So, I love the weight, feel, and look of the mousepad type playmats, like the official FFG playmats, but like almost everyone, I hate the slippery, imprecise feel. It's better than vinyl, but still very loose and sloppy, letting ships get easily bumped and nudged without trying, making precise play a challenge. To fix that, I went looking for a way to improve the grip of the fabric without altering the look and without having to adjust all the bases. After researching and testing a few alternatives, I finally found the best solution:

This is Performix Super Grip Home. It's an aerosol spray rubber designed primarily to provide non-skid texture to the underside of carpets laying on floors. In other words, specifically designed to prevent slipperiness on fabric.

The spray can be bought in various places (check google for dealers near you) for anywhere from $8 and up. You won't need a lot of the spray to treat a single playmat, so you could split the cost with some friends to treat multiple playmats. Note, it will degrade a bit with use over time (though this isn't high traffic usage like a carpet, so it will last quite awhile), so whatever remains will be your insurance policy over time.

Use is simple. Lay the mat down in a ventilated area, face up, and spray from about 12-18 inches above in slow, sweeping strokes. You aren't trying to saturate the surface, just sweep it a few times to mist the surface. Trust me, this stuff doesn't need a lot to work and if after first treatment you want a hair more, you can reapply. Continue a few sweeps to cover the surface of the mat, then allow to dry at least 8 hours. This is important! Don't rush it! Let it sit undisturbed.

What you will find after it dries is that the surface is now dusted with a clear, rubberized coating that is NOT TACKY, but provides a rubbery grip like the reverse side of the mousepad or a yoga mat. There is no slippage anymore; ship bases and templates hold firm, allowing for precise movement. I jiggled the mat and table with ships on the mat: they don't move or skid like they used to.

As far as I can tell, there is no discoloration, to cracking or chipping, just a nice, rubberized and grippy surface. It can roll up and travel as normal, though I would recommend storing flat when possible. Also, I will reiterate: let it dry completely before trying to move it.

Anyway, I'm extremely pleased with the outcome. I now have a mat with all the color and imagery I want, but with a super-grippy surface. It's the perfect mat for me and even tournament legal (at least until FFG changes their mind about that mat ruling).

Just wanted to pass this along.... Enjoy!

Edit: one update just to reinforce that you only want a light layer. I went heavy on some test fabric and you can get some rubber "pilling" if you go too thick as the rubber doesn't stick to itself. Keep it light and it'll do ya right. You just need a little traction to help the action. Now, I need to go work on my decloak timing, as apparently I can't stop rhyming.

Lol or flip it upside down and it becomes the best surface ever.

Lol or flip it upside down and it becomes the best surface ever.

If you're going to do that, buy the yoga mat and save $25. If you want a starfield or Death Star, here's your alternative.

I've been playing on one of these mats since basically origins last year. I still don't know how this is even a problem. :/

Particularly since we use the mats in other games and without the silk surface you have a hard time using sleeved cards on the surface. These are great mats for Imperial Assault, Catan, any Card game or board game really. Saw some guys at the game store the other day use six together to play 40K with assault marines attacking a tau Manta ship and orca escort. Was pretty sick.

would this work if sprayed on the underside of the fighter bases?

Lol or flip it upside down and it becomes the best surface ever.

If you're going to do that, buy the yoga mat and save $25. If you want a starfield or Death Star, here's your alternative.

Yoga mats are not tourney legal. However, there is nothing that says you need to use the FFG mats face-up in a tournament!

I do find it a bit ridiculous that we need to find ways to make the FFG mats closer to 'other' mats using 3rd party products.

Much easier to just stick those little vinyl "cabinet bumpers" (that any local hardware store stocks) to the bottom of the bases.

Then they get 'grippy' on pretty much any surface.

would this work if sprayed on the underside of the fighter bases?

Yes. They also make a similar spray that is specifically for non-fabric surfaces.

Much easier to just stick those little vinyl "cabinet bumpers" (that any local hardware store stocks) to the bottom of the bases.

Then they get 'grippy' on pretty much any surface.

I considered that, but rather than make everyone I know treat their bases, I treated the mat. Took less than 2 minutes.

Lol or flip it upside down and it becomes the best surface ever.

If you're going to do that, buy the yoga mat and save $25. If you want a starfield or Death Star, here's your alternative.

Yoga mats are not tourney legal. However, there is nothing that says you need to use the FFG mats face-up in a tournament!

I do find it a bit ridiculous that we need to find ways to make the FFG mats closer to 'other' mats using 3rd party products.

I don't expect the tourney ban to last. Regardless, I agree that it is silly the official mats need help at all. I simply prefer the look of this rather than a yoga mat or flipping it over (which transfers the slipperiness to the table and the entire mat can slide now).

Much easier to just stick those little vinyl "cabinet bumpers" (that any local hardware store stocks) to the bottom of the bases.

Then they get 'grippy' on pretty much any surface.

I considered that, but rather than make everyone I know treat their bases, I treated the mat. Took less than 2 minutes.

Is that a BattleTech; Battlespace map? I have not seen one of those in years.

I Know I'm about to necro a long dead topic, but it feels right to know about it after some time.
So how did this playmat held and performd during this time? It is almost to years.

I've been using the little bumpers that I learned about in this thread. They have been really awesome. I like them quite a bit. I only don't like them on epic ships as you tend to want to slide them more than other ships.

I'm planning to build a table with a layer of magnetic foil on top. It's availabkle in black and if you magnetize your ships bases, that should solve any kind of slipping altogether.

I'm planning to build a table with a layer of magnetic foil on top. It's availabkle in black and if you magnetize your ships bases, that should solve any kind of slipping altogether.

Which is great....except it only works on your mat. There have been magnetic game mats out there, as well. If you only play at home, then no issues. If you do play around....well....

I'm planning to build a table with a layer of magnetic foil on top. It's availabkle in black and if you magnetize your ships bases, that should solve any kind of slipping altogether.

Which is great....except it only works on your mat. There have been magnetic game mats out there, as well. If you only play at home, then no issues. If you do play around....well....

Fair enough. I was just wondering why this hasn't become the standard yet.

I'm planning to build a table with a layer of magnetic foil on top. It's availabkle in black and if you magnetize your ships bases, that should solve any kind of slipping altogether.

Which is great....except it only works on your mat. There have been magnetic game mats out there, as well. If you only play at home, then no issues. If you do play around....well....

Fair enough. I was just wondering why this hasn't become the standard yet.

To be honest, I have no idea. I've seen a few people pick it up from me and a number that like it. I hate to use ships without them as I just bounce them all over the place. I'm terrible.

And here I am weighting my ships down with washers. Guess i need to get some bumpers.

And here I am weighting my ships down with washers. Guess i need to get some bumpers.

I've done washers, but it makes it harder to pick the ships up to move them. I regret gluing all those washers down. I'm used to WWII minis for the washers.

And here I am weighting my ships down with washers. Guess i need to get some bumpers.

I do the same but I add acrylic caulking to the bases as well. You get the weight and a slip resistant base to boot.