Treadmaster removal

[k1vsk]

anyone ever remove Treadmaster from their deck? It would seem to be simple being relatively flexible material but the epoxy creates other issues. I'd be interested in anyone's experience, thanks

[tdw]

Originally Posted by k1vsk

anyone ever remove Treadmaster from their deck? It would seem to be simple being relatively flexible material but the epoxy creates other issues. I'd be interested in anyone's experience, thanks

I asked this question a few months back either here or on the Metal Boat Society forum and the answer that came back was 'angle grinder'. I was also advised to stear clear of of dark shades particularly grey as it gets very hot under foot.

Since then I've been upgrading other parts of the old girl and havn't yet got around to redoing the treadmaster so can't advise whether the advice was good or not. Below is the link to the original thread.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...ht=treadmaster

[NOLAsailing]

I took it off of my boat. Angle grinding is definitely the hard way. I tried that and a belt sander and the path of least resistance is not through the stuff.

I had far better luck using chisels and a flat paint scraper at a very low angle. I found an edge or corner that would allow me to hammer the tool in. Once the Treadmaster is lifted from the deck, it easily tears off in small sections. Those tears create new edges that are easy to work a chisel under.

I had two sections at the base of the mast. I was able to get both removed in under an hour. The only damage to the deck was one area where I got too aggressive with the chisel. The residual epoxy was easily removed with a DA sander.

I then used Interlux Interdeck (great stuff) to renew the nonskid on the whole boat.

Before and after: