Prepping Tread on old Whaler

[Boonswaggala]

I am in the process of refinishing my 1971 13' Whaler. I want to repaint it inside and out. What would be the best way to prep the floor? It has a pattern made up of tiny squares that would be impossible to sand. Should I just pressure wash it and rinse it with acetone?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Prepping Tread on old Whaler

Ayuh,......

The only way to do it Right,......
Is Hand Sanding it...... It's the surface Abrasion that Holds the paint,.....

But,...... It's Your boat,........ Maybe your way will work...........

Btw,........

Welcome Aboard to the forums here at iboats.com,............

 

[Boonswaggala]

Re: Prepping Tread on old Whaler

It's kind of impossible to sand. It has a knurled texture, kind of like the grip on a Maglite flashlite, but with a larger texture. The squares on the pattern are about 1/8" in size. The only way to sand it would be to sand the texture down until its smooth. I'm hoping there is another alternative because that would be very time-consuming and impractible, IMO.

BTW, thanks for the welcome.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Prepping Tread on old Whaler

having same prob on mckee craft resto.same checkering.let us know what you did because im looking into painting or gel coating mine
thanks benny b

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Prepping Tread on old Whaler

A stiff wire brush will work to scuff the non skid surface, then use a good 2 part paint (they stick better) and it should hold up well. If you use gel coat, it will fill the surface pattern and become too smooth.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Prepping Tread on old Whaler

A stiff wire brush will work to scuff the non skid surface.

I have done this myself but not exactly on a boat. Or you could use a palm sander or a mouse sander, it might be a little easier then manually sanding it by hand. I have used both sanders on a couple of my boats and they work well. To clarify one thing I didn't use those sanders on that particular area that you are talking about but my boat isn't setup like yours. If you have access to a palm sander and decide to go this route, just make sure you have the right grit sand paper. After sanding then blow it out with an air gun from an air compressor, then if needed you could pressure wash it. As Bond-o said "It's the surface Abrasion that Holds the paint".

 

[wineand coffee]

Re: Prepping Tread on old Whaler

I repainted mine by just sanding the best that I could and used the solvent that they recomended, that was four years ago and it still looks great! I did use a two part paint. but i have seen it done on a egg harbor sport fish with bright side and it is used hard... and still looks great! the key is to get all the old wax and chem. out of the pourous finish, use a good bonding or etching primer or one the company reccomends. the mistake that I made was it is really slick now so make sure if you paint over antiskid make sure you put something back or you will end up on your backside (try explaining that you have not had one to many to people who saw you land on your butt from 15 feet away) I really like the interlux products. Another Brightside fan!!!!!