The spray resin guide
Spray resin: what it is and how it works
A flexible, anti slip coating sprayed straight over existing concrete, for driveways, paths, patios, pool surrounds and commercial spaces.
What is spray resin?
Spray resin is Shieldcoat’s Step Safe Heavy Duty system, and the name we gave it. It’s a premixed acrylic resin with anti mould additives, sprayed through a hopper gun over a primer and finished with a clear sealer.
What sets it apart is that it’s flexible. Concrete moves with heat and with the ground under it, and rigid coatings crack when it does. Spray resin moves with the slab instead. The sprayed texture gives it a P5 anti slip rating, the top rating, it’s fade proof, and it can be tinted to almost any colour with fleck over the base.
Compared
Spray resin vs epoxy vs spray crete vs sealer
Four ways to finish concrete, and where each one belongs.
Swipe sideways to compare all four
| Spray resinShieldcoat range | Epoxy | Spray crete | SealerShieldcoat range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Step Safe Heavy Duty, a flexible acrylic resin sprayed on with fleck | A two part resin mixed on site that cures hard and glossy | A thin, polymer modified cement overlay mixed on site | Concreshield, a coloured sealer rolled straight onto the slab |
| Where it goes | Driveways, paths, patios, pool surrounds and commercial spaces | Garages, workshops and internal floors, where it's an amazing product | The same surfaces as spray resin | The same surfaces as spray resin |
| Outside | Moves with the slab instead of cracking, fade proof, mould resistant and grippy when wet | Needs a UV stable polyaspartic topcoat put on properly or it yellows, and the dry times are hard to work with outdoors | Cracks and discolours over time | Colours and protects the concrete. Add the Anti-Slip additive for a P4 rating |
| For the client | Low upkeep: a fresh clear coat about every 6 years | A premium price, and it can't go on every surface spray resin can | The sealer needs touching up often | The budget option, and a valid one when cost is the concern |
Where it goes
Where does spray resin go?
On concrete that's at least 28 days old. Two hard nos: brick pavers sitting on sand, and outdoor tiles.
Driveways
The hardest working slab on the block, with cars, sun and rain on it every day.
Pool surrounds
Bare feet and wet concrete, where the grip matters most.
Patios and outdoor areas
A new colour and finish on the concrete that is already there.
Footpaths and walkways
Paths, side passages and the walkways between them.
Commercial spaces
Entries, walkways and outdoor areas on commercial sites.
Garages
Spray resin can go in a garage, but inside we recommend epoxy.
Four layers, one finish
How is a spray resin floor laid?
Prep the slab
Pressure cleaned, or ground back where the surface needs it. Cracks filled, and the slab under 6% moisture.
Slab RepairPrimer
Primer X soaks into the slab and gives the system something to grip. Over water based coatings or fibre cement, it's Step Safe WB Primer.
Primer XWB PrimerStep Safe Heavy Duty
Two base coats sprayed with a hopper gun, then two fleck coats over the top for the textured finish.
Step Safe Heavy DutyClear sealer
Concreshield Clear Low Sheen in two thin coats, always on a later day, never the same day.
Concreshield Clear Low Sheen
How long it lasts
How long does spray resin last?
Shieldcoat's figures for a floor laid to the system, on a slab that was prepped and cured properly.
- 20 to 25Years, the life of the floor
- 7 yearManufacturer's warranty
- Every 6Years, a fresh clear coat
- P5Anti slip rating, the top rating
Guides
Spray resin guides
Spray resin vs epoxy vs spray crete
Spray resin vs epoxy vs spray crete: what each one is, where it belongs and how it holds up outside. A straight comparison from someone who's laid them.
How long it lasts
A spray resin floor lasts 20 to 25 years, with a 7 year manufacturer's warranty against cracking, flaking and peeling and a touch up every 6 years.
Slip rating
Spray resin (Shieldcoat Step Safe Heavy Duty) has a P5 slip rating, the top anti slip rating, so it stays grippy on wet driveways and pool surrounds.
Driveways
Spray resin driveways: a flexible, P5 anti slip coating sprayed over your existing concrete. Fade proof, 20 to 25 years, cars back on after 7 to 10 days.
Pool surrounds
Spray resin pool surrounds: a P5 anti slip, fade proof coating over your existing concrete and coping. How the pool is prepped and masked for it.
Patios and outdoor areas
Spray resin patios and alfresco areas: a flexible, P5 anti slip coating over existing concrete, tinted to almost any colour with fleck coats on top.
Your next step
Lay it, or get it laid?
- Contractors
Want to lay it?
The two day workshop: day one on the tools, day two on pricing, quoting and winning the work.
- Homeowners
Want it on your driveway?
Call us and we'll point you to an installer trained on the system, or come and see the finish at our Wetherill Park warehouse.