Slippery Stainless Steel Banister

[midlandslandlord]

A personal one.

An elderly friend has just moved into a nice modern house, which unfortunately has a slippery satin finish stainless steel banister, which makes it difficult for him to support himself going upstairs.

I'm looking for an unobtrusive way to may it a little more grippy.

One way would be to use two or three dozen of those stick-on nipples which prevent cupboard doors beaging when they close, stuck to the rear side of the rail to give some grip to his fingers. It either needs a grippy material or a textured grip on the rear of the banister.

Does anyone happen to know of any good ways to do this.

Thanks

ML

[Mars Mug]

How about several lengths of handlebar tape, just an elongated spiral would do, maybe not the very sticky adhesive stuff though.

[jta]

Use the stuff that insulates water pipes, I think it's foam rubber.

[leaseholdanswers]

A tricky one...

- a Thora Hird stair master
- Batman's grappling gun
- knee pads and extra grip marigolds

or..............drum roll


A new wooden handrail - ta da
3.6 metres in Napoleon or 12 foot in real money, £50

[midlandslandlord]

The operative word is "unobtrusive" - ie better looking than Grand Designs.

My suggestion of velcro and a mitten, or rubber gloves stationed at top and bottom did not go down well.

ML

[Dottie]

How about a thin strip of a bicycle inner tube cut to length and glued underneath...?

[Darth Wookie]

Replacement handrail for duration of tenancy. It won't look 'altered' and no-one will be liable for velcro,innertube,rubber gloves etc falling off.
Alternatively, use less Pledge when cleaning.!

[leaseholdanswers]

If the handrail is screwed to the mounting then swapping them out is an option.

Frankly i wonder if it is actually that slippery. A polished new wood rail is no more or less slippy, and I suggest he wash the handrail with washing up liquid rinse and dry it and after all the polish and hand sweat etc is gone, its no more slippier that wood.

[MrJohnnyB]

Safety grip tape, maybe a pain to remove afterwards but doable.

[kachanski]

I agree with MrJohnnyB - Safety grip tape.
It's the cheapest & safest option.
Consider spiraling it around the handrail in a neat way - It it is stainless steel then it might be a pain to remove but it will with elbow grease and the right solvent. Don't glue anything on to the rail - It could easily become detached at a later date whilst the T is walking on the stairs resulting in injured T and a claim against you.