non skid

[beau]

I used a silica sand on top of wet paint in some areas when we first painted the boat.
We have found it too sharp and brutal.
I now want to do the top of the pontoon floats with something not quite so harsh. I have seen a non skid finish where I am told sugar was used over the wet paint, the sugar was dissolved out later . Has anyone had experience with this method and how exactly is it done.

[Alan Wheeler]

Yes it can be done with sugar or salt. But I don't like either. It traps too much dirt. There are some good non skid coatings available that self texture as you apply them. I use a product called tread-grip. Had a great run with it. Water based and I buy white and then tint it to the colour I want.

[Wotname]

Same as Wheels, use Tredgrip, available in Bris. http://www.spacepac.com.au/Brochures...ete_2Pg_NP.pdf
After using many various marine nonskid products, I am happiest with Tredgrip.

[hooked on water]

I used to do alot of these coating for a crust
you need a good binding coating of epoxy or urethane as the base agent and then pick your grit you wish to use
you can use marble dust, glass spheres, aluminium oxide or graphite particles
the aluminium oxide and graphite are available graded to chose the level of grit you want - the graphite is like that sticky non slip tape surface
the best for easy on the feet is to get the smaller particle of aluminium oxide - as it is a white like product will not be as visible in your coating
most of the dedicated coatings use a marble dust mix
all of these when rough will make an area that is awkward to clean due to dirt grabbing in the gaps, and needs to be cleaned with a broom and detergent to soften the water used in the cleaning.
and if the grit is too grippy or sharp - love these technical terms, just give another coat (light) over the top with the base coating alone
hope this helps
I can help you with where to get the powders also here in aus
hooked

[Boracay]

I have just ordered and received four litres of Easytread from Phoenix Paints in WA(That's Western Australia to those geographically challenged).

The Post Office was surprised to see a four litre can in my mail.

I have not opened the can yet.

My wife says that she wants to paint next weekend (!!!!!!!!!!!!!) so I might get to see what its really like.

[hooked on water]

Boracay
I bet they were surprised
I will look at the specs and let you know what it looks like to me compared with others I have used
have not used this one before
Good luck, and if you want any advice on application hints, ask and I will Pm you
cheers
Hooked

[Brent Swain]

Use beach sand . It's finer and rounder, but doesn't wear smooth like some commercial non skid does.Paint the surface, then sprinkle it on with a salt shaker, then paint it again.

[hooked on water]

just make sure you use washed beach sand or the contamination may affect the coating itself or the bonding to the coating.
Contamination with any coating is a very big problem
cheers
hooked

[David M]

Awlgrip has a non-skid for doing exactly this. The coarse feels like around 60 grit and the fine feels like around 100 grit. I had the 60 grit done on my deck but it is too coarse, it makes it hard to get all the dirt off plus its hard on the knees when wearing shorts. I wish I had gone with the finer grit. It seems about right.

Surfboard and sailboard makers sometimes do a sugar coat, which is exactly that.

[hooked on water]

You just need to scrub it using a ph neutral detergent and brush and rinse prior to it redrying on the surface, towel off by padding it down and give a light recoat to bring down the grit level
need to roughen also a bit to make it bond
but if you do that it gives alot lower grip and alot easier to clean
hooked