What would be your ultimate deck coating?

[mentalfee]

As many of you know I am in the middle of a large deck recoring. This will include "painting" the coach house and deck. I have been posting pictures to a different thread and will have a new series by the end of the week.

Question to all of you. What would be your ultimate fiberglass coating? We are dog owners so the compound must be very abrasion resistant. The Sterling LP which was on the coach house before did not last long in my opinion.

I am considering using all white Zolatone as a base coat and then marking out the non skid with either Durabak or Kiwi Grip.

Has anybody used Zolatone? I know Durabak and Kiwi Grip have been discussed at length.

Thanks
Chris

[Sailormann]

I think you would do well to contact the Zolatone people and ask them how it will stand up to constant UV exposure. Most people use Awlgrip because of this issue.

It would be a shame to put all that time, effort and money into something that is going to look bad in just a couple of seasons.

[Sapperwhite]

"What would be your ultimate deck coating?"

Kryptonite

[Lancer28]

I used garage epoxy paint with sand mixed in it for my racing dinghy. Worked stellar, but the grey I chose was too hot in the sun. It never chipped or flaked off.

HOWEVER, I know what NOT to use. Single stage interlux white paint comes off easier than it goes on. I covered the epoxy with it this summer and it looked horrid.

[Lancer28]

oh - cost was about $25 a gallon with the special sand.

[killarney_sailor]

I used Signature Finish and did the non-skid in light gray with off-white in other areas. Easy to put-on and stands up very well.

Two secrets that would apply to any product are the right brush for no-skid - a stucco brush cut to half length and automotive vinyl masking tape. It is expensive but gives a terrific edge.

[the1much]

awl-grip stands up longer,,keeps its color longer, better uv protection, and is stronger then gel-coat. then mix that in with your non-skid and you'll have the longest lasting paint job for the buck.( its expensive tho)

[mentalfee]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I believe I will be using Awlgrip for the cabin top and waterways. The jury is still out on the non skid but Kiwi grip has a solid lead. I hope to see a few boats with it applied before I commit.

Thanks
Chris

[sailingdog]

I would use Awlcraft rather than awlgrip since it is far easier to maintain and repair. If you get a scratch in the Awlgrip, it is very difficult to fix, with Awlcraft, that isn't the case.

[the1much]

awl-grip also has non-skid particles called griptex :73012 and 73013
and if you get a scratch in awl-grip,, ya grab ya paint, mix in small cup,,take small brush, brush on,, wait a week and wet-sand and buff,,,is there something in awl-craft that makes it easier then that?, that i dont know bout,,,, i hate it when everyone leaves me in the dark lol