Painting floor instead of carpet?

[robbankston]

So now that I have rebuild the stringers, floor, and foam. I was thinking instead of nasty carpet, I'd just like to paint the floor. Any tips from the pros?

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

not a "pro" but just had great results using low gloss imron paint with interlux intergrip non-skid additive. applied with a roller (and brush) so you can be plenty safe using a particulat / organic vapor respirator. I like the interlux non-skid because it is little plastic spheres that fill with paint and don't have any color of their own. When they wear you don't see a color difference. I've also used them with spar farnish over wood with good results. Great on bare feet, etc... Imron has gotten a lot cheaper since it is "old technology", but it is still tough as nails and can be had in a variety of colors.

I've also used carpet, walnut shells (liked this texture, but it turns a little dark in wear patterns), and several of the other rubber based non-skids in other paints. On a tight budget, fine walnut hull blasting media and rustoleum work great and we liked them better than the expensive tuffkote rubber containing polyurethane...

anyhow.. hope this is helpful

 

[robbankston]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

not a "pro" but just had great results using low gloss imron paint with interlux intergrip non-skid additive. applied with a roller (and brush) so you can be plenty safe using a particulat / organic vapor respirator. I like the interlux non-skid because it is little plastic spheres that fill with paint and don't have any color of their own. When they wear you don't see a color difference. I've also used them with spar farnish over wood with good results. Great on bare feet, etc... Imron has gotten a lot cheaper since it is "old technology", but it is still tough as nails and can be had in a variety of colors.

I've also used carpet, walnut shells (liked this texture, but it turns a little dark in wear patterns), and several of the other rubber based non-skids in other paints. On a tight budget, fine walnut hull blasting media and rustoleum work great and we liked them better than the expensive tuffkote rubber containing polyurethane...

anyhow.. hope this is helpful

Very helpful. Fine walnut hull blasting media?

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

yes, you can get it by the 25 pounds (or hopefully smaller from other places). It's crushed walnut shells (somewhat rounded, not sharp), that is used as a gentle blasting media instead of say sand fo sandblasting... to use, you tape off the area you want to have the non-skid surface, put a fairly heavy coat of paint down, and sprinkle a layer of the crushed hulls on it. when it's dry, vacuum it up and paint another coat or two over the top. I actually used thinned epoxy for the first coat. It made it a lot tougher I think.

here, i had a couple of different sizes... Thes came from harbor freight here in town, but i'm sure you can order them from a variety of places if you do some looking on the web...

 

[brownridge]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

Have you considered a vinyl floor. I recenlty installed a non-slip nubby vinyl floor that I purchased from one of those large outdoor stores with mountains in the middle of the store. The floor was easy to install, comes in a variety of colors, easy to clean and has lasted many many years on my father's boat. I used a vinyl adhesive that is made for outdorr aplications.

 

[Les Robb]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

Please understand this is just an opinion and in no way am I telling you this is the best. Check out and try to get a sample of Nautoflex vinyl floor covering as a possibility. Pluses include multiple color schemes although the store here only stocks a brown shade, it a good mottled or rough whatever non skid surface, it's waterpoof and adds additional protection to deck, and it cleans up with minimum amout of hosing. It isn't as cheap as paint but if you use just paint, I wonder about the non skid character of the finish. Of course you could sprinkle it with some substance for traction and the good part is the color would be perfect cause it was what you wanted. Course if your final glass job was as rough as mine you may be non-skid already, and if you don't like the paint finish you could still cover it with the vinyl.

The only advantage to carpet I can see is noise abatement and it will hide the worst of imperfections in a less than perfect deck. Oh by the way, in no way does it resemble the kitchen tile shown in a previous post. It's a flexible vinyl with a cloth backing designed to be glued to the deck,

 

[redfury]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

Another product you can use is called "shark grip". It's a fine white powder that adds a texture to the surface. It's very fine, but course enough to get grip on. I used it with polyurethane on a flight of stairs for a grocery store. You can either paint, and shake it on the wet paint with a salt shaker, or you can mix it and roll it on the areas you want to have the non grip.

 

[robbankston]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

Any recommendations on types of paint that work best for a fiberglass deck? I definitely plan to put something down that helps with skid, but I was wondering what kind of paint would work well. I was also wondering if any of you guys have opinions on carpet versus paint. I guess carpet would hide the flaws in the new deck, but sheesh that stuff gets nasty, dirty, and wet.

 

[robbankston]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

Any recommendations on types of paint that work best for a fiberglass deck? I definitely plan to put something down that helps with skid, but I was wondering what kind of paint would work well. I was also wondering if any of you guys have opinions on carpet versus paint. I guess carpet would hide the flaws in the new deck, but sheesh that stuff gets nasty, dirty, and wet.

Oh and many thanks for all the advice so far.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

imron low gloss paint from napa. the interlux plastric non skid is just about right on the feet and won't abraid anything, takes only a small amount of it.

I originally had carpet and took it out when rebuilding. like carpet better and may go ewoith snap in at somepoint, but regular carpet just doesn;t dry...

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

Any recommendations on types of paint that work best for a fiberglass deck? I definitely plan to put something down that helps with skid, but I was wondering what kind of paint would work well. I was also wondering if any of you guys have opinions on carpet versus paint. I guess carpet would hide the flaws in the new deck, but sheesh that stuff gets nasty, dirty, and wet.

im in the middle of painting mine now... have the first coat on, and im having mixed emotions. i think it looks okay, paint wise. but the problem is now i can see EVERY imperfection with my glassing job.

I DO NOT want to put carpet, so i may go with the paint for a while then add vinyl floor.

i used porch paint with a non slip additive.

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

Take a look at my thread and resto, I used a product called Durabak, made for the marine industry and it is a rubberized soft on bare feet non skid material that is quite chemical resistant once cured and as it ends up about 1/16" thick hid my floor imperfections well

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

Take a look at my thread and resto, I used a product called Durabak, made for the marine industry and it is a rubberized soft on bare feet non skid material that is quite chemical resistant once cured and as it ends up about 1/16" thick hid my floor imperfections well

if mine doesnt turn out as planned, i may help increase durabak's stock prices...

 

[chrishayes]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

if mine doesnt turn out as planned, i may help increase durabak's stock prices...

I am right there with you.

 

[robbankston]

Re: Painting floor instead of carpet?

I am right there with you.

Looks like I'll need to check it out also.