painting non-slip decks?

[nimuemusic]

I am buying a Contest 34CS with white non-slip decks (pimple finish) They don't look very attractive and I thought I might paint them a light grey. Does anyone have any experience of this? One 'expert' I mentioned it to said it would be nigh impossible without removing (sanding) all the pimples. That seems a little drastic to me. Any suggestions as to the best paint for the job?

 

[Tranona]

Whole range of choices. Some people swear by Sandtex, others use dedicated deck paint from International or Hempel, some make their own, or you could try one of the newer finishes such as Kiwigrip.

 

[bendyone]

Sandtex works for me, 2 years now and still looking good.

 

[lefkasman]

Painted mine a light grey last season, they were previously a light cream, it was a big mistake as the decks now get too hot to stand on in bare feet in high season say June, July, Aug, Sept.

Guess you may not get that problem in the UK though. But they do look nicer.

 

[Twister_Ken]

No need to sand off the pimples. Just clean throughly, allow to dry, mask up around the edges and any fittings, then slap on the gloop. Two coats. I used Blakes (now Hempels) Light Grey. Smashing.

 

[baggypipes]

non slip

Hi been doing ours today used Premier non-slip deck paint, grey is darker but ok very important to light sand & a good clean. We had a light grey from international did not last even a season very disapointed. The Premier is thicker but whent on easy i used a brush then roller got a great finnish. time will tell how it lasts.
Nothing to do with the company just a satisfied customer so far.

 

[maxi77]

The only thing I have found wrong with Sandtex is it fades in the sunlight, apart from that 18 months on it is great.

 

[William_H]

Painting non skid decks

I painted mine years back and still regret doing it. The paint is fine in the dimples however you lose the non skid aspect. So you need to use sand (I used Intergrip on the paint).
I painted the decks a glossy white. Hopefully the easiest colour to match in future. It now means I can only sail wearing sun glasses unless it is dark.
The next problem is that my favourite sailing trousers get worn out on the bottom very rapidly. They now have patch upon patch upon patch. It is almost forming a built in cushion.
The original colour was a beige and I now understand why.

I would suggest the OP tries lots of oxalic acid on decks in the hope of improving the appearance without painting. or even try painting just the smooth borders of non skid areas. of course eventually it will have to be painted and at least once done is easy to touch up. I would say mine always looks good from a distance but never good close up. good luck olewill

 

[Gordonmc]

Whole range of choices. Some people swear by Sandtex, others use dedicated deck paint from International or Hempel, some make their own, or you could try one of the newer finishes such as Kiwigrip.

I am half-way doing my decks with Kiwigrip. Coachroof and aft-deck now done with just the side-decks and foredeck to go.
As a singer of Sandtex's praises in the past I have to say Kiwigrip is the DBs. I chose it because the decks are/were in a state with holes and damage and the Kiwigrip covers a multitude of sins. The amount of texture can be varied using the special roller which is supplied, from relatively smooth to quite aggressive for areas where you really need good grip such as the foredeck.
Its a water-based polymer so goes on easily. There are some good YouTube clips to give a better idea.
Expensive, though.

 

[Tranona]

Thats encouraging. I have to strip and refinish my Ply decks this year. I am torn between using teak veneers as I have in the cockpit - but a huge amount of work and cost. Currently have Interdeck, but it is not very durable. Have seen a couple of GRP boats done with Kiwigrip and it looks good. What are your decks made of?

 

[Gordonmc]

Thats encouraging. I have to strip and refinish my Ply decks this year. I am torn between using teak veneers as I have in the cockpit - but a huge amount of work and cost. Currently have Interdeck, but it is not very durable. Have seen a couple of GRP boats done with Kiwigrip and it looks good. What are your decks made of?

The coachroof is GRP covered ply but the fore, side and aft decks are ferro-cement. Over the years there have been several coats of differing anti-slip paint applied and some was lifting in places... more on the glass covered play than the ferro. I used a flapper disc on an angle grinder to get the loose stuff off and feather the crater edges. The Kiwigrip can be trowelled over the really bad bits and textured with the roller.

 

[wooslehunter]

Unless you particularly like painted decks I'd say just leave them as they are. I have to paint every one or two years or they look terrible.

This year I'm trying something new: paint afetr launch once the weather is warmer. Previous years I've painted before launch - just before (launch date is planned months in advance & has to happen that day as we all help each other in the club & rent a crane). Boat looks great until the launch & then the decks get walked on too early. Although deck paint dries off quickly, it seems that it needs a week or two of warm weather before it's resistant to staining - mud, bird poo etc.

If I had the choice I'd stay with no paint.

 

[GrumpyOldGit]

Hi been doing ours today used Premier non-slip deck paint, grey is darker but ok very important to light sand & a good clean. We had a light grey from international did not last even a season very disapointed. The Premier is thicker but whent on easy i used a brush then roller got a great finnish. time will tell how it lasts.
Nothing to do with the company just a satisfied customer so far.

Definitely Pls One for Premier, Not connected in any way, just a very satisfied customer !!!