Painting non-skid

31seahorse · Apr 30, 2015

We have used Interlux with success on several boat decks. Our choice has been to mix in the non-skid microbubble material ourselves so we could regulate the roughness. I think there is a premixed formula too. You can have a wide choice of colors, but the standard ones are probably the better choices. Check the Search option on this site. I believe the deck paint and non-skid choices are discussed.

svchickadee · Apr 30, 2015

I would be interested in any product that can be applied to non-skid without having a non-skid additive within that product. Interlux as described in the prior post has a non-skid additive. I used Kiwigrip on my Oday 25. The product is easy to apply and gives an 'okay' result. Kiwigrip is not a high dollar product and does not give a high dollar result but you can do the deck on a 31 foot sailboat with a couple gallons of product.

chrisings · Apr 30, 2015

I've been researching this topic, on and off, for a year now. The molded in diamond pattern non-skid on our boat is worn in some high traffic areas. I spoke with an Interlux rep at the Newport boat show last year. He told me that painting over molded in non-skid, diamond pattern as you are describing, even in good condition, renders it useless as the paint fills in the pattern. His advice to me was to sand smooth all the molded non-skid and apply a product with non-skid properties, such as microbubbles, kiwigrip, etc. Of course he recommended their product.

Given that advice I've been holding off given the magnitude of such a project.

31seahorse · Apr 30, 2015

chrisings said:
His advice to me was to sand smooth all the molded non-skid and apply a product with non-skid properties, such as microbubbles, kiwigrip, etc. Of course he recommended their product.

Given that advice I've been holding off given the magnitude of such a project.

I agree, that course of action is too much work. We have cleaned our decks well (sometimes with a pressure washer), repaired some cracks, and perhaps sanded a bit to give a place for the paint to "bite".

We have been well pleased with the finished look and feel of the non-skid surface. Others must have been satisfied too because we had very little trouble selling the boats on which we applied the Interlux with added microbubbles. Color used was Grand Banks Beige.

Note: I would hesitate to just apply the paint without adding non-skid material of some variety. Things could get pretty slippery, I think.

Phil

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani · Apr 30, 2015

Interlux InterDeck

njlarry · May 1, 2015

Chickadee , what color kiwi did you use?

woodster · May 1, 2015

chrisings said:
I've been researching this topic, on and off, for a year now. The molded in diamond pattern non-skid on our boat is worn in some high traffic areas. I spoke with an Interlux rep at the Newport boat show last year. He told me that painting over molded in non-skid, diamond pattern as you are describing, even in good condition, renders it useless as the paint fills in the pattern. His advice to me was to sand smooth all the molded non-skid and apply a product with non-skid properties, such as microbubbles, kiwigrip, etc. Of course he recommended their product.

Given that advice I've been holding off given the magnitude of such a project.

i have found that if you do a section at a time it is not as hard on you in the long run....its like sailing instead of traveling 400 nm none stop go one small 50 nm or less run to the next port and relax and then do it again until you have made your 400nm ...it also gives you think time on the project just incase you need to make some minor tweaks or adjustments....

just my 2 cents

CloudDiver · May 1, 2015

If your aim is to basically retain the non-skid pattern in the molded deck your only good option is to use the non-skid addative in either Brightsides or Perfection. Interdeck is too thick and will obscure the pattern of the molded non-skid, so basically overkill just like you mentioned about Kiwi-grip.

If your aim is to change the color, than go for it. But if you are not changing the color and your molded non-skip is not damaged then giving it a good cleaning and polishing is much less cost and work. I've had excellent results using ZEP Mold/Mildew/Stain remover (bleach based, very strong) to take all manner of stains out of gelcoat. Anything more stubborn than that, acetone. Once cleaned you can wax and decks will probably look new.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

IH82BL8 said:
I'd like to paint the non-skid portions of my deck. Someone recommended KiwiGrip, but my non-skid is a molded-in diamond pattern and KiwiGrip on top of that seems redundant/overkill. So, I think what I'm looking for is a deck paint with no non-skid characteristics of its own. Any suggestions on what to use or to avoid?

Thanks.

Sunday Sailor · May 3, 2015

How to you wax the deck without making it slippery?

njlarry · May 3, 2015

To paint my cockpit sole I have decided against kiwi as the texture is too different from the rest of the boats non skid. Skid no more has no color charts available and I think matching the color is critical to a professional result. It is only stocked in "grey" but the small picture on the can looks blue!
So I will ether use Pettit WM has color charts to take home to match with the existing and I have found a very close match, but will have to mix in nonskid. Or I can use Interdeck but will need to mix white and grey to get the right color. Big waste of paint for a small area but maybe the best way.