Hot product: Grip & Guard - Brief Article

Home Channel News, Nov 20, 2000

Rust-Oleum has introduced a rubberized coating for wood, metal and most plastic surfaces that provides extra gripping strength, safety and comfort in a variety of uses Rust-Oleum Grip & Guard gives a protective, anti-skid finish to tool handles, play equipment, steps and other products found in homes and offices.

"Everyone is talking about 'grip-ability' and ergonomics," said Terry Horan, vp-consumer marketing For Rust-Oleum.

The coating comes in six colors -- clear, red, yellow, white, black and blue. The colors, Horan said, were chosen to match the market's most popular tool colors.

Grip & Guard comes in a dip/brush-on form for smaller tools and spray for large or odd-size objects. Suggested retail prices are $4.95 for the 11-ounce spray and $6.95 for the 14.5-ounce dip/brush formula, Rust-Oleum said the product, which is rubber-based, has been designed to weather well.

"We're trying to drive category growth for the paint industry. We're developing new products to try and create more usage," Horan said. "You can use this with products you already have at home. It was designed to stay on; it doesn't crack."

Grip & Guard dries in 30 minutes and acts as a cushioning and weather roofing agent for various surfaces. Other applications include hand trucks and wheelbarrows, keys, rope ends, recreational equipment, shut-off and safety valves and step stools

Rust-Oleum also has introduced epoxy-added coatings for other protective uses, including its Road Warrior Truck Bed Coating, Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit and the Epoxy Shield basement and garage floor coating kit.