Deck coating

[Streffpilot]

Hey, just a question here. What is the best coating for the deck in a boat? It is plywood covered in a layer of fiberglass. Is there a gelcoat that could have sand added to it to increase traction? or a gelcoat that could be impressed with a "traction pattern"?

I currently have paint with sand in it, but I would like to have the more "factory" apperance of the gelcoat with some sort of traction in it.

Any ideas??

 

[friderday]

Hello and welcome....refer to my Larivee thread, post around #230 I think. This is my 2nd restore in as many years. The last one, my son used Kiwi Grip. Not impressed at all for the $$$$$$$$. So on this one, my boat, I decided to try the sand sprinkled on wet gel, then cover with gel lightly. I did it on my casting deck, and within the next 2 wks, will do it on the full deck as it is the last thing I have left to do besides odds & ends. I have not tried it yet, but I don't think it can be any worse than Kiwi and a heck of a lot cheaper. If I don't like it, I'll grind it off and try something else. Hope this helps....oh...and I used an aquarium net to sprinkle the sand, then blew off with compressor after it set, then gelled over. Good luck....Lisa

 

[Mikeopsycho]

I'm going to try crushed walnut shells. My brother in law bought some when he glassed his sundeck, and he gave me the leftovers. They are the consistency of course sand. Apparently they are light and will float to the surface of the gelcoat for a non-skid finish. I was hoping to find out how much to use and whether to mix it into the gelcoat or sprinkle it on after here on iboats. Mike

 

[Woodonglass]

Actually they do make press-in GelCoat molds. If I remember correctly, they are NOT cheap!!!


Here's the link...http://gibcoflexmold.com/