Non-skid deck

[Jeremy Rinzler]

Currently our 28.5 has white nonskid decking. Other boats we have owned have had contrasting nonskid and decking. Not only is this easier on the eyes, but ads a nice look to the boat. Has anyone ever painted (or found another way)to get a contrasting deck and non-skid.Any ideas??thanks

 

[Michael O'Hara]

Workin' On It

I've been wanting to replace the non-skid on my H25 for a couple of years, but wasn't sure how to go about it. I'd read Don Casey's books covering it (and I recommend them to you), but I could find nothing on how to remove the old non-skid, which on my boat appears to be painted on. Through some HOW sources - Hunter et al - I found out that it must be sanded off. A job I'm not looking forward to, so it will be put off until Spring. At least...But contrasting colors do appear much more please to the eye. My eye anyway. Is your non-skid painted on, or part of the fiberglass mold?Good luck!

 

[Jeff]

Bright Decks

I have repainted several fiberglass boats, by hand, using Interlux products. If your nonskid is still servicable I would leave it alone. If you really want to go ahead and paint the non-skid, then I would do the following.Clean the non-skid area with ScotchBrite pads and then with a solvent such as acetone. Tape around the non-skid area with fine line masking tape. Don't skimp on the tape quality. Make sure it is down tight by using a wall paper seam roller. Prime according to the manufacturer's instructions. You should probaly add in the non-skid grit which is available and also use a flattening agent on the non-skid area. Make sure that you use the paint manufacture's products. Make sure that you paint during the outside temperature range and never after 3:00 p. m. . Give each coat several days to dry. Always check and follow the manufacurers instructions.Be patient and it will turn out very nice. The only problem then is the rest of the deck looks sad in comparison. So if you are painting for pure aesthetics, wait until the whole deck needs to be painted. I just saw a 28.5 with a new deck paint job and it puts mine to shame even though I wax 3 times a year. Good Luck

 

[George Kornreich]

Hot as ...

One thing to consider if you sail in a hot climate. The grey non-skid is VERY hot to walk on barefoot compared to white in the sun. I know... I've had both.

 

[Doug McAvoy]

Done That.

I have repainted the non-skid on my '76 Hunter 27 - catwalk and cockpit areas. The biggest problem was removing the old layers from previous owners. It took three applications of paint remover to get down to the gelcoat. After a light sanding and masking, I applied Interlux primer and then two coats of Interlux Brightside polyurethane with polymeric non-skid mixed in according to directions. Looks great!

 

[Michael O'Hara]

Doug - What Paint Remover?

Doug, I wanted to use a paint remover on my '81 H25, but was told by Hunter that it would require sanding instead. What type of paint remover did you use? Did it damage the gelcoat in any way?Michael O'