Deck paint

[rblevens]

Hi folks- the more I work on this boat- the more I don't know...
I am working on the deck- filling nicks and dings- it has clearly defined non-skid patterns.
How do I paint this?
a- Do I masking tape off these "non-skid squares" and paint them separate with more non-skid paint or paint over what non-skid that is on there?

b- Do I paint everything with the same deck paint I am going to use on the rest of the deck?

Thanks in advance!
Rick and Cathy

 

[Steve Dion]

Take a look at Kiwi Grip for the non-skid. It is long lasting and easy to apply. You can mask off the areas exactly as they are now.

The Kiwi Grip comes with special rollers. You should practice on a small area (like anchor locker lid. You don't want to over-roll it otherwise it will not provide good grip.

You should paint the flat areas first and then do the non-skid areas.

 

[rblevens]

Take a look at Kiwi Grip for the non-skid. It is long lasting and easy to apply. You can mask off the areas exactly as they are now.

The Kiwi Grip comes with special rollers. You should practice on a small area (like anchor locker lid. You don't want to over-roll it otherwise it will not provide good grip.

You should paint the flat areas first and then do the non-skid areas.

Thanks Steve,
Is the Kiwi for all deck paint or just the non-skid part of the project?

 

[Ed Schenck]

Kiwi is non-skid only. But if you have "well-defined" do you mean a pattern like little blocks? Because that is not original. Someone bought the glue-on stuff which requires a different approach to restore.

 

[Ed Schenck]

If you just mean areas of non-skid then yes, just paint it with a brush. Rollers use too much paint and you end up having to brush it out anyway. Steve always recommends Kiwi and I like Interlux Interdeck.
Rick, notice the white stripe down the middle. I split the deck so I only had to paint half at a time. That way it was easy to keep a wet edge and get a consistent flow.
Also note that I have posted this same message at least ten times. Just saying, Search can save you lots of time. Just a suggestion, I really don't mind. Love seeing pictures of my boat.

 

[rblevens]

Thanks Ed don't think about the search feature but will try!

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

Professional nonskid-painting tips

Rick and Cathy--

I like the Interlux Interdeck which comes with the nonskid mixed-in; but the trick with this is to ensure that you keep mixing it while it lies in the pan. Otherwise the nonskid grit will settle and you'll be applying paint without it. One trick we do at Cherubini (though we use Awlgrip primarily) is for the painter to carry a grated-cheese shaker full of nonskid grit along with the roller and pan, adding a little bit by bit as well as sifting/shaking the mix frequently. This is just as apt when using the premixed Interdeck.

One of the long-held but little-advertised 'secret' industry standards regards the radii used in masking off the nonskid patches. You wonder where those curves come from? --there are three: the instant-orange-juice can, the baked-beans can, and the coffee can. Doubt me? Take these three cans with you and match them up to your nonskid. To mask for it, apply diagonal strips of tape over the corner, apply the can, and trim with a razor blade. Never mind the scratch of the blade into the fiberglass-- it will be filled with paint.

Of course-- and most especially on decks-- all painting is futile without proper preparation. Scour every bit of dirt away and use the appropriate solvents liberally, almost immediately before painting. And press all the edges of the tape down tightly (I use the roll of tape itself for this). You can always tell a hack by how his nonskid peels away from straight lines and the corners.

 

[DianaOfBurlington]

Ed--

That's a beautiful-looking paint job, man. :dance: