Painting the fiberglass deck

[coopec]

Today I gave the deck of the yacht a coat of two pot Manila gloss. I wondered whether I should have given it a "flat" coat rather than gloss but my Son (who has done quite a bit of deck work) says the ocean is glossy so it doesn't make any difference.

What is the conventional wisdom?

 

[Stemar]

I'd be concerned about a gloss paint being slippery when it gets wet, but the only issue for bits you don't walk on is that a gloss shows the imperfections more. For painters of less than consummate skill like me, a silk or eggshell finish is more forgiving.

 

[Tranona]

Surely your deck should be non slip, not fancy gloss? - or are you talking about the coachroof?

There are various specialist paints for non slip deck areas such as Interdeck or Kiwideck or you can use a masonry paint (a textured finish for walls)

 

[coopec]

I'd be concerned about a gloss paint being slippery when it gets wet, but the only issue for bits you don't walk on is that a gloss shows the imperfections more. For painters of less than consummate skill like me, a silk or eggshell finish is more forgiving.

The deck has already been painted with non slippery sanded areas. I'm painting over the sanded areas as well as the areas you don't walk on such as cabin sides. (There's no imperfections so that aspect is not a worry)

I wouldn't slip on the sanded areas but they do look glossy when painted.

 

[geem]

No problem with glossy over sand. It's what we have. Awlgrip on ours. What sand did you use?

 

[coopec]

No problem with glossy over sand. It's what we have. Awlgrip on ours. What sand did you use?

It was sand supplied by the paint /fiber glass supplier. It wasn't their coarsest but "medium"

 

[William_H]

To OP what is done is done so see how you like it. I painted my little boat desk some years back with 2 pack white gloss. It probably keeps the cabin cooler than the original beige gel coat. Yes it is a problem getting a non skid surface and I have used Intergrip (sand). Main problem is that I always have to wear sun glasses for sailing but then as said sea is glossy anyway. (yes we get lots of sun) ol'will

 

[geem]

It was sand supplied by the paint /fiber glass supplier. It wasn't their coarsest but "medium"

The problem with sand is that as the nonslip wears, the deck is covered with black bit. This is the sand. You just see specks all over you paint finish. We eventually replaced our sand with the Awlgrip system. Stupid money but effective none slip that looks good. I am not sure I would do it again. Way too costly. There are some self coloured rubber beads that look good. Cream deck paint with cream beads seems to work. As the paint wears you don't notice the same colour rubber bits

 

[fisherman]

It was sand supplied by the paint /fiber glass supplier. It wasn't their coarsest but "medium"

Try B&Q playpit sand. On flocoat in my case (this pic out for the second time in ten mins)
.

 

[graham]

I used masonry paint on our non slip deck areas .been on a couple of seasons now and still looks good. Fraction of the cost of yacht deck paint.

At a local commercial paint supply shop you buy a can of white then they mix it whatever colour you like.

You dont want anything too rough or it will quickly trash your clothing.

Re gloss Brilliant white gloss will give off a lot of glare in sunshine ,not a huge problem in Britain

 

[geem]

I used masonry paint on our non slip deck areas .been on a couple of seasons now and still looks good. Fraction of the cost of yacht deck paint.

At a local commercial paint supply shop you buy a can of white then they mix it whatever colour you like.

Are you a liveaboard? We found that the high traffic on our boat as a liveaboard needs a far more durable finish. Two pack paint such as Awlgrip gives us that. Even so, it will wear down after a couple of years in the spots where we step in and out of the cockpit several times a day, day after day, all year. In addition we are in the Tropics. UV damage to paint surfaces is high. Lesser quality paints can't deal with the UV and soon turn chalky out here. Even cars here have blistered paint from being sat in the sun day after day.

 

[Blueboatman]

It’s done so anything I say is irrelevant
But satin or flat light grey 2pack for me with lotsa correct anti slip in it.

And never a gloss white cabin top

(Prefer matt green to blue too )

The tropical sun is bright 🕶

 

[geem]

It’s done so anything I say is irrelevant
But satin or flat light grey 2pack for me with lotsa correct anti slip in it.

And never a gloss white cabin top

(Prefer matt green to blue too )

The tropical sun is bright ☀🕶

We chose cream. A lot less glare but still keeps the decks cool. You can walk on them in bare feet without burning. The cabin stays cool. We had a light grey deck on a previous boat that even in the UK you couldn't walk on it on one of those rare very hot days

 

[Blueboatman]

We chose cream. A lot less glare but still keeps the decks cool. You can walk on them in bare feet without burning. The cabin stays cool. We had a light grey deck on a previous boat that even in the UK you couldn't walk on it on one of those rare very hot days

Yup cream is good and easy on the eye
Buckets of seawater , you know it’s a hot day!

 

[graham]

Are you a liveaboard? We found that the high traffic on our boat as a liveaboard needs a far more durable finish. Two pack paint such as Awlgrip gives us that. Even so, it will wear down after a couple of years in the spots where we step in and out of the cockpit several times a day, day after day, all year. In addition we are in the Tropics. UV damage to paint surfaces is high. Lesser quality paints can't deal with the UV and soon turn chalky out here. Even cars here have blistered paint from being sat in the sun day after day.

No not living aboard and based in UK .Sun does come out now and then ,last year my son and I were doing short watches to take turns out of the sun then soaking our hats in fresh water before coming out on deck again. Were not used to it!