Deck Finish

[Krfoote]

OK, i have searched online and on the forum and i cant find a definitive answer to this question. Which would be best for the Deck- Gelcoat, Topcoat, straight fiberglass, or paint?

I have just replaced the Rotten Wood under the Deck in my 25 Foot Cabin Restoration and am about to lay up the replacement plywood. I was planning on laying carpet, but i have decided to go another way since this will be used as a Diving Boat Primarily and the Deck will be getting wet.. A lot.

I Gelcoat doesnt sound like the right choice because its more soft apparantly and its not going to be part of a mold (If i understood what i read correctly). Fiberglass would be ok, but i would have to paint over it just for some more aesthetics and i dont really want to do that if there is a better option- From what i have read Top coat might be the way to go since its more of a Hard Gelcoat because of wax and it can be suited for a non slip finish and such but i want an experts opinion before i go ahead and do this.

Experts... GO!

P.S.
I am still learning this site and i cant find my previous posts or i would have asked there...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Deck Finish

Ayuh,... I'm using a roll on bedliner for that application with a stippled finish...

 

[rickryder]

Re: Deck Finish

"P.S.
I am still learning this site and i cant find my previous posts or i would have asked there... "

Go to your profile... on the left side click on Find all started threads.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Deck Finish

Foote,

If you are using it as a dive boat then definitely put down glass first no matter what as a first step. Put down enough glass to hold up to the abuse of tanks, dive belts, etc. bouncing and smacking the deck. The finish coat is merely personal preference after that. Either gel, paint or some other coating will work okay. IMHO paint will be easier to repair and recoat.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Deck Finish

I'd look into marine vinyl, maybe nautolex. Very tough stuff, great grip, easy to clean and available in several neutral colors.

I used it on my deck and it adhered very well to epoxy resin.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Deck Finish

OK, i have searched online and on the forum and i cant find a definitive answer to this question. Which would be best for the Deck- Gelcoat, Topcoat, straight fiberglass, or paint?

Experts... GO!

Without a doubt IMHO..

Glass the wood..then Gelcoat it with Griptex additive ( a mix of extra coarce and coarce ).

As I have no clue on rhino liner or other liner products.... Im saying gel is the best.

Its way more durable than any "Paint" I have ever used or even know about..

YD.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Deck Finish

Maybe check out Durabak... They use it on decks of all sorts of commercial vessels. I agree that a glassed deck is a must for starters, but Durabak is super strong, can easily be repaired (re-coated), and gives the deck a great rubberized non-skid surface.

http://www.nonslipcoating.com/marine.htm

 

[R Socey]

Re: Deck Finish

I think I'm going to use Soft Sand Rubber on mine. Paint with
perfection, broadcast particals, roll with clear epoxi, spread
some more, and spray UV acrylic. There particals come in a
variety of colors - the color is all the way through the material.http://www.softsandrubber.com/

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Deck Finish

I really dont think you want Interlux perfection with chipped up tires on your deck..

The above post is allmost crazy talk...

LOL..there is everyone and there brother thinking up goofy stuff to put on your boat...

Yea sure..ez application..low cost..

*cough*

YD.

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Deck Finish

Ayuh,... I'm using a roll on bedliner for that application with a stippled finish...

Bondo, what brand are ou useing?
Thanks

 

[R Socey]

Re: Deck Finish

Yatch docter seems to have a lot of trouble reading today.
There are alot of optians - I think that what your looking for -
optians right. Read the testimonial section, see how crazy it is.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Deck Finish

Gel coat is very durable and will hold up for decades with little maintenance, paints are applied much thinner, so even if they are just as durable they wouldn't last as long. Products like Durabak are easy on the feet and anything else that comes in contact with the deck, plus they offer great traction just like gel coat, but gel coat (actually the sand used as the non skid) can be very hard on feet and gear.

Use enough glass under whatever you decide to use as a surface so the plywood will survive the beating.

Gel coat and top coat are the exact same thing, one just has wax when you buy it, the other "you" add the wax to it before use. Never buy top coat, always add the wax yourself.

Some of the DIY bed liner products are soft and pliable, others are stiff and hard, the softer ones would be better for this purpose.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Deck Finish

I have no trouble reading..I just dont read too much of what I dont like..

I have my own testiclemonial "optians"...erm..I mean suggestions..

BTW.. its Yacht Dr. .. not "Yatch docter" M8..

YD.

 

[badkins50]

Re: Deck Finish

Last year was our first season with a Durabak deck covering and it was great. So what if the kids kept getting in and out or you make a mess fishing or something gets spilled, just go home and spray it out. Had a real nice textured finish and did not burn your feet. I have also seen the stuff from Gander and it to looked and worked great as well. Good luck.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Deck Finish

Originally Posted by Bond-o
Ayuh,... I'm using a roll on bedliner for that application with a stippled finish...

Bondo, what brand are ou useing?
Thanks

Ayuh,... I've got Durabark, 'n Gatorgrip, for 2 different applications,...
Ain't got around to either 1 yet though...

 

[sasto]

Re: Deck Finish

For me it's either gelcoat or Awl-Grip with extra fine Griptex. I go barefooted much of the time, the course Griptex is fine on my feet, but harder for me to keep clean and free of blood stains.

 

[Unleadedaddict]

Re: Deck Finish

Raptor liner is 10 times better than any roll on application. Its a spray on and the gun is cheap 10 bucks.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Deck Finish

Like anything else, a ton of options. So what's the decision Foote?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Deck Finish

With all due respect, there is a lot of good advice and a lot of bad advice in these replies. If you want to know the chemical and mechanical differences between gelcoat and paint, plus the differences in applications, read this http://glassclownboats.com/PaintvsGelcoat.aspx

There is a lot of good advice and a lot of bad advice in that link .

YD.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Deck Finish

"Best" and "best within budget and abilities" are not necessarily the same thing.

I'd look into marine vinyl, maybe nautolex. Very tough stuff...

I disagree. I installed nautolex on my fishing boat, I found it to be very fragile, easily torn. I can't imagine how hard diving equipment would be on it. I also found it to trap water underneath, which I believe contributed to my deck needing replacement.

I recently did replace the deck, epoxy glassed it, and finished up with Rustoleum Topside with the grit additive. Can't yet attest to the paint's long-term toughness, but it was damned cheap, and will be extremely easy to touch-up as needed. If you want cheap 'n easy (as I did), you may want to consider it.