Painting over sanded non-skid surface

[CharlieCot]

I recently replaced the 50 year old leaky teak-over-ply deck of my 38 ft keelboat with glass over ply and then finished with Altex 2 part epoxy paint. The non-slip walk areas were masked off and had added Altex fine non-slip particles. A big job well done by a knowledgeable and conscientious shipwright. Unfortunately my wife does not like the colour (white), too glarey and, to a lesser degree, the non-slip is too sharp.

The shipwright thinks it easier to change my wife than to change the deck.

Grey is her prefered non-slip colour. Water channels etc to remain white.

I have considerd all the options. The best would seem to be to grind of all the non skid and replace, but that would be a huge job and the end finish would probably not be as good as it is now. Just about every advice I have been offered by paint company techs has involved grinding / sanding to 'key' the existing epoxy followed by full treatment, primer, 2-pack polyurethane, particles etc. However I have read in a previous post that it is not necessary to prep the surface - that particle-containing non-sllp or even most basket weave gelcoat non slip patterns are sufficiently "toothy" to be overcoated without . If this is so I would be inclined to use ordinary single-pack marine paint (I have used this on my coachhouse and it has lasted very well).

If I did go this way would I loose a significant amount of non-slip properties with a single coat? Would a single coat of pale grey cover up the white completely. If a second coat was required would this result in any non-slip properties remaining?

 

[dlochner]

Have you considered Kiwi Grip? Or Soft Sand?

Some sanding will be necessary to get good paint adhesion and it will probably take more than one coat. I'd be inclined to sand the newly painted areas and not worry about removing all of the non-slip particles and then apply several coats of a durable paint. After the first coat you'll have a better idea of how well the non-slip particles are doing. It will likely need more non-slip particles between the sanding a a couple of coats of paint. Soft Sand is reputed to be easier on the feet and knees some of the other choices.

 

[jssailem]

my wife does not like the colour (white), too glarey and, to a lesser degree, the non-slip is too sharp

I read these two critiques of the present system as critical items to modify.

Color should be the easy part.

To paint over epoxy paint you will need to provide a surface for the new paint to adhere. I would follow the paint manufacturers directions what ever they are. I would conjecture that if you are going with something other than an epoxy paint, then you will need to scuff up the current epoxy paint surface and likely a primer...

There is a product "Soft Sand" I heard about on BoatworksToday.com
It sounds like a product I will use when I redo the non-skid on my boat.

 

[PaulK]

The non-skid is going to wear down. It might be easier to be patient. The white glare is also going to fade a bit, simply from sun and washing-down. Can you get new sunglasses in the meantime? It would be a lot cheaper.

 

[JoeWhite]

And; testing it on a piece of plywood would provide how the fished result would look before performing on the yacht.
Do not change your wife!

 

[jssailem]

Do not change your wife!

Yes.. sound advice.
I hear that is more expensive than buying her a new boat.

 

[RoyS]

Yes.. sound advice.
I hear that is more expensive than buying her a new boat.

And unlike boats a new wife likely requires more maintenance than and old wife.

 

[JBP-PA]

If you try the easy route, e.g. just put on another coat of paint in the correct color, and it fails, you are still in the same position you are now, so why not try it? Ok, paint is expensive, but it might also smooth out some of the texture that she feels to too sharp anyway.

 

[CharlieCot]

That's what I am thinking......

 

[JBP-PA]

If the existing surface is glossy between the grit, you can "key" it/rough it with a wire brush

 

[SeaCure]

Nooooo can you tell me more about the surface and what area is being painted

 

[SeaCure]

I’m sorry I need to read better doh. I think non slip paints have high wear and a hard paint would fall off it.

 

[CharlieCot]

If the existing surface is glossy between the grit, you can "key" it/rough it with a wire brush

The existing surface is pretty rough - like 80-100 grit sandpaper. There is not much space between the grit particles and little obvious gloss.