Non-Skid Wood Floor ?

[ahnutts!]

I recently put new wood floors in my saloon and V berth. I finished them with spar varnish and would like the same look in my aft cabin. The problem is that a large portion of the floor is angled to accommodate the shape of the hull. So I am wondering if anyone has any experience with a non skid products that would give enough texture that I can safely walk on it, and still have the look of varnished wood?

Thanks
Jerin

[boatman61]

International Paints sell packs of anti slip grit for mixing in paint or varnish..

[simonmd]

Hmm, for something to look varnished it must be shinny and shinny means slippery. I think you may have to compromise a bit there.

There is an old trick I know for making non slip paint, simply add some sand to the mix to create a tough and rough non slip finish. I wonder if this would work with varnish?

[ahnutts!]

Originally Posted by simonmd

Hmm, for something to look varnished it must be shinny and shinny means slippery. I think you may have to compromise a bit there.

There is an old trick I know for making non slip paint, simply add some sand to the mix to create a tough and rough non slip finish. I wonder if this would work with varnish?

I was thinking along the same lines. There must be some kind of clear plastic "grit" that could be used in the same way.

[simonmd]

Sounds like Boatman and myself are thinking alike!

[DoubleWhisky]

Take a look at this page:
http://www.coelan.com/de/products/boat/index.html

[salient]

Mask 30mm wide strips. Topcoat varnish alternate strips and sprinkle or mix in microspheres. This way you get more shine. You will find the textured strip collect dirt but a soft nail brush and a bit of detergent works well

[ahnutts!]

Originally Posted by salient

Mask 30mm wide strips. Topcoat varnish alternate strips and sprinkle or mix in microspheres. This way you get more shine. You will find the textured strip collect dirt but a soft nail brush and a bit of detergent works well

Bingo.

Thank you all for your help

[cabo]

Bruce Bingham suggests using MODEL RAILROAD BALLAST. It is perfectly regular, fine, crystalline sand. It is sold in hobby shops. Paint the varnish on and while set sprinkle the sand on heavyily but evenly. It may require a second coat. Allow to dry for 24 hours. lightly vacumn off the excess and then apply a top coat. Do not walk on it for several days. It works.

[zeehag]

why not just use the stuff used on gym floors- sand in varnish?? OUCH
not in my boat--i donot varnish floors-- ye will die if you are a sailor. dock queen--yes, by all means--DO varnish,l not on a real sailor--you will slip and wish self dead when you break your back. look for the stuff used in schools for gymnasium floors.

besides, the sand will act as sandpaper on your teak and holly sole, thus requiring a replacement--have ye priced teak yet???? is it all the way to 100us dollars per board foot yet??? i guess is alll good if all ye have is money......

[bruce smith]

Sole, not floor.
I rough sand the wood sole, ( 40 grit) and give it 1 coat of cheap, one part poly var. It looks nice, easy to clean, non slip ,and easy to re-new .

[David M]

Do what surfboard makers do...do a sugar coat. Varnish the surface, sprinkle sugar on the wet varnish, then when it dries wash away the sugar and you will have a non-skid surface that is still somewhat transparent.

Do a test area first to see if you like it.

[clockwork orange]

A fairly common way is what Davis suggests except epson salts,works great. The microspheres in varnish works good too,we went that route with coelan just doing strategically places 2" dots and it stayed very clear. Another trick i did on my catamaran where i just wanted a few strips and wanted clear over the cream awlgrip was use clear griptape from the local skateboard shop.
Steve.

[bstreep]

Ultimate Sole used to be the product of choice, but they are gone. Others have reported good success with Gym Seal.

[s/v Jedi]

I have seen varnish work with sand that looked absolutely stunning !

The way to do it is to get the right sand (clean, not from beach or something... I've seen them use sand for bird cages when the paint store doesn't have any), then tape the areas where you want anti-slip (bars or bigger areas like one would do tread-master). Varnish these areas and scoop a very thick layer of sand on.. think 5/16" / 8mm. Rub it in a bit and let varnish (which is invisible now) dry. Then use a brush/broom to remove excess sand which can be used elsewhere. Now, varnish the whole floor so both the parts with the sand and the parts without. I can't think of a better looking method.

ciao!
Nick.