Flowcoat, sugar sprinkle and dissolve nonskid thoughts

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DHV90

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Hi everyone,

trying a few test pieces for different nonskid paint ideas. I've tried a thick layer of flow coat, sprinkled with sugar directly onto the surface. This is then left to dry and the sugar is then washed off with water, removing the sugar but leaving the imprints of the grains. This seems to leave a really nice, uniform, grippy pattern but without the harsh particles and Im hoping the smooth finish within all of the sugar grain shapes will be resilient to dirt holding. Should be long lasting, having a chemical bond with the gelcoat beneath, and then easy to sand back when it needs refreshing in several years time.

Does anyone on here have experience of similar techniques? I have only done a test piece so was wondering if anyone has lived with that for a long time and if it works well?

thanks :)
 
searj said:
Hi everyone,

trying a few test pieces for different nonskid paint ideas. I've tried a thick layer of flow coat, sprinkled with sugar directly onto the surface. This is then left to dry and the sugar is then washed off with water, removing the sugar but leaving the imprints of the grains. This seems to leave a really nice, uniform, grippy pattern but without the harsh particles and Im hoping the smooth finish within all of the sugar grain shapes will be resilient to dirt holding. Should be long lasting, having a chemical bond with the gelcoat beneath, and then easy to sand back when it needs refreshing in several years time.

Does anyone on here have experience of similar techniques? I have only done a test piece so was wondering if anyone has lived with that for a long time and if it works well?

thanks :)
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No experience but I read about this technique years ago in the The Wooden Boat magazine and it seems like a good idea. I reckon it would be a lot easier to scrape off, when necessary, than deck paint with grit in it.
 
Salted (not sugar) varnish is very traditional. I have also used this with 1-part and 2-part paints. I like it much better than any of the additives... but they can't make money selling it.

You can adjust the grit by adjusting the grind (table salt is smooth, coarse salt out of a grinder is rough).

Sanding and refinishing goes as though it's not even there. Very easy to maintain. Practical Sailor article link, below.

http://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_61/features/Do-It-Yourself-Salted-Surfaces_11901-1.html
 
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Thanks for the input guys, sounds promising. Pleased to here its a bit more usual than I thought :)

How is the harshness on feet/waterproofs compared to fancier paints like awlgrip etc?

Slight afterthought but has anyone tried applying Floatcoat with an awgrip style roller even to create a similar effect? more/less effective/harsh?
 
We used to use that method on windurf boards in the old days. Very effective but don't walk on it before a light sanding. Especially with bare feet.
 
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