1) What is InvisaTread^®?

InvisaTread^® is a water based chemical designed to increase the coefficient of friction (COF) of hard mineral surfaces. InvisaTread® falls under the category of an acid etching system. Our chemistry employs the use of Glycolic Acid as its primary ingredient.

 

2) How does InvisaTread^® work?

InvisaTread® microscopically etches the surface to approximately 1/20,000th of an inch. This measurement is not recognizable to the naked eye and would need to be magnified to at least 100x – 500x in order to be visible. Most surfaces  traction can be felt. The surface will not feel rough after treatment.treated with InvisaTread® will look and feel exactly the same before and after treatment. When the surface gets wet is when

 

3) Is InvisaTread^® safe to use?

YES. InvisaTread is a weak acid solution. Glycolic acid is commonly found in women’s facial products. That being said, it is always prudent to treat specialty chemicals with respect. We recommend using rubber gloves and splash goggles when spraying.

 

4) Is InvisaTread^® a coating?

NO. Invisatread^® is neither a wax nor a coating. InvisaTread^® is a water based treatment that treats the underlying surface, increasing the coefficient of friction. Coatings such as epoxy or paint lay on top of the surface. InvisaTread^® is a micro etching process that increases COF without changing the look or feel of most surfaces.

 

5) Will the COF be raised for both wet and dry surfaces?

YES. Coefficient of friction (COF) is the measurement of frictional force required to move an object from a stand still and begin motion (Static COF or SCOF) or the frictional force of an object in motion (Dynamic COF or DCOF). Our acid etching system will raise both of these numbers. That being said, a slip is generally not a problem on dry surfaces.

 

6) How easy is it to apply InvisaTread^®?

Application is typically a 4 step process.

• Clean the surface thoroughly with Traction Wash
• Liberally apply InvisaTread® to the surface with either a sprayer or sponge mop
• Allow to dwell for a period of time – usually  8 – 15min.
• Rinse the surface thoroughly and remove all residue and rinse water.
  

See our application instructions page for more detail.

 

7) Do the ingredients need to be mixed before applying
(i.e., “Shake Well Before Using”?).

InvisaTread® comes premixed and is ready to use. Do not dilute InvisaTread®.

 

8) How should the surface be maintained after applying InvisaTread^®?

It is important to maintain a clean surface regardless of our treatment in order to have maximum COF. We recommend that using Traction Wash as a daily cleaner/degreaser with a 1:32 dilution. Should you choose to maintain the surface with any other cleaner, it must be one that does not leave any residue. Soapy residue can reduce or remove the enhanced tread created by InvisaTread®.

 

9) How long does InvisaTread^® last?

InvisaTread^® is designed in part to help prevent slips and falls accidents and the injuries which may result there from. InvisaTread^® helps to reduce the risk of accident by measurably increasing the Coefficient of Friction (COF) of the treated surface. Anti-Slip Solutions, LLC, warrants that surfaces properly applied / treated with InvisaTread will maintain the increased COF for a period of three (3) years after treatment.

 

However, this limited warranty does not extend to surfaces which, after application of InvisaTread^®, have been waxed, or sealed over; or to surfaces which have not been maintained by routine cleaning and proper floor maintenance.

 

10) Should you use Traction Wash before applying InvisaTread^®?

 

YES. Prior to application, a surface needs to be completely cleaned and degreased. InvisaTread^® can act as a cleaner but; if the surface isn’t well cleaned prior to application it might clean the dirty spots and treat the clean spots. This would leave behind a surface that is not consistently treated. Always start with a clean surface.

 

11) Who would use InvisaTread^®?

The list could be endless, but we will look at this from big picture perspective.

-Commercial Kitchens – Restaurants – Warehouses – Hospitals – Assisted Living Facilities – Swimming Pools – Locker Rooms – Showers – Bathtubs – Bathrooms – Entryways – Outside Walkways – Sports Facilities – Entrance Ramps – and much more.

 

12) What surfaces and areas is InvisaTread^® most effective on?

InvisaTread is formulated to work on most hard mineral surfaces including but not limited to.

• Porcelain

• Ceramic

• Concrete

• Honed Stone

• Travertine

• Limestone

• Pavers

• Brick

• Some Acrylic

• Granite

• Slate

• Bathrooms

• Showers

• Bathtubs

• Pool Decks

• Entryways

• Walkways

• Kitchens

• And more

 

**InvisaTread is not recommended for Polished Marble or other Polished Calcium Stone. InvisaTread will hone, remove or reduce the shine.

 

13) If the floor is sealed, can InvisaTread® still be applied?

 

YES. Typically it will take 2 applications. We recommend stripping any sealers off prior to application. The first application should assist in removing any sealers.

 

14) Can I seal my stone after application?

 

YES. Water based, impregnating or penetrating sealers should be used. Any sealer that leaves a residue or coats the surface will reduce or remove the increased COF created by InvisaTread®.

 

15) Should InvisaTread® be applied before sealing?

YES. Applying first will create a new microscopic 3D landscape on the surface. This new surface profile is what creates the higher levels of traction. Sealing the surface with an impregnating sealer which goes under the pores will not fill in this new micro tread.

 

16) Does InvisaTread^® work with Epoxy coatings?

Unfortunately the answer is MAYBE. Not all epoxy coatings nor all film forming coatings are the same. We work on some but not all. It usually depends on the types of hardeners and the % of solids in the epoxy. The higher the % of solids the lower the chance we have of working on it. Additionally, should an epoxy coating have “age” to it and be worn down; there is a higher probably that InvisaTread can be effective on it. Like most products, always test a small hidden area or extra tile first.

 

17) How effective is Traction Wash™ on grease?

Traction Wash™ is hands down the finest floor care product you will ever use.

Safe for use on:

• Plastics
• Metals
• Decals
• Unpainted Surfaces
• Painted Surfaces
• Rubber
• Hard Mineral Surfaces
• Wood
• Carpet

- Non-Corrosive to Metal

- Non-Flammable

 

18) How effective is InvisaTread® on VCT?

InvisaTread will not be highly effective on VCT. Surfaces treated with InvisaTread can not be waxed after treatment

 

19) Can you wax over InvisaTread®?

NO. It is important not to use any surface coatings on top of InvisaTread. They will fill in the tread and reduce or remove the increased COF.

 

20) What can remove or reduce the increased COF (Coefficient of Friction) created by applying InvisaTread^®?

Only two scenarios can remove or reduce the increased COF created by applying InvisaTread®:

• Wear of the surface from extremely heavy walking traffic or that from heavy equipment. InvisaTread etches to about 1/20,000 of an inch. As the surface degrades over time, this would reduce the increased traction and require a reapplication.

• Inherent to maintaining any measure of COF, boils down to care and maintenance. As the surface builds up with foreign contaminants the COF will be reduced. Traction is restored after being properly cleaned. Typically cleaning would only require a cleaner/degreaser such as our Traction Wash™ at a 1:10 or 1:32 dilution. In a commercial kitchen environment, degreasers should be allowed to dwell on the surface to break up an embedded grease. An occasional deep clean with equipment might be needed to fully restore the enhanced tread.

 

21) What effect will InvisaTread^® have on grout?

InvisaTread is an acidic product which can clean grout. In order to get a deep clean on grout, we would recommend diluting InvisaTread. Mix 1 part InvisaTread with 1 part Water. Apply to the surface with a nylon brush. Surfaces will need to be thoroughly rinsed after application.

 

22) Does InvisaTread^® work on bathtubs?

YES. InvisaTread is highly effective on porcelain or enamel tubs. It has also been highly effective on some acrylic inserts. InvisaTread is not recommended on fiberglass as the acid can hurt the gel coat. Rule of thumb, if the tub has bumps on the bottom, InvisaTread won’t work. InvisaTread is a highly effective, lower cost and lower long term maintenance cost than using a rubber bathmat insert.

 

23) Does InvisaTread^® work on wood?

NO. InvisaTread® is an acid etching system and designed to work on hard mineral surfaces. Wood does not contain the required chemistry to create an enhanced tread. Most coatings such as urethane and polyurethane that go on wood are completely acid resistant.

 

24) Does InvisaTread^® meet ADA guidelines?

Most surfaces treated with InvisaTread will have a Coefficient of Friction (COF) of > .60 WET after treatment. Our COF results have been verified with both ASTM 1028C and ANSI B101*

 

* At this point in time, neither OSHA nor the ADA has any guideline for Coefficient of Friction. Historically, they have referenced a COF measurement of .50 for OSHA and .60 for ADA. That being said, neither of these are a recognized guideline nor standard for measurement. The ONLY outlier in this is California. California is the first state to adopt a measurement of .60. The missing piece of this puzzle is by what means should this measurement be taken. Is it Dry or Wet? What testing equipment should be used? The answer is unclear. At present, there is no standard testing method (wet or dry) or testing equipment that needs to be used nor recognized to establish this measurement.

 

ANSI Standard B101 – Currently being balloted and not yet adopted.

 

ANSI B101 is currently being designed as the first ever uniform test method. This method is being designed to use the BOT-3000 tribometer which is functional in both laboratory and field testing. The BOT can be used to test both SCOF (Static Coefficient of Friction) or DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction). Defines SCOF ranges for adequate “Traction Levels”

– High Traction (0.6+)

– Moderate Traction (0.40 – 0.60)

– Low Traction (<0.40)

• B101.0: Technical review of science behind surface friction measurement. Testing methods, testing devices and contributing factors in the measurement of slip resistance of surfaces

• B101.2: To prevent and/or mitigate the effects of injuries and fatalities from slips, trips and falls

• B101.3: To judge the relative impact of a chemical or surface treatment with regards to Wet DCOF of the treated surface.

• B101.4: To quantitatively and meaningfully assess the slip resistance of areas of known slip risk. Areas in constant contact with water and bare feet referenced

• B101.5: Provides guidance to users/purchasers on the traction capabilities the substrate through the display of labeling, product marking

• B101.6: Criteria for selection, proper installation, inspection and maintenance of floor mats, runners and rugs in relation to the prevention of slips, trips and falls.

 

National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI)

NFSI is currently developing and balloting for Walkway Auditing Guidelines (WAG) which will utilize ANSI B101-A and 101-B standards. This will define the “rules of the road” for slip resistance measurement. It also defines procedures for evaluating slip resistance performance.

NFSI 101-B is balloted as a Wet SCOF method for Floor Cleaning Agents and Treatments.

Wet (Neolite) SCOF method

Products whose wet SCOF increases by greater than 20% above baseline are rated as “high-traction”

 

25) Is InvisaTread^® FDA approved?

InvisaTread® does not need to be FDA approved because it treats the surface and rinses away without any residue. Grouts and Tile too are not FDA approved either.

 

26) What are the storage conditions of the anti-slip solution, if any?

InvisaTread is not flammable but is water based and can freeze. It has passed the ASTM freeze / thaw test and will not be damaged from freezing. We would recommend using any remaining product within 6 months of breaking the foil seal. InvisaTread unopened has a 3 year shelf life.

 

27) Can I apply InvisaTread^® Outdoors in direct sunlight?

YES. It is important to not let the application dry out during the dwell time process. The treated area needs to stay wet with product for the entire dwell time period. Should the area dry out, simply add more product.

 

28) What if it is windy during application?

YES. It is important to not let the application dry out during the dwell time process. The treated area needs to stay wet with product for the entire dwell time period. Should the area dry out, simply add more product.

 

29) Do areas treated with InvisaTread^® Outdoors require any special cleaning or cleaning products?

Any area treated with InvisaTread needs to be cleaned and maintained in order to have the enhanced COF. We recommend our Traction Wash which does not leave any residue.

 

30) Can InvisaTread® Outdoors be applied inside of the pool?

YES. If you are building a new pool, InvisaTread can be applied to the surface prior to the water being added. Increased COF on the surface should last for many years