artificial climbing hold rejuvenation

i've got a number of plastic/resin gym holds that are pretty slick (as in non-grippy) and am wondering what people have 'successfully' tried to get back some sort of friction.

old5ten wrote:

i've got a number of plastic/resin gym holds that are pretty slick (as in non-grippy) and am wondering what people have 'successfully' tried to get back some sort of friction.

Post them for sale and use the funds to get new ones. Pretty much your only option to get actual texture back. I like old slick holds for my woody. All the benefit of plastic shapes with none of that pesky skin wrecking texture

Pressure wash the holds?

If it's not just a chalk/grime issue, you'll basically want to do what climbing hold manufacturers do to add texture to fiberglass/polyurethane volumes: epoxy and silica/fine sand.

MattH wrote:

If it's not just a chalk/grime issue, you'll basically want to do what climbing hold manufacturers do to add texture to fiberglass/polyurethane volumes: epoxy and silica/fine sand.

interesting!  maybe some prep work with cross notching, then a thin layer of epoxy/sand?  any personal experience with that?

I've only done it on wood, so IDK whether there will be binding issues on polyurethane/polyester resin. I'd suggest you join the DIY Climbing Holds facebook group and do some searching (or make a post asking for advice if you can't find an existing one).

Another wild idea that I've seen recommended: apply a layer of epoxy, then sprinkle salt on the surface. Once cured, wash in water to dissolve the salt and leave behind 'negative' texture in the epoxy.

I don't know if this would work, but has anyone tried tiny dimples or cuts made with a Dremel. I've seen steel textured with the thin cut off wheels.

Victor Creazzi wrote:

I don't know if this would work, but has anyone tried tiny dimples or cuts made with a Dremel. I've seen steel textured with the thin cut off wheels.

It works but minimally, I just embrace the smooth now

I like to take a very small Dremel/drill bit and make some grooves/holes.

I've had decent success with coating the holds with epoxy paint and sifting on play sand. You have to let the paint FULLY cure, then brush off the loose sand. Repeat this process 2-3x. It's ok, not great. Best option is admit defeat.

This is a possible solution to resurface holds.
https://youtu.be/9TW4BkhRIjw?si=mlPaEk9fq5jCovzg

Carving a new texture works fine, but it’s obvious.  A wood rasp drawn in a cross-hatch pattern will add texture very quickly.

Just embrace the smooth as a feature.