Anyone sanded off/removed Kiwigrip?

[Zach]

Hi Guys,

I have not used Kiwigrip before, but I am pondering using it on my boat.


I'm curious if it is a total pain to remove from a surface later down the line? Is it an 80 grit DA type removal, or does it take a coarser grit to get it off? Can it be scraped off with a chisel at the fiberglass/gelcoat level?

Thanks,

Zach

[senormechanico]

I put on Kiwigrip and haven't had to remove any, but getting rid of the original padded foam nonskid in our cockpit was anticipated to be a royal PITA.
It turned out to be relatively easy with one of these:

Electric Power Multi Function Vibrating Power Sander Cutter Offset Saw Tool Kit | eBay



Since purchasing one a few years ago, I've used it for a whole bunch of imaginative cuts in tight spaces.

[Zach]

Indeed, those oscillating tools do what nothing else can do. Sometimes they don't do all of it, but it sure beats a pop sickle stick and sandpaper for inside corners.

In the other realm of difficult nonskid, I had the job of removing garnet blasting dust in a rubber mastic paint off a 90 footer. That was one of the few times I've seen something abrade a grinding disc, more than the grinding disc abrade the surface... Ever since I've been gun shy of non-skid that is tough to remove!

[Lepke]

An air chisel with a with a wide blade has been the best for me, the above multi tool with the right blade works but is slower, and a large grinder with the coarsest sanding disk you can find. Sometimes the sanding disk of lighter grit will work under non skid and lift it. All of it depends on how old and brittle the old non skid is.
I prefer the old coarse sand and paint non skid. It last longer, but is tough on shoe soles and bare feet.

[deblen]

KiwiGrip | FAQ's

[Dave_S]

I had to remove a large area under an anchor chain mat, maybe a sq metre. I ended up with abrasive pads on an angle grinder, worked a treat. I used 40 grit but I'm sure 80 would work too.

P.s. they were metal cutting discs on a flex plate and didn't cut though the gel coat.

Also I was replacing the mat because it was old and the quick grip was letting go in places.

[tfrank]

I took off a Durabak coating with a pressure washer. Worked well but don't get it close to the teak trim.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

I had to remove a large area under an anchor chain mat, maybe a sq metre. I ended up with abrasive pads on an angle grinder, worked a treat. I used 40 grit but I'm sure 80 would work too.

P.s. they were metal cutting discs on a flex plate and didn't cut though the gel coat.

Also I was replacing the mat because it was old and the quick grip was letting go in places.

I should point out that it could have done easily, just that it was quite controllable and I didn't go outside the lines :-)