Deck paint advice - Hempel non-slip vs. International Toplac (with granules added)

[mikeakc]

Hi all,
I'm redoing the decks of our Colvic Northerner. Last winter I used International Toplac with their granules on the small aft deck. I did not use interdeck due to the narrow colour options (I wanted navy). The grainy toplac went on a treat and looks great after one season, however, I don't find it grips very well and it is also very glossy / shiny. Now I come to the forward deck, a much bigger area and I'm toying with the idea of Hempel non-slip deck coating. Can anyone give me some feedback on this product? Specifically I'd like to know whether it's matt or glossy, how durable it is after a number of years and how grippy / slippy it is compared to granule enhanced Toplac.

Just for those interested, the photo attached shows the new grainy toplac on the aft deck, and down the side deck you can see the very grippy but old previous paintwork. I think this was sprinkled sand, but done before I bought the boat.
Any advice appreciated!
Thanks,
Mike

 

[fredrussell]

Did the side and fore decks with Hempel 18 months ago. My boat gets used a lot, year round. It’s matt, non slip is ok. The only bad areas on mine are where I didn’t do the prep well enough. My guess is it’ll need re-doing in another couple of years, perhaps three - so pretty good really.

Not cheap, at £20 or so per 750ml. I’m sure non-marine polyurethane paint with granules added would achieve the same success at lower cost.

 

[Tranona]

Can't help with the grip, but guess that is a function of the amount of granules you mix with the paint. Interdeck is good non slip and would guess the dedicated Hempel is similar. You can flatten the gloss of Toplac by adding some Prekote (undercoat) to it.

 

[kalanka]

I did my cockpit floor with Hempel last year. Very happy with its non-slip qualities and easy to apply but the dove grey does tend to get stained.

 

[Humblebee]

Just a thought, there are other makers and suppliers as well.
I found these folk good to deal with and they have quite a database of knowledge on their website.

SML Marine Paints - Marine Paint | Boat Paint | Antifouling | Accessories

 

[mikeakc]

Thank you for all the prompt responses. I followed the advice and went to get some Hempel just now, they have put a sticker on the lid showing colour and texture and it feels less slippy than toplac plus additive and is certainly less matt too. Very good advice from Paul in Seaware Penryn too. Cheers. I'll post a photo and any further thoughts when I'm finished!
Mike

 

[fredrussell]

I’m going to try grey polyurethane floor paint on my cockpit sole as an experiment. It’s £38 for 5 litres so a third the price of boaty stuff. The Leyland stuff comes in a nice ‘frigate grey’ which to my eye is not far off the Hempel light grey I’ve used on my boat.

 

[ChromeDome]

I used Kiwi Grip. Easy and very happy with the result.

Check Youtube vids.

 

[BobnLesley]

I’m going to try grey polyurethane floor paint on my cockpit sole as an experiment. It’s £38 for 5 litres so a third the price of boaty stuff. ..

I suspect it'll work very well. We got excellent and hardwearing results on our side & fore decks using a polyurethane 'deck paint' - as in timber/concrete verandahs - which we bought in a big US DIY store; for added non-slip properties, we just stirred in a little fine sand - washed first - which we'd collected on a beach in St Thomas, USVIs.

 

[Boathook]

Textured masonry paint works well and can be mixed to any colour. Seems to last well as well and provides decent grip.

 

[ryanroberts]

Make sure you don't spill any fuel etc on the hempel, it destroys it sharpish. I also had a few spots with low adhesion, but easily patchable. Possibly would have been better off with non marine epoxy floor safety paint.

 

[LittleSister]

PBO did a comparison test several years ago of different deck painting options, including masonry paint and other alternatives to the premium yachting brands. I don't know if this is available online now.

I seem to recall that they concluded that whereas the masonry paint (the thing I was most interested to know about at the time) was good at first, it was harder to get clean again once it had been dirtied by muddy boots etc. than at least some of the yacht products.

 

[mikeakc]

Yes that exactly right, I read that test too. I suspect it will be far less of an issue with darker colours though. Anyway, I've been a coward and splashed out on Hempel! Thanks @LittleSister

 

[Kukri]

I think (I may be out of date) that most yacht deck paint, including Hempels, is chlorinated rubber, which is why you use “thinners no.2” for it and for most antifoulings.

You can put alkyd paint ( most “one pots”) over chlorinated rubber but not vice versa.

 

[ChromeDome]

Deck paints on test - Practical Boat Owner