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Mikado · 06-02-2017, 17:16

Hello CF,

I have been going round and round on painting my topsides. I initially purchased Awl Grip but couldn't find anyone comfortable with applying it here in central Florida. I then purchased single part Total Boat polyurethane after reading some great reviews.

A friend of mine insists that I should be creative and consider the urethane spray on bed liner material as an alternative.

Let me give you a little more information as to why I am considering this..........

My long term goal is to start a day charter business in SF Bay. The no skid and durability makes a lot of sense....less worrying about someone slipping and falling as well as concern as to the customers footwear.

20 year warranty (some brands)

Custom colors available.

You can thin out the material and apply by spray, brush or roller to achieve a smoother finish.

1/2 of my decks are teak, so only 1/2 would get painted, and half of that is non skid.

So finally my question to you...........has anyone ever considered or actually tried this material -vs- topside paint? I would love to hear any feedback positive and negative.

Thanks!!

Jeff

mikereed100 · 06-02-2017, 17:30

I used Durabak for the cockpit and, while it was excellent non-skid, we ended up having to scrape it off and do it over with Brightside. Thing is, the white paint soaked up dirt like a sponge and would not give it up. A darker color would likely be fine.

Paul L · 06-02-2017, 17:30

Got a link to the 20 year warranty that covers marine applications?

AmericanVagrant · 06-02-2017, 17:40

I believe the best solution is for you to roll-on either the AwlGrip or Total Boat yourself, or hire "unskilled" labor at an hourly rate and direct them. Read about the process/watch videos to get comfortable with the procedure. I'm surprised no one you contacted felt comfortable doing it...these are DIY products.

I did a quick search and it sounds like some people are using bed liners: Roll on rhino lining on boat floor????

crooks · 06-02-2017, 17:45

There is a thread on sailnet where a guy regrets using Durabak. Practical Sailor reviewed it and downgraded their original assessment.

**a64pilot** · 06-02-2017, 17:53

Shrimp boats and other commercial craft have been using Rhio lining for years, but last I knew it you could have it in any color you wanted as long as it was black and it I had to be professionally applied, real Rhio liner can't be rolled on.
Things may have changed though, many other truck bed liners out there, but all I have experience with are a little slippery when wet, where Rhio is very rubbery. Looks like Hell but its great on a shrimp boat.

Boatguy30 · 06-02-2017, 17:57

I can help you do a better looking awlgrip job than that bedliner would ever look.

jeepbluetj · 06-02-2017, 18:56

Definitely do not use Duraback. It's _very_ rough. I've used it plenty on jeep projects.
I would not be able to walk on it barefoot, nobody would sit on it, etc...

Plenty of other products for the job that are better.

Raven Odyssey · 07-02-2017, 08:59

If you want an easy and very durable product to apply, go with KiwiGrip. I did the decks of my 52' Nauticat over 4 years ago, and they're still like new!

sailortype · 07-02-2017, 09:00

point of order... decks are decks.
Topsides are something else entirely.

Scout 30 · 07-02-2017, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailortype

point of order... decks are decks.
Topsides are something else entirely.

One of my pet peeves. Topsides are the hull from the waterline to the gunwale.

sailortype · 07-02-2017, 09:14

yes exactly... seems to be a common misconception.
Once traveled several hundred miles to look at an older Tartan in Norfolk, the BROKER had told me the topsides had been painted with awlgrip which I thought would be a good thing. Got there to find it was the decks that had been painted... badly... with what appeared to be a large stain brush :-|
(yes, did not do enough homework! )

Scout 30 · 07-02-2017, 09:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailortype

yes exactly... seems to be a common misconception.
Once traveled several hundred miles to look at an older Tartan in Norfolk, the BROKER had told me the topsides had been painted with awlgrip which I thought would be a good thing. Got there to find it was the decks that had been painted... badly... with what appeared to be a large stain brush :-|
(yes, did not do enough homework! )

I had this same problem with a professional boat painter at a marina. It took a while before I realized he was quoting me a price to paint the decks instead of the hull. It is surprising that most boaters don't understand this.

Scout 30 · 07-02-2017, 09:23

Another product you might consider is Tuff Coat. It's supposed to cover cracks & imperfections without having to repair them first.

Tuff Coat Rubberized Non Skid Coating | Anti Skid Coating