Sanding non-skid

[alaska_av8r]

This is probably a stupid question but here goes.

I am sanding my boat preparing to prime it then paint it. It is a Cruisers and on the deck it has a non-skid diamond pattern in various places. How do I clean/sand the grooves......or should I bother and just clean it?

thanks

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Sanding non-skid

Use a stiff wire brush to scrub them and the paint will stick.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Sanding non-skid

I'd be a tad bit careful with the wire brush. If you get really aggressive with it there might be some gouges put in the gel coat you don't want. The brush theory is good - and it does work great - just go with a softer bronze brush.
Besides the steel will leave black marks on the glass that will have to be cleaned before you paint. Another thought would be using a green Scotch Brite pad with a fiberglass friendly cleaning solution. TSP comes to mind among others. Make sure all is completely rinsed very well. Even a good scrubbing with a stiff yellow brush and plain water won't hurt a thing. It's all in the prep.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Sanding non-skid

You actually need to be agressive with the wire brush, otherwise it won't abrade the low areas between the diamonds and scratching the gel coat is the goal. You won't see any scratches because it's a non skid surface, so unless you wire brush areas without non skid, you'll never see any.

You can use a brass or bronze wire brush, but they tend to be softer and don't abraid the surface nearly as well. The surface will be cleaned before painting, so any marks (if any) from the wire will be removed at that time.

Don't use steel wool, small particles of steel will come off and can leave rust spots.

Scotch brite pads will work on smooth surfaces, but since this is a non skid it will only sand the tops, just like sand paper. If you use a cleaner, it's better to use a non friendly to fiberglass product, most of these, like Comet, use abrasive particles (which is what makes them non friendly), some have non friendly chemicals, but not many. A yellow bristle brush is great for cleaning, but is too kind to the surface to help with bonding.

 

[alaska_av8r]

Re: Sanding non-skid

thanks for all of the input guys, looks like I will have to buy me a new wire brush, my old one is full of grease.