is this non-skid part of the fiberglass?

Sep 22, 2019
118
Chrysler 26 Pymatuning Lake
in the pictures below you will notice the non-skid surface. it looks like it is part of the fiberglass and not a paint. the paint is coming off the "waffles" of the non-skid. do i need to sand down the waffle part to get to smooth fiberglass? then do I go throigh the smoothing process and primer, then paint normal marine paint on the whole deck and then paint on non-skid paint?
 

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Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
That's molded in nonskid that had been painted. Which you can see is not a good idea as the rough surface is difficult to properly prep and the paint won't hold on long. Paint also makes it slippery. It's already peeling off and if you repaint it the old and new will continue to peel. you can try to removed the paint, a wire brush robbed with the grain of the waffles pattern might work, at least it will get the loose stuff off. A chemical stripper might also work, but you need to be real careful as it may soften the gelcoat as well as the paint. I had the same problem on my old Columbia, I ground it all smooth and recoated with textured paint. There are lots of options there.
 
Oct 6, 2018
113
Watkins 25 Seawolf Dunnellon / Crystal River
The texture is part of the gelcoat. You need to sand off all the old paint and texture. If you don't, you won't be able to properly sand and remove any contaminants from the surface.

The proper steps are:
1. Sand. Get down to a smooth surface.
2. Repair. Fix holes or cracks.
3. Fair the surface till it is level and smoother.
4. Prime the surface with a good epoxy primer.
5. Paint.