Applying Non-Skid/Masking Shapes

[Torsten]

The new-to-us boat came without any non-skid on the decks and only recent 2-pac. I'm trying to plan out how best to mask-up and apply (Kiwigrip). I've seen lots of different shapes/patterns of non-skid on all boats, but is there any advantage for example in painting the whole foredeck or leaving 'gaps' between sections? Is there any logic to it other than aesthetics?

 

[SloopJonB]

It's just aesthetics.

I've never cared for decks with lots of panels of non-skid. I like to lay them out so the non-skid sort of covers the areas that would be planked on a teak deck and the gloss areas are where the margin boards and king planks would be.

Keeps it simple and grippy but has a bit of style too.

 

[gkny]

If you need to redo the nonskid later, it is much easier to mask if there is a smooth border around hatches and hardware

 

[sculpin]

More managable to do smaller patches.

 

[Fleetwood]

Agree, its aesthetics and practicality of application.
I mask the largest areas which I can paint easily. Depends on the specifics of the deck layout. A smooth channel around all edges and hardware for water runoff, cleanliness (and aesthetics).
Lots of bottle & jar lids of different diameters plus an exacto knife are your friends for masking

 

[SloopJonB]

Agree, its aesthetics and practicality of application.
I mask the largest areas which I can paint easily. Depends on the specifics of the deck layout. A smooth channel around all edges and hardware for water runoff, cleanliness (and aesthetics).
Lots of bottle & jar lids of different diameters plus an exacto knife are your friends for masking

I have found that as long as the panelling is divided down the center into the two sides of the boat it was easy to keep a wet edge on the non-skid, even using a small roller. Non-skid paint is a lot less fussy than gloss coating.

 

[Torsten]

Thanks very much guys, this is exactly the useful answers I was hoping for!

 

[Arcot]

Perhaps look for natural water outflow / draining from high of doghouse to low of deck and leave 2 inch path for grunge flow.

 

[smj]

Maybe slightly of topic but keep in mind the Kiwigrip roller can sling paint onto unmasked surfaces. Kiwigrip drys fast and is an absolute bear to remove from unwanted surfaces after it drys.

 

[Crash]

Maybe slightly of topic but keep in mind the Kiwigrip any roller can sling paint onto unmasked surfaces. Kiwigrip drys fast and is an absolute bear to remove from unwanted surfaces after it drys.

Fixed it for ya

 

[Irrational 14]

More managable to do smaller patches.

This^^^
KiwiGrip is easy to use however it can also be super temperamental with heat and humidity and change texture on you rapidly. Controlling this in small batches keeps the surface looking uniform or apply in the shed with controlled climate.

 

[smj]

Fixed it for ya

From my experience the Kiwigrip roller is the king of paint slingers, much more so than rolling Kiwigrip with a foam roller. Or maybe I’m an over aggressive roller?

 

[Crash]

When I did my (now sold) S2 9.1 deck with Kiwi Grip, I too had a challenge with paint drying quickly, but it was Norfolk VA in the summer with no tarp (things I'd change next time). I had 2 helpers. I rolled, one helper pulled tape asap, the other stirred, poured and had a series of wet rags to get any drips, spills or slings. I don't remember slinging being a big issue, but maybe I knew I was fighting temp, so didn't over roll it too much or too fast?

 

[smj]

When I did my (now sold) S2 9.1 deck with Kiwi Grip, I too had a challenge with paint drying quickly, but it was Norfolk VA in the summer with no tarp (things I'd change next time). I had 2 helpers. I rolled, one helper pulled tape asap, the other stirred, poured and had a series of wet rags to get any drips, spills or slings. I don't remember slinging being a big issue, but maybe I knew I was fighting temp, so didn't over roll it too much or too fast?

Not sure. We did ours in Galveston Tx in June so it was drying almost as fast as we put it on.
Just myself and my wife, so with 2 people there was no time to get wet rags and chase the slings.
On a positive note, 4.5 years of full tIme use and it’s still a great nonskid with almost no signs of wear.

 

[gkny]

Two rollers is a big help. the rollers Will collect little clumps as they dry and this harms your effort to get a uniform texture. you can use one roller and soak the other one in a bucket of water. Every 15 or 20 minutes dry off the soaking roller and exchange rollers

 

[Mitre cut]

Don't use a roller to put Kiwigrip on, use a 4" brush and get that shit on quickly and thick. Once you done a panel then go over it with a roller to create the desired non-skiddness texture. If its a large area have someone brushing while second person follows with the roller, roll slowly and there will be no enduring splatter.

 

[smj]

We used a notched tile trowel to initially lay the Kiwigrip down, gives an even coating.

 

[Grrr...]

Don't overdo it with too many panels, but you definitely want SOME breaks. So when a particular part of the deck gets smashed by a spinnaker pole, or a winch handle, or you find water in the laminate, then you only have to redo that single panel of nonskid once you tear into it.

Saved me on my 7.9 recently.

 

[guerdon]

Cheap masking tape isn't. Roller splatter is a result of too much pressure and too fast a rate of application. One has to gage the viscosity of the coating the day of the coating with the tools at hand.

 

[Grrr...]

Cheap masking tape isn't. Roller splatter is a result of too much pressure and too fast a rate of application. One has to gage the viscosity of the coating the day of the coating with the tools at hand.

No such thing as cheap masking tape. Use 3M fineline for the edge, and then use the 3 inch blue/green stuff on top of the fineline just to catch splashes. Do not leave the tape on - pull it all off soon after your paint. Otherwise it'll be glued on by the kiwigrip and it will never come off.