happy with the results. I think the scale effect is pretty good.






I hope this was helpful.

Yup, the technique still works great. I still use it all the time.

The original poster was a genius.

Thanks for the help!

Looks good, thanks for the tip

Don't hurt your elbow...

Only a joke. I was more surprised that the thread surfaced again after all these years. I am also glad that it was helpful to someone else on their build.

RGR... Just trying to keep you honest since you work where you do... Wink wink

JC

Maybe I am just a whole lot lazier than you guys but all that masking keeps me from doing this. The acrylic metallic texture paint is the way for me. No masking, no mess and you can vary the texture from fine to coarse and it cleans up with water if you make mistakes.

The masking was a pain. What's your technique?

Looks like a great method.I remember the days when zimmerit was a challenge, now that is moulded in on some kits so there is hope that one will not have to do the extra work for anti-slip. I can dream. Though hobbyboss did it on their Merks

Mike
Home Depot has a textured metallic acrylic paint that they sell under the Martha Stewart brand that works great. Just use an old stiff bristle brush to apply and I use a wet q-tip to wipe away any rough edges. Check out my application here
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/206792#1735227

Damon - That's a great build. I like your technique for the non-slip. Did you do it free hand?

Yes all free hand. Too lazy to mask things off. The water clean up make it super easy.

Damon - I like your technique and it must be a whole lot easier than taping everything off. It looks too heavy for an Abrams or other US non-slip coating. US coating tends to be more smooth and less rough. To me, the spray method represents it best.

I think it would be great for IDF non-slip though. Theirs is really rough.

Abrams non-slip.


Merkava non-slip.


Just my opinion, take it or leave it.

Gino, it looks to be finer than what I did on my abrams, but I remember ours being much more rough than your picture, but I could be wrong. Either way the texture paint can be scaled down to a finer texture, like I did on my Leo 2



If you wipe the excess off after you apply you can get it pretty fine without too much hassle. I still
Ike your method and have at least one rattle can waiting to be used, but the idea of spending all that time masking just kills my motivation. Cheers.

I was given the recommendation to use the Terracotta spray. I could not find it at the local Home Depot, Lowe's or other craft paint sources. It is available from Home Depot through their website. I ordered two cans and have applied one coat (so far) to a Tamiya Challenger kit. I will post some in progress pictures tonight. I used the masking method.

I take 100Grit sandpaper, cut it to the size of the surface I need or to fit and glue it to the non-slip turret or to a no-walk airplane wings surface and then just paint like you would do without it.

You can change the grit number to something you prefer.

"For me", this system works.

Here are some shots of the paint in the can and first coat applied.

Here is the product I am using.

Here is the turret with one coat of textured paint on it.

And the hull top with one coat.

Test piece with two coats with no dry time in between applications.

Close up of turret.

Close up of hull top.
Pictures uploaded only with the assistance of my sweet and patient 21 year old daughter. Who says all of that time she spends in front of her computer is wasted?

Here are some shots with a second coat of paint. I'm pretty satisfied with the results if not the color.

Turret storage bin lid.

Turret hatch.

Hull top.

Hull front which gives a good view of the textured surface.
Turret top.

I am not connected to them, just a simple customer and member here.

Guys, you really really need to take a look at www.true-earth.com Rough Casting & Antiskid Plates. It applies with a brush you clean your brush with water and it's so simple it's unbelievable.

Look at these:

I tried to get my hands on some of the Rustoleum (or equivalent) to add the non-slip to a Stryker build that I am working on for the Trumpeter Campaign. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any of it here in Oz, so instead I used some of the Tamiya Diorama Texture Paint - Grit Effect. I don't have any photos of it to share at the moment, but it works OK and produces some acceptable results.