Redoing the non-skid with kiwigrip

[Alctel]

It's finally time to tackle the topsides and non-skid.

I am going to try to salvage the gelcoat on the smooth parts with an aggressive compound/polish/wax, but the non-skid is unbelievably grimy.

I intend to paint over it with kiwigrip, but I was wondering - do I sand off all the moulded gelcoat nonskid first? It's slightly raised.

I did a search and saw some other posts from people but it's unclear if they sanded the non-skid flat before painting or just did it over the top.

 

[Gene Neill]

You can Kiwi right over the non skid, no need to sand it off.

 

[dbecker68]

We painted right over the existing non-skid without sanding, not a problem

 

[njlarry]

I am about to do the same.
My question is how to get the proper color match.
Have you considered gel coat with a flex mat corp mold? If they have a mold that matches your deck it is another option.

 

[Alctel]

Perfect, saves me a ton of sanding!

Not concerned about colour matching - I have to redo the whole thing. Now I just need to decide what colour to choose

 

[rardiH36]

Just to open up some considerations (and maybe to add to confusion) please see Post #5 in the below thread.

In it, I did mention my method for achieving a desired color. Although I used 2-Part Interlux Perfection, I would expect that for Kiwi-Grip the same would apply. If the goal is a very a subtle gray, then perhaps buy the whitest color Kiwi has. Then mix in a smidgeon of black and brown tints. Just black on its own will yield a gray, but the effect will be a noticeable blue hue. Adding a small dab of brown tint will give the gray more of a natural earth tone. Or if the goal is a subtle off-white or tan, then just adding brown tint will probably yield a hue that leans towards the yellow. Then just a smidgen of black should bring the effect back into a more natural looking balance. Certainly experiment first with a very small batch, so adjustments can be made before the whole can of Kiwi-Grip is tinted.

On the need to sand down the OEM non-skid relief: If your Cherubini H36 is like mine was, the original non-skid relief on the cabin top and the side deck might be in fine condition. No need to sand it down. If your surface hasn't been waxed, (not sure why anyone would wax non-skid anyway), then just a good bronze wire brush scrubbing with some de-greaser type of product followed by a gentle power wash to remove any residual surface oxidation will be plenty adequate preparation for the new paint. My application of Interlux Perfection hasn't peeled off anywhere at all after six years.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1177414&highlight=perfection non-skid

 

[Alctel]

Just to open up some considerations (and maybe to add to confusion) please see Post #5 in the below thread.

In it, I did mention my method for achieving a desired color. Although I used 2-Part Interlux Perfection, I would expect that for Kiwi-Grip the same would apply. If the goal is a very a subtle gray, then perhaps buy the whitest color Kiwi has. Then mix in a smidgeon of black and brown tints. Just black on its own will yield a gray, but the effect will be a noticeable blue hue. Adding a small dab of brown tint will give the gray more of a natural earth tone. Or if the goal is a subtle off-white or tan, then just adding brown tint will probably yield a hue that leans towards the yellow. Then just a smidgen of black should bring the effect back into a more natural looking balance. Certainly experiment first with a very small batch, so adjustments can be made before the whole can of Kiwi-Grip is tinted.

On the need to sand down the OEM non-skid relief: If your Cherubini H36 is like mine was, the original non-skid relief on the cabin top and the side deck might be in fine condition. No need to sand it down. If your surface hasn't been waxed, (not sure why anyone would wax non-skid anyway), then just a good bronze wire brush scrubbing with some de-greaser type of product followed by a gentle power wash to remove any residual surface oxidation will be plenty adequate preparation for the new paint. My application of Interlux Perfection hasn't peeled off anywhere at all after six years.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1177414&highlight=perfection non-skid

Damn that's a clean looking boat!

I don't think I am going to tint - i'll probably do the non-skid in sections and by not tinting it will make it easier to match. I will look at interlux though - is it thin enough that the original non skid is still usable? I went with kiwi grip because its easily textureable (is that a word?) using the roller, so even if it covers up the original nonskid ridges it will still work.

 

[rardiH36]

Damn that's a clean looking boat!

Haven't you discovered yet that Cherubini Hunters were built with self-cleaning technology?

 

[njlarry]

Another option, number 6?, ever coat skid no more. Only comes in grey but can be tinted. Has anyone tried it?

 

[Capt jgw]

You have to get a good clean surface with some "tooth" for the paint to stick to, out out will soon lift and blister, no matter what kind of paint is used. I belief this boat has the "stipple" you're non skid, random little bumps and peaks, rather than a molded in diamond or checker board pattern. I would sand it flat and smooth with a DA sander and 60 or 80 grit paper. Not to bad a job. The kiwi grip will put down a similar pattern. The diamond pattern is harder to do. You can sand the tops of the squares of but that leaves the dirt and gunk in the grooves. You could wire brush those by hand but that would be a real nasty job. When I did my Columbia, I ground off all the diamond pattern with 24 grit paper then smoothed with 80 grit. Still nasty, but easier than all that hand work.
I put on two coats of Interlux Perfection with their non skid powder added. Looks real nice, kind of a semi gloss finish with good grip, and much easier to clean than the original diamond pattern.

 

[The Garbone]

Did our C30 with Kiwi. Get a notched trowel and big spoon. The trowel gives a uniform thickness before you hit it with the loopy roller. Covered the factory nonskid just fine.

I did prep the surface with an acid wash to ensure it was clean. Sno Bol toilet bowl cleaner brushed on and rinse off.

There are some good kiwi grip videos on YouTube.