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Nonskid protection

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/19/2002 : 14:22:36

I am "waxing" the topsides. I am using Nufinish (a car polish) on the flat, non-nonskid -- it is not slippery, but provides some protection and makes cleaning easier.

But what do people use on the non-skid? The Nufinish is very hard to get out of the grooves of the non-skid. Is it better to leave the nonskid bare?

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

Edited by - on

capn rick
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 14:49:41

I never wax my upper deck surfaces. rather look at a dull finish from above than a shiny nonskid reflecting sunlight onto the sails as she slowly tacks away from my swimming form.....
capn rick
s/v cavale #4238

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 17:51:21

I wax my topsides, including the non-skid, and I've never had a footing problem. The reason I wax the topsides is not to make the deck shiny and new, but to put a protective barrier on the gelcoat. At my marina the swallows perch and sh*t on anything resembling a boat. By putting a coat of wax on, I don't have to take a belt sander to get the deep purple birdsh*t stain out, I just simply wash the boat as usual and the stains come right out. The boats in my marina that don't wax their topsides have stains that appear to go deep into the gelcoat and they must use aggressive cleansers to get these stains out and even then the stains are not totally gone. The only problem with these cleansers is that they also damage the gelcoat even more, so the next time a bird craps it will go even deeper into the gelcoat. With a good coat of wax the bird crap, spider stains, and leaf marks practically rinse right off and while my non-deck waxing neighbors are on their hands and knees trying to get the stains out, I just hose the boat off and set sail.

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

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nate
Navigator

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240 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 19:12:44

Richard,
I think I'm with Rick on this one.....I'd be worried about waxing the non-skid for fear that traction might be compromised. You might look at one of the fiberglass restoring products (Vertglas/Poliglo)if the finish is really shot.
Nate

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1775 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 20:55:04

Hi Richard,

I bought some stuff called "Sure Step" on eBay. I haven't used it yet, so I can't give you any idea of how it works. IF it does what it claims, it'll be good stuff ... here is what the container says:

" ... contains a unique new polymer that seals, shines, and protects non skid boat surfaces against dirt penetration and accumulation without making the surface slippery, tacky, or sticky. Grip increases when the surface is wet."

Here is a link to their web site where you can read about the product and search for stores that carry it in your area:

http://www.auroramarine.com/

'Sorry ... I don't remember exactly what I paid for it ... I think I got it for around $10.

Good luck!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 21:06:07

Buzz,

Good tip on that wax/polish product, Sure-Step. I might try some of that stuff even though I currently use a regular wax with no problems.

Question: Don't surfers use wax on their boards to make them nonslip?

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 22:35:10

My plan (I have lots of 'em) is to put a coat or two of PoliGlo on the decks to seal them whithout making them waxy (which it isn't) or really shiny (which two coats won't make it). But that's when I'm in town long enough, have some decent weather, and can get all of the sea-rat and swallow sh!t off the decks! <img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle> (Those little bastards love to sit on my jib sheets and decorate the whole foredeck!)

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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jm
Captain

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Canada
290 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2002 : 14:10:46

Sounds like one of those plastic OWL's may be in order Dave ! You could tether to your shoulder in place of the Parrot.. Arrghhh.. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2002 : 16:44:40

I'll have to get a picture of a swallow sitting on a plastic owl and post it... Any other ideas? A plastic cat?

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2002 : 17:43:23

Good info...

The wax I use on the hull, when spot tested on the topsides, seemed to make its surfaces a little slippery, especially when wet.

But Don is also correct -- surfers wax their boards to create more traction (Sexwax is a common brandname). But clearly it's a different kind of wax, designed to be soft and sticky (and dull), rather than a hard and smooth (and shiney).

Sure-Step is advertising exactly what I need. Let us know how your's works, Buzz.

Seagulls typically aren't a big problem around here. But despite all the pollution (both air and water), a huge blue heron manages to live nearby. And when he decides to let go, watch out -- serious bombs away!

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2002 : 20:59:18

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
...a huge blue heron manages to live nearby. And when he decides to let go, watch out -- serious bombs away!
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Ya, our previous boat was hit by a big blue--it painted most of the cockpit. It looked like somebody dropped a half gallon of paint from a hundred feet up.

Worse was the time a racoon climbed into our cockpit one night with a some clams he'd dug up. When he finished with the clams, he "took a dump" that later clogged the scupper so that the cockpit filled with what resembled septic tank fluid during the next rainstorm. (We were out of town for a week at the time.) The same coon climbed out of another guy's live well as he was motoring across the sound--created some real excitement a few miles out!

So, shine up those decks--you never know what you might be up against! <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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