Refinishing the Non-Skid surface of the deck

 Part II of Refinishing the Non-Skid on Eximius' Deck

I originally ordered the materials for refinishing the Non-Skid decking on Eximius back in 2021 but life got in the way to get the job done. In 2023 I got started by removing the Anchor Locker Lids, bringing them home and refinishing them in my garage so that I could get comfortable with the process.

Here's a link to the original post

This year I'm determined to get the job done and started this week - July 31st 2024.

Step one was to put the boat shade covers over the deck hoping to reduce the temperature of the surface, then it was time to prep the Turtle Hatch cover ( the cover that goes over the Companionway Hatch ) as I did when I worked on the Anchor Locker Lids ( try saying that quickly ).

After cleaning it I taped it off trying my best to make the rounded corners neat. I applied the tape so that it was just outside the edge of the Non-Skid gray finish. A final clean after using the 3m sanding pad to prep the surface I was ready to apply the first coat of Primer.

I mixed just a little less primer than needed but was able to cover the entire surface of the Turtle cover. It was a bit awkward getting the roller beneath the traveler track in the center as the Turtle cover is curved upwards in the middle from side to side. 

Next day, I cleaned down the surface with just a blower, not even any bugs on the primer. This time I mixed a little more primer and was easily able to cover the entire surface.

Onto day 3. Same process, clean the surface with a blower, no bugs, and mix up the Awlgrip Polyester Urethane Topcoat Base Paint. Ok, screwed up again, this time I mixed too much but basically because the mixture is 1:1:1:0.1 of the Base, Converter, Flattening agent and the Reducer. I mixed 200% of what was needed. 

With the first coat of Top coat applied, I did a few other jobs around the boat including figuring out how I'm going to install the new Curtain Rails but that's another post.

Before leaving the boat, I tossed all of the spoiled cleaning rags, rollers, mixing cups into a bucket and brought them home. Later in the evening I emptied the bucket into the trash can - the Roller for the Top Coat was hard! Awesome.

Tomorrow is Saturday and I plan to go and apply the 2nd Top Coat but the weather may hinder that, we have a storm coming over Cuba, it's expected to head up the West Coast of Florida so we might be ok and I'll be able to paint. I have reached out to Jamestown Distributors ( they supplied the paints ) for advice on what I should do if I cannot apply the 2nd top coat soon enough. I'm guessing there might be a bit of extra prep.

I also ordered another pint of the converter for the top coat as the can I have has only a few ounces left.  There's enough for doing the Turtle cover.

( The Pic is a 1 Gallon can, I ordered a 1Pint can = $100.08 )

So we'll see how it goes in the morning.

Of course, Jamestown got back to me just after I published this post. They simply say that I should sand the surface ( I'll use the 3m Sanding Pads ) and wipe it down. I'm guessing with Awlgrip Awl-Prep Surface Cleaner AWL-T0008 but I've asked for confirmation on that.

I'll update this as soon as I get a reply.

That didn't take long. Jamestown replied. Wipe down is with the Reducer, not the cleaner.