So how do you get a perfect sand texture? Here is how I do it.



Which paint do you use?

I use 2 component acrylic automotive paint designed for heavy machinery. It is advertiesed as super durable. You can also use epoxy or polyurethane based paints. There are soooo many paints out there. Find a good store and ask for advice. The advantage of 2 component paint is that it cures with itself and not with the air. So even thick layers will get hard.



I also tried 1k alkyd resin type paint. The problem with that is that first it needs to gas out over a day or so and then it reacts with oxygen in the air to harden the paint. This can take weeks! And multiple layers can block the oxygen from layers underneath. Its cheaper but can cause grief when it stays soft for weeks or months.



How do you prepare the paint?



Clean of all surface dust. You can use a primer, but there is no need to. Weigh both parts of the paint according to the data sheet. The rule for 2k resins is to mix until you think it´s enough. Then mix some more. Otherwise you could ruin it.



How do you paint it?

Use a brush or a roller to apply a coat of paint. Straight after that sprinkle fine silica sand over it. You can get it in any home improvement store. The grain should be 0.1-0.7mm in diameter. This will make a texture just like in your climbing gym. Resist the urge to touch the sprinkled sand. Just sprinkle and let it sit. It will look patchy at first but only the sand in contact with the paint will stick. You can brush of the rest once the paint is cured. If you start patching it up you will just ruin a good paint job. After the first layer has cured dust of the excess sand. Add some more layers of paint depending on the viscosity of the paint.



Enjoy! Your volume should look amazing by now!