1990 Larson stringer up restore

[Rkasal]

Hello there, I have a 1990 Larson 20.5' that I started with a motor swap and found rot in all the stringers from the ski locker to the motor mounts. I have been using epoxy from Raka for my rebuild and have the new stringers in and pb'd and glassed over with raka's biaxial 1708 to the hull. I am getting ready to cut and install the new floor, I'm planning on epoxy coating the bottom of my floor and epoxying it into the sides with the biaxial then laying the entire floor with one layer of epoxied 1708 biaxial. My question is what are my best options for a skid resistant easy to clean finish? We've decided carpet is not and option but I want it to be as water proof as possible. I've read that you can gel coat over epoxy with the proper prep but I'm not sure this is the most economical route to take. Any suggestions? Thank you

 

[Scott Danforth]

since you have gone epoxy vs poly, your stuck with epoxy paint.

you can not gel over epoxy.

I would have done poly and gel myself for the whole rebuild

 

[Rkasal]

Thanks for the input. I chose epoxy for the strength and ease of installation in my air tight shop during winter(no fumes). I have read that you can gel coat over epoxy and make it stick good if you get all the amine blush off but I don't have any gel coat to match up to (like you said it's all epoxy now) I guess it would be pointless to try. I've heard awlgrip is the way to go for a long lasting coating but it's very pricey anybody had success with any other brands of epoxy paint?

 

[bashr52]

I used KiwiGrip with good results on my last build. Nice finish, wears well, lots of colors to choose from, and cleaned up easily.

 

[Rkasal]

Thanks for the info, I saw kiwi grip and liked what they claim about it glad to hear actual testimony. I'm thinking about painting around the edges and masking off a section of kiwi grip for the well traveled center section. Does it set up hard or does it have a bit of a rubberized finish?

 

[bashr52]

It's not a rubbery finish like a bed liner, but not super hard on your feet that the textured surface hurts to walk barefoot. I found it fairly durable and comfortable to walk on. On fiberglass surfaces that had been prepped correctly and taped off for anti-skid properties, I never had an issue with peeling or flaking off. I put it over my plywood deck as well, and only had it peel in one small section of the corner that hadn't been cleaned properly. I would use it again.