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We have a portion of very smooth and worn outdoor patio area concrete that, over 52 years, has become like a polished surface and now is extremely slippery in the rain/when wet, a hazard for my mother or anyone. 3M outdoor grip tape has had to be reapplied about every 6 months (type 2") for several years, and no matter how it is mounted (cleaned surfaced, with or without added adhesive by 3M designed for this and according to directions, or E6000 also tried, prepped/cleaned, and weight placed atop while drying), it inevitably begins to peel up and become a trip hazard. The area sees daily sun exposure and moisture from the elements, as well as run-off from sprinklers twice a week.

At this point, after going through this process of carefully applying strips multiple times, we seek experienced advice from knowledgeable others. Here's the area below. An appealing look. We'd like to maintain this spaced strip appearance, which has a visually pleasing rhythm even if pursuing other alternatives (like grip paint or etching), over roughing up the entire area.

I haven't experience with non-slip paint, whether in a spray or brushed on. Perhaps someone here does. The brushed on variants comes in very expensive ($75-200) cans, branded Skid Grip, Tuff Grip, Dura Grip, etc. Anyone have experience with these? Does my surface look suitable for it?

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Typothalamus
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Went with a concrete etch solution applied first on test patch and then over the entire area. This effectively cut surface slickness on the decades old smoothened patio. Reapplied new grip strips to this surface, using 3M's recommended spray adhesive on concrete side. Once dry, a bead of 3M's edging compound was applied around strip edges, slightly overlapping strip to concrete, as per instructions.

Typothalamus
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Most things based on tape will eventually peel away. What you need is something truly bonded to the surface. Obviously the ultimate is a new layer of concrete with a rougher surface, but that is very expensive.

There are a variety of non-slip coatings designed to be painted on to concrete. They vary quite a bit in price and, likely, in durability and actual slip resistance, but that's what I would look for. There are companies (or so sayeth Google) that specialize in doing this type of work, but you can definitely get DIY cans of "non-slip paint" designed for this purpose and do it yourself.

As a comment noted, you can also grind down the existing surface to make it not as smooth. If the concrete is in good shape - i.e., where grinding won't make it start coming apart - then that may be a good solution as well, and probably longer lasting than most add-ons such as paint (and definitely longer lasting than tape).

manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact
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Ever play miniature golf?

"Putting green" artificial turf is available. It's installed with an adhesive. People tromp on it all day long, and it laughs at sun, rain and snow and lasts for years. It's about as non-slip as you can get.

If safety is more important than snide comments about your choice of walking surfaces, it's a good choice.

MTA
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