Options for deck surfacing on a rebuild

[chieftaing]

After completely rebuilding decks on 1985 14 ft Bayliner Capri BR, I'm not sure how to finish the decks. Won't do carpet like original - many posts already advising against just resin & carpet.

I can put down 2 layers of 1.5 oz CSM & poly resin for waterproofing & strength. Or, I think I have enough 1708 for 1 layer of 1.5 oz CSM then 1708.

If I use gelcoat, how smooth will deck be?

If i use good boat paint over either CSM or 1708, how smooth will that be?

I cannot find the procedure for proper prep of a glassed replacement deck when using gelcoat or when using paint.
I'd like the deck to have a clean look & feel; something that won't trap dirt & can be mopped & cleaned easily, & also won't require refinishing anytime soon. Its such a small deck area that I don't think anti-slip is really required.

I'd also don't want to spend a fortune. Needs to be "good enough" without being overkill.

The forums hit many options, but I cannot find anything that helps me with tradeoffs in deck finishing options. Sorry for all the questions but there is SO much expertise & knowledge in this group that I'm like a moth to a flame. Thx!

 

[GA_Boater]

Look at Nautolex. It's non-slip, durable, easily cleaned and non-snagging like carpet. And it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Just an option to look at, chief.

 

[jbcurt00]

Prep prep prep of the existing surface will determine how smooth the deck finishes w/ either gel or paint. Smooth can be slick. Adding grit to either may help camouflage some uneven-ness, and improve slip resistence.

 

[ondarvr]

No need for 1708, but you could use it, if you do you don't need the layer of CSM, or use the CSM on top because 1708 leaves a rather textured surface, I just used the textured surface of the 1708 as the nonskid on mine.

There is no prep work before using gel coat, just put a couple coats on within the next day or so, the more coats you put on the less glass texture there will be. For paint to work well you need to allow the resin to cure and sand it for a good bond, most paints won't stick well to the surface of an of an unprepped laminate. Paint will hide very little of the texture, but if you sand it there won't be much texture to hide.

Most products used on a deck tend to hold dirt, even the vinyl flooring holds some dirt, but the colors used can mask it.

Not sure what you mean by the deck is small so it shouldn't need any nonskid, if you can put you foot on it it should have some kind of a nonskid surface. The is one of the few situations where size doesn't matter.

 

[Bonus Check]

I'm thinking of using colored Bed liner on mine when I remove the carpet. Admiral seems to like the non-carpeted newer boats but she wants to make sure its cool to the feet. She went by Legendary Marine in Destin this passed weekend and liked the looks of the all white floor. We can always add snap in carpet if she doesn't like the bed liner.

 

[Woodonglass]

We've had some members report adhesion problems with the bedliner in the marine environment. Again, I suspect it's all about prep, If the surface is extremely clean and prepped properly it will probably adhere ok. I'm kinda partial to this product...http://www.duragrid.com/?gclid=CKLm3-Dk2sYCFQ-maQodlC0Jrg
Can be cut to fit, allows water to drain to the bilge, Always cool on the feet. About $3.00 bucks a sq ft. so you can do a typical 18' boat deck for about $250 or less depending on your seating and engine layout. Comes in almost any color. Easy to install. Just another alternative. Great for fishing boats too. Lets you wash the Blood and guts right through to the bilge.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I put Durabak (similar to bedliner) in my boat, and it has not worn well. If I had to do it over, I'd put down gelcoat over 1708 and then buy some of the grids that WOG links to above. That stuff looks really nice and the prices is pretty good, too.

 

[chieftaing]

OK - I'm heading towards gelcoat; I'll try a few test pieces with csm, 1708, some with antislip, some without, etc. I have a spray gun that I'll try along with roller & tipping. I'll check out the duragrid too.

There are many gelcoat choices. I got my glass & resin from us composites, just go with their gelcoat?

Interlux has both one & two part polyurethane products - any opinions? Is that gelcoat too?

My thinking on small deck size was that you are always hanging onto side, seats, bow box, etc. just to move around, so having alot of antislip might not be so necessary.

Thanks.

 

[ondarvr]

With gel coat you typically just use a roller, it adds a silght amount of non aggressive texture and hides defects.

Interlux is paint.

 

[Bonus Check]

When you put the Gel Coat down please post some before and after pictures. I may consider painting the FG coated plywood decking with gel coat if it looks decent. I could probably do that my self if it just rolls on.

 

[Woodonglass]

Rolling on gelcoat is very similar to Paint with the only exception being that it's a two part resin and it will "Kick" in about 20 mins so you want to only mix up enuf that you can get laid down in that amount of time or you will waste it.

 

[sphelps]

I played around with some gell and some porch screen .. I f you time it when it just starts to kick and pull the screen off you can get a bit of a texture ..

This was just gell rolled on . Not as shiny when dry and you must seal the gell or it does like to stain ..

 

[Bonus Check]

So what do you seal the gelcoat with to keep it from staining?

 

[Woodonglass]

Even if you wax it or seal it, it will still Stain. So will paint or any other finish coating material. Good/Timely Maintenance IS the Key!!!

 

[mrmike130s]

Went to visit Mickey last week. Walking in to "Star Tours" the walk ways had rubber flooring. As I was standing in the long line waiting to ride. I thought " This rubber floor would be nice in a boat."

http://www.kofflersales.com/p/johnsonite-roundel-raised-round-rubber-floor.asp?itemid=74972

Holds up to years of thousands of people walking on it. Just another option.

 

[Bonus Check]

Its over $11 per square foot in 2'X2' squares. That doesn't include glue and shipping. It better last a lifetime (and probably will) but could be an option but not for me.

 

[sphelps]

Another member Decker used this to seal his new gell . Shurhold Pro Polish ..

I made a mistake and left my boat under an oak tree over night and the oak leaves really did a number on the unsealed deck ..

 

[mrmike130s]

Its over $11 per square foot in 2'X2' squares. That doesn't include glue and shipping. It better last a lifetime (and probably will) but could be an option but not for me.

There are other rubber tiles and floor coverings. Just thought of a nice option.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

So what do you seal the gelcoat with to keep it from staining?

You dont..

Oh and Ondarvr is right.