Deck Issue - what's wrong and what to do?

[Typhoon4Fun]

Hello!

I have a Typhoon (Hull #100), and the nonskid paint on her foredeck is failing. Before I decide upon a course of action, I want to make sure I understand what is going on.

The foredeck:

IMG_20180429_165023.jpg

Here is a close-up of the worst area:

IMG_20180430_182300.jpg

Here is a cross section of a little chip that I picked off:

IMG_20180430_183536.jpg

And here is a link to an album with more picture: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TEo1jhUhrgCxo6sw1

It appears that perhaps the brighter blue at the bottom material is perhaps the original gelcoat. Then someone put some more resin or something on top of that, followed by a non-skid paint (the lighter blue/grey material). The cross section of one of the chips that picked off shows a brighter blue material that is kinda thick (~1.5 mm) with the lighter nonskid stuff on top.

Also, if you look at the album I linked to, there is a close-up picture showing a deeper nick that is the result of me trying to see how hard it would be to scrape off the upper layers. It appears that some fiberglass roving was revealed... I stopped doing that.

A patient employee of a local boatyard looked at my photos and suggested I just sand through the upper layer that is failing until I reach the bright blue layer. Then apply something like Petit EZ Decks, interdeck, or the KiwiGrip. Perhaps not a long-long term solution, but will get me sailing this summer..

This will be my second season of boat ownership, so I am a relative novice. This may be a job best suited for a boatyard, but the boat is right in my backyard right now, and I am willing to learn, and be patient and careful, if it's feasible for me to deal with it myself.

I hope that wasn't too long winded. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[jbenagh]

I agree with the recommendation that you got. You will need to get the top layer off. A sander for that much area and thickness is rough work. If you're sure it's paint (and not some cured resin) you might try the fiberglass-safe paint remover from Interlux. Tape the edges and get a respirator. Then follow the directions carefully.

Jeff

[Typhoon4Fun]

Thanks, Jeff. I guess that's the trouble - I don't know well enough to say that it's not some type of resin! But maybe I'll take a chip to the store in town, see if one of their experts can ID it.

[Markst95]

If it were me and there was no soft spots, I would grind it off down to the glass, fair any areas that need repair and either paint with nonskid or kiwigrip it.

[Frenchy]

A 5 inch disc grinder with a 36 grit disc on it would probably make relatively short work of the deck. Just be
careful not to gouge past the gelcoat and wear a tyvek suit, gloves, eye protection and a good 3M mask. There
will be clouds of dust.
I think paint stripper would work better on a thinner layer of topcoat. It's messy and on your deck would
need several applications. - Just one person's thoughts.

[sloopjohnl]

a good random orbital sander with 60 grit and 100 grit will help with the sanding. my 5" porter cable model workd great on deck and bottom work. just thick of the weight you will remove when you get it down to the original gelcoat or glass mat.

[Typhoon4Fun]

Thanks, folks! This gives me some great direction. I appreciate the input

[mgphl52]

Where you have really thick edges, you might try using a wide, thin chisel, gently of course.
If the "old stuff" peels up easy enough, you don't have to create all that dust...

[casampson]

Unless I were restoring the whole boat, I wouldn't bother grinding all that material away. I would just scrape up the loose paint where I could, fill the rough areas with something (although I don't know what), give it all a quick sanding, and paint the entire area over.

But that's just how I would do it. I'm not necessarily recommending that course of action to others.