Waxing GRP topsides

RichardTaylor

RichardTaylor

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I am looking to put a protection coating on the topsides of our GRP boat. For the hull I would use a wax, but especially where there is the non slip snarling effect, the last thing I want to do is loose the non-slip by making it nice and shiny. What do people use on the topsides whilst maintaining non-slip?
 
It's a bit unusual to find nonslip on topsides, topsides is the bit between the water and the deck, this is just a quick description in case anyone pull me up on it
 
Yes - topside is the shiny bit between the antifouling and the toerail, easy mistake to make. The coachroof and sidedecks are the bit you walk on - I wouldn't use wax on any of those bits except maybe the vertical where the windows are set - I hope not to be walking on those.
 
To be honest I dont think I have ever polished the deck or superstructure. Too fiddly!
If I did I'd use the same wax polish as it put on the hull ( topsides ) after compounding.

The raised and patterned non slip areas, which were not non-slip anyway when wet, I have painted with non slip deck paint ( Interdeck ) If they need to be recoated ( unlikely in my ownership) I would probably use Sandtex or a similar textured masonry paint
 
capsco said:
It's a bit unusual to find nonslip on topsides, topsides is the bit between the water and the deck, this is just a quick description in case anyone pull me up on it
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The Coastguard seem to regard the deck as the topsides - the CG66 form asks for "Hull Colour (Upper) Hull Colour (Lower) and Colour (Topsides)". I have always suumed they mean deck as topsides, as it is probably the colour the helicopter will be seeing most of.

I agree however that in yachting terminology the topsides are always the bit between boot-top and gunwale.

I certainly would not put anything on the non-slip areas of GRP deck, but do very occasionally use a patent cleany-waxy product on the smooth shiny sides of the coachroof.
 
jwilson said:
The Coastguard seem to regard the deck as the topsides - the CG66 form asks for "Hull Colour (Upper) Hull Colour (Lower) and Colour (Topsides)". I have always suumed they mean deck as topsides, as it is probably the colour the helicopter will be seeing most of.

I agree however that in yachting terminology the topsides are always the bit between boot-top and gunwale.

I certainly would not put anything on the non-slip areas of GRP deck, but do very occasionally use a patent cleany-waxy product on the smooth shiny sides of the coachroof.
Click to expand...

There are two definition of "topsides" in the Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea

One refers to ships, the other to yachts


1 That part of the side of a ship which is above the main wales. The term referred particularly to square-rigged sailing warships, where the main wales ran level with the bottom of the upper deck gunports. In its modern meaning it usually refers to that portion of the ship's side which rises above the upper deck though the term is often loosely used to refer to the upper deck itself. For example ‘I'm going topsides’ means ‘I'm going on the upper deck.’

2 The sides of yachts, above the boottop, are also known as topsides.​


BTW did you know that you can access the OED and other Oxford reference publications by logging in with your public library card number
 
RichardTaylor said:
I am looking to put a protection coating on the topsides of our GRP boat. For the hull I would use a wax, but especially where there is the non slip snarling effect, the last thing I want to do is loose the non-slip by making it nice and shiny. What do people use on the topsides whilst maintaining non-slip?
Click to expand...

I import Woody Wax from Australia for non slip protection.
The grip actually increases, yet protects the non slip part of the gel coat from oxidation.
Normal wax is of course to be avoided, for simple reasons.
 
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