Preparing Deck for Resurfacing

[alanfw]

I'm getting closer to putting a new coat on the deck. Before I can start I need advice on what to use and how to prepare the surface.

Most of the deck has a good non-slip texture. It has been painted at least once since it was built, but I have no idea what it was done with. That surface is getting chalky in places. I can easily sand back the untextured parts of the deck, but how do you prepare the texture?

As for material, I was thinking of a 2 pack polyurethane - Northane has the colour I want available off the shelf. But how should I apply it? Can you get a good finish with a brush? Or should I look at using something other than the polyurethane?

I've added pictures of the boat and deck surface for reference..

Cheers.

[tkeithlu]

Hmmm. You can get good adhesion to your deck if you prep with 320 or coarser grip sandpaper, but be careful - the knobby surface lets water disperse so that you don't get a boat/water/shoe sandwich and hydroplane over the side. You want to preserve it. Then I'd recommend a non-skid urethane such as this stuff:

https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...xoCNK4QAvD_BwE

Tape it, roll it with a low knap roller kept fairly dry, do two coats, and go sailing.

Advice above my pay grade is going to require a paint pro.

[alanfw]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

Hmmm. You can get good adhesion to your deck if you prep with 320 or coarser grip sandpaper.
....

I'll definitely be doing that on the flat sections, but I was afraid it won't work on the texture - it's a pretty deep surface. I'm hoping a thorough pressure spray will suffice... ? The last thing I want is to simply take the top off leaving a smooth flat surface. (At the moment it's got great grip - so much so that it's taken the skin off the end of my big toe!)

[alanfw]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

...Then I'd recommend a non-skid urethane such as this stuff:

https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...xoCNK4QAvD_BwE
...

That looks good and easy! A single pack urethane would definitely be simpler. Does it provide as good a finish as 2 pack? I've used both in repairing a friend's paddle ski and it seemed the 2 pack went on smoother (but maybe it was due to the cheap brush I was using).

[MicHughV]

You can buy non-slip grit at any marine store.
Paint the checkered surface, sprinkle on the grit, and cover with one more coat of paint.

[Benz]

The existing texture looks like it's molded into the gelcoat. If you want it to be grippy again, you'll have to add texture. As long as you're doing that, you might as well sand the old texture off, prime, and apply a topcoat with texture added, so it doesn't look like you just sloshed something new over old texture. I like Griptex in Awlgrip, but boy, it's eye-waterringly expensive these days.