On my other boat ( -- blushing -- ok, so I own a HC33 in addition to my CD25) I have all varnished companionway steps. They are very slippery when wet.
Has anyone ever seen or tried mixing in a non-skid sand with varnish?
What are my other options? I don't want to tack down those ugly non-skid strips or pads.
I see Porttownsendfoundery.com has bronze diamond plate circles, but I would suspect they are slippery too when wet.
-Mathias
Non-skid sand in varnish?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
Non-skid sand in varnish?
Sunset, CD25
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
-
Oswego John
- Posts: 3535
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 20:42
- Location: '66 Typhoon "Grace", Hull # 42, Schooner "Ontario", CD 85D Hull #1
Non Skid In Varnish
Yes, I have used a sand type ingredient with excellent results.
The picture is that of a grate I built for our schooner. At the time of the photo, the wood isn't finished. It is being final fitted to where it goes. After adjustments, I used exterior urethane and added a very fine grit that came in a salt-shaker type container. I got it at Ace Home Supply, if I remember correctly.
Once, I tried using sand but found that it was entirely too coarse . Better to stay with prepared fine grit.
O J
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9pAnU_aSh24/S5VHh ... C-001F.JPG
The picture is that of a grate I built for our schooner. At the time of the photo, the wood isn't finished. It is being final fitted to where it goes. After adjustments, I used exterior urethane and added a very fine grit that came in a salt-shaker type container. I got it at Ace Home Supply, if I remember correctly.
Once, I tried using sand but found that it was entirely too coarse . Better to stay with prepared fine grit.
O J
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9pAnU_aSh24/S5VHh ... C-001F.JPG
"If I rest, I rust"
Voting Member #490
Voting Member #490
fine might be finer
Yes, I like the idea of a finer grit. Thanks for that suggestion. I saw other websites recommend a sand, but I was a bit worried about it being too coarse. Didn't think the local hardware store would have something like that, but now I have reason for another errand to the "toy" store.
-Mathias
-Mathias
Sunset, CD25
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
-
Oswego John
- Posts: 3535
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 20:42
- Location: '66 Typhoon "Grace", Hull # 42, Schooner "Ontario", CD 85D Hull #1
Non Skid In Varnish
Mathias,
Duh!!! I forgot to mention one thing.
It's not non-skid IN varnish, it is generally non-skid ON varnish.
What most people that I know do is apply the next to last coat of whatever they are using, then they sprinkle the grit over the wet surface. When that dries, a top coat or two covers the grit.
What I'm trying to say is not to mix the grit in with the finish material can. Apply as many coats as needed. Sprinkle the grit and let dry. Then apply top finish coat(s).
Good luck,
O J
Duh!!! I forgot to mention one thing.
It's not non-skid IN varnish, it is generally non-skid ON varnish.
What most people that I know do is apply the next to last coat of whatever they are using, then they sprinkle the grit over the wet surface. When that dries, a top coat or two covers the grit.
What I'm trying to say is not to mix the grit in with the finish material can. Apply as many coats as needed. Sprinkle the grit and let dry. Then apply top finish coat(s).
Good luck,
O J
"If I rest, I rust"
Voting Member #490
Voting Member #490
yup
Roger that. Good that you added that. Knowing me, I would have been so anxious, I would have dumped the grit right in. Would have been hell to apply sand with every coat and try to sand it out for the next coat.
I also read at another site to tape off the edge of the stairs. Gives a nice-looking professional edge. Gives the impression that there is a type of mat that has been laid down.
Although I wonder about that. Wouldn't I want the grip right up to the edge? I guess I'll see. I can always tape off first. And then add the edge coat later if I decide I still need it.
-Mathias
I also read at another site to tape off the edge of the stairs. Gives a nice-looking professional edge. Gives the impression that there is a type of mat that has been laid down.
Although I wonder about that. Wouldn't I want the grip right up to the edge? I guess I'll see. I can always tape off first. And then add the edge coat later if I decide I still need it.
-Mathias
Sunset, CD25
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
-
Dick Villamil
- Posts: 456
- Joined: Feb 6th, '05, 16:42
- Location: CD Typhoon, Victoria, Essex Jct. VT
non skid
I also have another boat besides the Typhoon - After refinishing the ladder to the cabin I added 1" wide strips of clear plastic stick-on non-skid. It has been 15 years and has been working fine. All I need to remove it is a hair dryer so I can add a fresh coat of urethane. The mahogany shows through the non-skid pretty good but the non-skid is visible for ensuring sure-footednss. I'm sure that Defenders or West Marine or a local boat dealer will have it. I also used aluminum oxide "sand: for the deck non skin on 2 different boats. I mixed it in (sparingly) with the last coat of paint (in a different can) remembering the ratio in case I needed more. I then added a coat of paint over the dried-in nonskid. This has worked satisfactorily for many years. Just remember to use as little as necessary and do a test strip because too much is very abrasive to feet (skin burns) and shorts. That is why I like the non-skid strips. I placed then 1/4" from the edge of the wooden steps for maximum non-skid effect.
Non-skid
Mathias-
Some folks use crushed walnut or pecan shells as a non-skid for the deck. I'm sure the same could be used on companionway steps, and applied as OJ suggested. Here's a blog of some owners that coated their deck this way:
http://sailingequinox.blogspot.com
Good luck!
Richard
Some folks use crushed walnut or pecan shells as a non-skid for the deck. I'm sure the same could be used on companionway steps, and applied as OJ suggested. Here's a blog of some owners that coated their deck this way:
http://sailingequinox.blogspot.com
Good luck!
Richard
-
Ocean Girl
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Aug 30th, '08, 21:07
- Location: 1981 Cape Dory 30 cutter, located at Waterford Harbor, Clear lake, Texas
- Contact:
tape
I also have used the tape non skid. But I put the strip down before the final coat. One coat over the tape blends the non skid with the rest of the step. When it is time for maintenance coats I just peel the tape up ( flick the corner of the tape with a sharp knife and peel up), sand area, put maintenance coats down and before the final coat reapply the tape. I found that the non skid can hold about three thin coats before loosing its non skid abilities.
The small thin coat over the tape makes the non skid almost disappear, kinda looks like matte stripes on your steps.
Try it you will like it
Erika
The small thin coat over the tape makes the non skid almost disappear, kinda looks like matte stripes on your steps.
Try it you will like it
Erika
There is nothing like lying flat on your back on the deck, alone except for the helmsman aft at the wheel, silence except for the lapping of the sea against the side of the ship. At that time you can be equal to Ulysses and brother to him.
- Errol Flynn
PS I have a blog now!
http://oceangirlcd30.blogspot.com/
- Errol Flynn
PS I have a blog now!
http://oceangirlcd30.blogspot.com/
-
Como No Cruising
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Sep 17th, '07, 10:42
- Location: CD40, Hull #8
COMO NO
Non Skid in Varnish
How about this for unique: We visited with the owner of a Bristol 40 who had applied non-skid in the varnish covering the Holly strips in his teak and holly cabin sole. He had always worried about the cabin sole being slick to wet feet when underway and found this to be his solution. He did an excellent job and it did not spoil the appearance of the sole, even tho it did look slightly different. As I recall he also applied the non skid to the varnish on the companion steps.
Ericka's solution is what we used on Como No until it wore down and we could not find the clear strips in Fiji, so we went with a grey stick down non skid, which has worked well. When we return to Kemah, Texas the grey will come off and we will return to the clear non skid strips. It just looks better and works well.
Ericka's solution is what we used on Como No until it wore down and we could not find the clear strips in Fiji, so we went with a grey stick down non skid, which has worked well. When we return to Kemah, Texas the grey will come off and we will return to the clear non skid strips. It just looks better and works well.