Non-Skid Varnish

[cabo_sailor]

I have friend that heard about using polyurethane mixed with a little linseed oil to make non-skid finish for his cabin sole. Has anyone heard of this and if so what is the formula?

Rich

[Cheechako]

Not heard of that, but adding non skid granules, sand etc to poly or varnish works well.

[cabo_sailor]

He is thinking more like the finish on a basketball court. But they won't sell that in less than 5 gal amounts. I admit that I'm interested as well since my cabin sole could use a bit of refinishing. Ultimate- sole worked well but is no longer available.

[thinwater]

Try salting the varnish: traditional and very effective. Basically you build up as many coats as you like, and on the last coat you sprinkle on salt. A sea salt grinder works well. after drying, wash the salt away, leaving a non-skid finish. One advantage of this method is that it is very easy to refinish (there is no additive or grit mixed into to complicate sanding). You can mask the last coat if you want certain areas gloss. Use very find salt and less of it for a less aggressive surface.

Small Boat Projects - Making Life Aboard Easier: How to: Salt varnish

Sail Delmarva: Runt Steps

[Sailormantx]

+1 on the non skid particles. I purchases some for the deck, but it was a very fine powder that was not aggressive enough for the deck. Tried some mixed with satin varnish and it is nearly invisible to the eye, so I did the removable floorboards as a test. It was a huge improvement, my cabin sole was very slick when wet. I will be doing the rest of the cabin sole with it soon.

[mariner36bob]

'nother recommendation for salt varnish. Much easy to touch up or maintain. Sands flat in a few strokes and "pattern" replicates easy.

Easy to do in strips a few inches apart etc, or just key locations.

Tell him to look into Fabulon for floor product. Comes in 1 gallon

[cabo_sailor]

My friend, who owns a Morgan 38 at my marina, became impatient. He bought a can of polyurethane the hardware store and added 1 tablespoon of linseed oil. He tried it out up by the v-berth in a small area last night. Today, it is dry, shiny, and according to him, non-skid. He plans to do the rest of his cabin sole the same way although he thinks he would add 2 tablespoons of linseed oil.

Since I could use a refinish on my cabin sole, I'll take a look. If it is as he describes I'll probably do the same. In any event he is quite pleased.

Rich

[AnchorageGuy]

You can buy Fabulon floor finish which is used in bowling alleys in gallon containers. Buy the original finish. We love the stuff. Fabulon Hard Wood Floor Finish, Fabulon Polyurethane, Fabulon Products . Chuck

[thinwater]

Salt also works well with many paints. I've not been able to see any difference in durability. Much less likely to damage clothes or gear than salt, and easier to refinish.

[Scott Berg]

I like the basketball court approach myself... We like

http://www.parish-supply.com/gym-flo...sh-system.aspx

[cabo_sailor]

The guy I mentioned took a picture of his cabin sole. One quart od Minwax High Gloss Polyurethane mixed with two tablespoons of linseed oil. One coat applied with a Gen Poly brush. Hi gloss and non-skid. He's very pleased.

Rich

[thinwater]

The thing to remember is the basket ball courts are only non-skid when dry. A sweaty player falls and suddenly the key is like grease. Such a product will be fine in the cabin, but around the steps you will want something more aggressive.

[mikereed100]

Sugar can be used as well. Apply the same as salt as outlined in Thinwater's post. A roughened surface will be a lot more secure when wet or when navigating in stockinged feet.

[AnchorageGuy]

I can understand using a non skid grit for steps, but I sure wouldn't want a gritty finish on my cabin soles. We usually are in bare feet inside the cabin. In 50 years of boating I can't say that I have ever had a problem in the cabin with sliding around on my feet. If I'm in and out, I always have boat shoes on, stubbing toes on deck are not my favorite. If the boat is rolling around, I have boat shoes on. If it's rolling around so bad at anchor that I might slip, it's time to find another anchorage. Chuck