Spring cleaning the deck gets tougher every year as I get older. This year some of my diamond non-skid deck has black something deep in the groove. Makes it even tougher that it's difficult to see when the deck is wet or soap covered. I've lightly power washed with a small power washer staying well away from any deck fittings, helped but didn't get it all. So, before I start buying a variety of brushes and cleaners and spend hours scrubbing thought I'd ask the group, especially the sailors that have to deal with cleaning after a winter lay-up.
How do others clean the diamond and other non-skid? Type of brush? brand? cleaner? Any suggestions are welcome.
Jim
I use Star Brite non-skid cleaner and a deck brush. I'll use a stiffer hand brush on any areas that the softer deck brush didn't clean.
Jim,
It might be time to repaint the non-skid. I did mine a few years ago because the gelcoat was starting to show through in places, it turned out great.
Kevin- Details on paint/type/technique? Pics?
Noah
Besides the usual products (kiwi grip, et al) see the approach Neil used in his posts to this thread:
https://groups.io/g/Catalina30/message/106747
Neil is a sailor's sailor - he does every job 125% - he used to work for boat mfgrs. He's at Dana Pt.
Thx Ken- but I was wondering details on what Top Gun had done re: "painting" his nonskid deck, for everyone's benefit. Fortunately, my beige OEM nonskid is still holding up very well and looking good. A few chips/wear in the fine white nonskid pattern on cockpit seat that could use some gelcoat... but someday I will get around to it.
Noah,
I believe Interlux is what Catalina originally used when they finished the boats. I used Kingston Grey for my C34 and years ago when I repainted the deck of my C27 I used Grand Banks Beige, both were exact matches for what was originally on the decks. I believe you'll find the Grand Banks Beige a match for your boat.
I just added some Interlux Flattening Agent to knock down the shine and rollered it on, it looks like it was sprayed on. Believe me the difference between holding up well and a new coat of paint is eye popping!
Quote
Thx Ken- but I was wondering details on what Top Gun had done re: "painting" his nonskid deck, for everyone's benefit. Fortunately, my beige OEM nonskid is still holding up very well and looking good. A few chips/wear in the fine white nonskid pattern on cockpit seat that could use some gelcoat... but someday I will get around to it.
Gotcah Noah. Mea culpa (w/ the observation that merely painting a nonskid (not with a non-skid product) must reduce its safety somewhat. The virtually nonexistent skid-grip of my Catalina basketweave would be even further diminished.
As Neil D points out in his posts, the object of nonskid is safety, not aesthetics with a reduction of safety. JTSO.
Kevin—Interlux paint on Catalina OEM?? Are you sure the nonskid is not gelcoat? I would be surprised if it is/was paint?
Noah,
I'm certainly not an expert on Catalina construction methods but the color on my decks looked like paint that had faded and or was worn away. It may be that the original diamond non-skid decks were gelcoat but then it would seem an amazing coincidence that not one but two deck coatings on two different boats are exact matches with the Interlux beige and gray.
Ken,
By basketweave I assume you mean the seats in the cockpit, I can see where painting them could cause some problems because the pattern is so small. Mine are white gelcoat finish and since they don't get as weather beaten as the deck I left them alone. You're right painting a non-skid surface with paint right out of the can, for reasons of safety is not a good idea.
Interlux provides paint additives for various applications. While it's not it's designed purpose, adding flattening agent to the paint will make it grippier. If you really want to upgrade your non-skid you can add the Intergrip, which depending how much you add will provide super grip, if that's what you want. I've found paint with the flattener provides a safe, non slip surface that's at least as good as the original deck.
I have a swim platform I added to my transom, it's glassed plywood, so when I painted the top I used both flattener and Intergrip. Even when the surface is wet and soapy (showers) purchase is excellent.
FYI, I'm not an Interlux salesman, it's just a product that works well for me.
Kevin
I don't know which non-skid was used on the 34s so I wanted to use mine as the example.
My C30 deck non-skid is the Catalina basketweave pattern, which is essentially wishful thinking as far as meaningful safety/slip protection. see #317:
https://gibcoflexmold.com/pattern_type/female/?boat_manufacturer=catalina-yachts&post_types=patterns
The seats are a (SLIGHTLY) textured gelcoat, not the basketweave. I think they are #301.
The cockpit sole is also #317.
Someday I would like to redo it all (sans seats of course) as Neil D did in the link in my post.
Aside:
I don't know of Catalina (at least any 30s) finished with paint. AFAIK all were gelcoat (colored or white accordingly, even the boot stripes.)
Jim : Try some "Bar Keepers Friend" from the grocery store. It's a powder with occylic (sp) acid in it. You can also try "Fiberglass Stain Remover".
A thought
I second Ron's suggestion. Both Bar Keepers Friend and FSR (Fiberglass Stain Remover) are great products and worth storing onboard.
Jim,
I had the same problem you've got, I couldn't seem to get the grooves in certain places clean. I thought it was dirt or mold or both, on closer examination the surface finish (whatever it was) was going away, it was the gelcoat starting to show through. That's when I decided to paint or repaint the decks.
Ken,
I believe the C34 has the large diamond plate pattern, which provides an excellent as is non-skid surface.
As I said before, I don't know how the factory finished the decks, but in the slip next to mine is a near new C350 with factory finished gray decks and after I painted mine, by comparasion you can't tell them apart. I really don't see your concern with repainting the decks since Interlux is a high quality marine finish designed for just this purpose.
Also while your friend Neil's surface treatment turned out beautifully and I'm sure provides excellent purchase, it doesn't look like it would be very bare foot friendly.
Quote from: scgunner on May 26, 2021, 10:51:27 AM
Ken,
I believe the C34 has the large diamond plate pattern, which provides an excellent as is non-skid surface.
If that's the case then I wish I had that pattern!!! I probably wouldn't need to redo mine. The underneath isn't showing through except for one tiny corner - no big deal - it just isn't safe, and there is one spot I semi-repaired where I moved some hardware. I got the color very close but the finish looks unprofessional at best.
Quote from: scgunner on May 26, 2021, 10:51:27 AM
I really don't see your concern with repainting the decks since Interlux is a high quality marine finish designed for just this purpose.
Also while your friend Neil's surface treatment turned out beautifully and I'm sure provides excellent purchase, it doesn't look like it would be very bare foot friendly.
I don't recall saying I had a concern about painting a deck in general - I didn't intend to imply that. Only painting
non-skid ("
out of the can" as you said.) Renewing non-skid is different than just rolling on Interlux, which, as you pointed out will fill nooks and crannies and lessen the safety function.
On ND's non-skid, my point was to show an alternative to non-skid (paint) treatments by rolling on gel cost, not his choice of the finish. As he explained, it's adjustable by sanding the finished gel coat texture to one's preference (which he did, and I suppose also by which roller one uses?) His is a bit too road-rash for my taste as well. Nevertheless, I got drummed into my bean during several ASA and CSA certifications that it's unsafe to go forward w/o footwear. And I don't permit anyone else on the boat to do so either.
What I can't wrap my brain around is, if the CTY pattern is diamond, how could it be applied as a paint (not be colored gel coat)? Non-slip color aside -- I randomly picked up a rattle can off the self in Home Depot and found that it matches my inside liner exactly (yet I know that CTY didn't paint the inside of the boat.)
Ken,
While you didn't actually say you had concerns about refinishing the deck with Interlux and additives, it sure seems like you're got reservations about the viability of the process.
If I felt, as you do, that my decks were unsafe (slippery) that's something I would have remedied right away and not allow that condition to remain just because the decks looked good. As your friend Neil points out the object of non-skid is safety, not aesthetics.
Quote from: scgunner on May 28, 2021, 09:46:42 AM
about refinishing the deck with Interlux and additives, it sure seems like you're got reservations about the viability of the process.
Again, I never commented on the viability of painting "the deck" (only "non-skid.")
I'm still unclear as to what you did. The procedure dances around "painting the deck", "adding flattener," "interlux intergrip," "painting the non-skid" -- but I'm still unclear what was used on the non-skid vs. used on the deck. I surmise that the same product was used everywhere, which IMO is improper (as you agreed - paint alone (no intergrip) can lessen the no-slip property.)
YBYC on whatever anyone wants to use but (so there's no misunderstanding about what may or may not have been inferred from prior replies) IMO:
Renewing non-skid w/ Interlux w/ a non-skid additive like intergrip (not just flattener to de-gloss it) OR ANY reliable non-skid product/method = no issue.
Renewing the deck w/ Interlux out of the can (or deglossed) = no issue (I addressed deck painting only to the point that I do not know that CTY painted any decks or non-skid.)
Covering non-skid by paint out of the can, even deglossed = not a good idea.
I have no opinion on painting the deck outside of the non-skid.
'nuff said, I no more of substance I can add to the merry-go-round.
Quote from: KWKloeber on May 28, 2021, 12:16:33 PM
Again, I never commented on the viability of painting "the deck" (only "non-skid.") ......................
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I have no opinion on painting the deck outside of the non-skid.
Ken,
One of the peculiarities of the C34, at least the Mark I that I own, is that non-skid IS the deck: non-skid is on top of the cabin, on the side decks and in the cockpit. Mine is tan, others are grey.
The only really small stuff you mentioned earlier is on the coamings and cockpit seats.
Guys : In my opinion painting the deck anti skid is just like varnishing the companion way steps!! You might as well wear smooth leather soled "boat shoes"! :shock:
As mentioned the deck of the C34 IS antiskid cockpit to the bow!! So best be VERY careful what you are painting on the top side!!
A few thoughts
Stu
Thanks for the description. I chartered a MK-I and IIRC it's very similar to my mk-I (which I'd say is 80-90% n-s.) Maybe semantics but I consider the non, n-s deck areas to be the (white gel coat) strips I have outside the (gray) n-s, strips around each area of n-s, and places like stanchion bases, along the toe, around the anchor locker cover, etc., that are all smooth gel coat. And of course if I were painting, the coachroof sides.
I wouldn't apply a n-s product on those (white) areas no more than I'd paint the gray n-s areas.
K
I had my 2002 MK2 detailed and polished by my boat yard. Hull and decks look like new. They used ROLL OFF on the non-skid.
Technician recommended cleaning non-skid with STARBRITE non-skid deck cleaner, which claims to leave a non-slippery protective polymer coating.
Ken,
Since the title of the thread is "scrubbing diamond non-skid decking" the terms "deck" and "non-skid" have been used interchangeably, no one mentioned painting the white gelcoat deck borders. The only one who seems confused about that is you.
I'm not sure how you got "dances around painting the deck", if you review my reply #9, it's a fairly straightforward explanation of how and why to use Interlux and it's additives. It seems pretty clear by your posts that you disapprove of my method of refinishing the decks, which is fine, your boat, your choice, this is mine. I will say this finish is safe and has held up well for years, and appearance wise you can't tell it from the factory finish.
To be crystal clear, folks this isn't about what anyone HAS already done to his/her boat.
It's about recommendations relative to what OTHERS may contemplate doing to their boats.
Ron's recommendation is infinitely more succinct than I could ever be.