Sanding non slip decks

[MagicalArmchair]

So, the deck painting project marches forward! The whole deck has been washed twice in International Superwash and had an acetone scrub too. About half the deck is 'sanded' with a DA, the trouble is, the non slip of the original molded deck makes it impossible to get into the valleys of the non slip...

Interprotect is what will be going on first, and epoxy primer is pretty damn sticky stuff... should I be worried that these valleys are unkeyed? Is there a way of sanding into these grooves? Or am I overthinking it?

 

[FairweatherDave]

Hi Mark
Watching your work with interest .
What does "sanded with a DA mean?

 

[MagicalArmchair]

Hi Mark
Watching your work with interest .
What does "sanded with a DA mean?

What ho Dave, DA stands for Dual Action, so like one of these puppies just not quite so wizard:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/festool-rotex-ro-150-feq-plus-sander-ax481227

 

[MagicalArmchair]

Just in case anyone comes this way scratching their head in future with the same issue, I approached my friends at Axminster for a solution, they said:

"That is not quite as deep as I had thought so may have a solution for you. We offer an Interface pad which can be used between the disc and the sander which offers a foam cushion allowing the disk to mould more to contours,

http://www.axminster.co.uk/mirka-interface-pad-125mm-33-hole-101707

in conjunction with something like the Abranet product which is more flexible than a standard cloth backed disc.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/mirka-abranet-abrasive-disc-120g-125mm-pkt-10-502615

It may not be 100% effective at maintaining the peaks but would certainly be more effective than a hard pad."

I'll report back on whether it is any improvement...