Painting : Deck, Mast and boom.

[Don K.]

The former owner painted the deck on my boat and it is a mess. What is the best product to strip the fiberglass deck and what paint would you recommend to repaint. We will be spraying. I also want to paint the aluminum mast and boom that are quite weathered.

 

[jcherubini]

..and nonskid deck paint?

I must have a deck like Don K's; and I hate the colour anyway. I'd be interested to hear how one strips or sands down a deck covered with chunky nonskid material in the paint. Strip? --then where does the chemical go? Sand? --and then what grit will handle it?JC 2

 

[Debra B]

Boat paint options

Interlux produces a "Boat Painting Guide" that you can pick up free at the large boat-supply chains. Has some good general info even if you don't go with them.I have talked to a few people (current and former painters at boat yards). Everyone agrees that the 2 part systems are harder than the 1 part. For me this means I have to use a 2 part primer, since the former owner used a one-part poly paint.The 2 part systems have a pot life of hours, so it shouldn't be a problem to work with.There are some 1-part systems out that have teflon in them for keeping rid of the dirt (not for non-skid) that also look interesting.Whatever paint you use, thin it according to the instructions. A few people skipped that step around here and have a lot of brush marks.You can (at least around here) buy some marine 1-part polyurathane paints at the large home-improvement stores.Non-skid: You can use sand -- several people in the marina have, and it isn't bad. (put the 2 part primer down, dust with sand before it sets, and sweep) The paint companies make additives you mix with the paint to supply grit. These take on the color of the paint. (As my non-skid wears off, it exposes the sand which is a different color than the paint.)I did spend some time talking to folks at one of the boat yards in the area that does Awlgrip spraying. They work with this stuff all the time, and were willing to talk to me. (They knew I wasn't going to spend the bucks to have them do it.) You might talk to someone in your area.

 

[Debra B]

Stripping may not be required

You should only need to strip if the paint is really flaking off. If the adhesion is good, you can prime over it. (My boat is chalky and the white is looking blotchy. With proper preparation I can paint right over the old surface.)Good luck.

 

[Stephen Ord]

Try Feb 1, 2003 Practical Sailor

There is a complete article about Restoring Decks - Nonskid Options. Current Issue - Volume 29 Number 3. They tested paints, additives and dack mats.