It looks like my purchase of a Hunter 25 is going through so I am looking ahead to some projects I want to jump on when I get my hands on the boat. First and foremost, I want to paint the cockpit floor, seats and deck areas with non-skid paint. I've searched the archives on the subject and have come across a wealth of information and recommendations on paint choices but would like some advice on application. Is it best to roll or brush? Does standard blue masking tape work OK for masking off areas? What prep should be done to previously painted surfaces before application? Etc. Thanks in advance. Tony Kriz
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Blue is good.
Put on the tape, firmly after lots of cleaning and sanding. Use a sharp blade to round the corners. Let the final product really dry before walking on it. I used Interlux Toplac with the Interlux non-skid. Rolled then tipped with a brush. This is a linear polyurethane paint so brush the whole thing in the same direction. Otherwise the sun will show streaks. "Been there, done that" as they say.
Put on the tape, firmly after lots of cleaning and sanding. Use a sharp blade to round the corners. Let the final product really dry before walking on it. I used Interlux Toplac with the Interlux non-skid. Rolled then tipped with a brush. This is a linear polyurethane paint so brush the whole thing in the same direction. Otherwise the sun will show streaks. "Been there, done that" as they say.
Tipped With Brush?
Ed: Thanks for the info. What exactly do you mean by "tipped with brush"? I'm not a painter by trade so I need a little hand holding. What cleaner and grit of sand paper did you use? Thanks. Tony
Ed: Thanks for the info. What exactly do you mean by "tipped with brush"? I'm not a painter by trade so I need a little hand holding. What cleaner and grit of sand paper did you use? Thanks. Tony
Interlux Topsides
Hi, I did my non-skid a few years ago. Used topside Urethane with Interlux non-skid additive (grey)...worked well, although I did it in 90+ degree weather so had a lot of blisters. best to work in about 70 degree weather....for what it's worth
Hi, I did my non-skid a few years ago. Used topside Urethane with Interlux non-skid additive (grey)...worked well, although I did it in 90+ degree weather so had a lot of blisters. best to work in about 70 degree weather....for what it's worth
You do know about rollable gel coat don't you?
Tony: You do know about paintable/rollable gel coat don't you. This is what was originally on the boat. It can be rolled on with a special roller and should like as good or better than the original. The major difference is that you do NOT need to add sand. You just use a special roller and add some thickener to the gel coat the makes the non-skid finish. The stuff costs about $45/gal and comes with color, catalyst and thickner. The curing wax can be included in the gelcoat if desired.
Tony: You do know about paintable/rollable gel coat don't you. This is what was originally on the boat. It can be rolled on with a special roller and should like as good or better than the original. The major difference is that you do NOT need to add sand. You just use a special roller and add some thickener to the gel coat the makes the non-skid finish. The stuff costs about $45/gal and comes with color, catalyst and thickner. The curing wax can be included in the gelcoat if desired.
Here's The Story
I'm not really sure what's best at this point. The current or previous owner has painted the cockpit floor, seats and assorted deck surfaces with colored paint (green). It's not a problem other than the fact I'm not crazy about the green color. I figured since I wanted to cover up the green paint I might as well add some non skid for slip protection. Here's a picture of the situation, maybe it will help. Thanks, Tony
I'm not really sure what's best at this point. The current or previous owner has painted the cockpit floor, seats and assorted deck surfaces with colored paint (green). It's not a problem other than the fact I'm not crazy about the green color. I figured since I wanted to cover up the green paint I might as well add some non skid for slip protection. Here's a picture of the situation, maybe it will help. Thanks, Tony
Attachments
Good prep is key.
Tony: That color looks blue in the pictures but regardless, is a little dark for my taste too. Do you know if any of the other gel coat has been painted? Do you know what type of paint that they used? If only the non-skid was painted you may be able to use something like the Island Girl pink to strip off most of the paint and non-skid. Do not use a paint remover if any of the rest of the boat is painted. If you decide to use gelcoat, you should use some de-waxer on the area to be gelcoated regardless of any other surface prep.
Tony: That color looks blue in the pictures but regardless, is a little dark for my taste too. Do you know if any of the other gel coat has been painted? Do you know what type of paint that they used? If only the non-skid was painted you may be able to use something like the Island Girl pink to strip off most of the paint and non-skid. Do not use a paint remover if any of the rest of the boat is painted. If you decide to use gelcoat, you should use some de-waxer on the area to be gelcoated regardless of any other surface prep.
Good prep is key
Steve: The rest of the boat (cockpit and deck surfaces) have not been painted. How does the gelcoat apply versus paint and does it need to be covered to cure like gelcoat repairs? I'm looking for best balance between ease of prep and application and durability. I probably won't have the boat for more than 3-5 years. Thanks, Tony
Steve: The rest of the boat (cockpit and deck surfaces) have not been painted. How does the gelcoat apply versus paint and does it need to be covered to cure like gelcoat repairs? I'm looking for best balance between ease of prep and application and durability. I probably won't have the boat for more than 3-5 years. Thanks, Tony
Rolling and tipping.
Tony, everyone but Steve uses paint. "Tipping" is simply using a brush to smooth the roller tracks. With a linear paint it is necessary to get the paint to "lay" in the same direction. But I am no expert. Go to the Related Link, then use "nonskid" for your "Article Search". You will find much to contemplate.
Tony, everyone but Steve uses paint.
"Tipping" is simply using a brush to smooth the roller tracks. With a linear paint it is necessary to get the paint to "lay" in the same direction. But I am no expert. Go to the Related Link, then use "nonskid" for your "Article Search". You will find much to contemplate.Rolls on.
Tony: The gelcoat rolls on. It is a one step application. THere is gelcoat, catalyst, color, thickner and wax. You add color if required and add the thickner. You use a special roller to make the stuff peak. It cures because the wax is in the gelcoat (if you order it that way). It is cheaper than 2 part paint and lasts for many years. Everyone in our marina paints (and touches up) there decks every couple of years to make them look nice. PS: dries/cures quickly
Tony: The gelcoat rolls on. It is a one step application. THere is gelcoat, catalyst, color, thickner and wax. You add color if required and add the thickner. You use a special roller to make the stuff peak. It cures because the wax is in the gelcoat (if you order it that way). It is cheaper than 2 part paint and lasts for many years. Everyone in our marina paints (and touches up) there decks every couple of years to make them look nice. PS: dries/cures quickly
Tony
It looks like your non-skid may have been painted in the past. If that is so don't use gelcoat over it. I would'nt use gelcoat anyway, it is messy and difficult to get a real good application.
It looks like your non-skid may have been painted in the past. If that is so don't use gelcoat over it. I would'nt use gelcoat anyway, it is messy and difficult to get a real good application.
Question for Steve
Where can I get some of the "gel coat" non-skid? Some years ago I was able to buy some directly from Hunter but the last time I called them they did not seem to know what I was talking about and referred me to Interlux.
Where can I get some of the "gel coat" non-skid? Some years ago I was able to buy some directly from Hunter but the last time I called them they did not seem to know what I was talking about and referred me to Interlux.
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