Maintaining Non-skid surfaces

Petar · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010

My 1986 Freedom 36 has pretty good gelcoat on top decks and in cockpit and with some 3M compounding and wax I am able to maintain it in petty good shape. Non skid surfaces have a very good pattern ( I believe it was originally painted when boat was built as it i grey color) but have faded/dulled somewhat over the years and while the grip/non skid properties are still good it looks a bit shabby. What sort of treatment I can give it to improve the looks of it and maintain the grip/non-skid property at same time?

mitiempo · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010

Paint it with Kiwi Grip or Interlux Interdeck.

CLucas · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010

If you're not looking to paint it, take a look at Woody Wax Non-Skid Deck Wax (http://www.woody-wax.com/). Follow the directions, but note that it's *very* slick until it dries, after which the non-skid grips as it did before. Pretty good stuff, IMO, and easy to apply. Of course, regular wax is a no-no on non-skid.

CapTim · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010

I'd agree.. I don't really know of any effective techniques for 'polishing' old anti-skid. If you are a gelcoat expert, and have a stamp/mold to work with, and are amazingly patient and lucky.. maybe.. but even flat gelcoat is a pain over large areas.

Kiwi Grip, on the other hand, is amazing stuff. Vastly superior to awlgrip or interlux products, no contest. And less expensive than both, to boot.

mitiempo · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010

Kiwi Grip also covers very well.