Don't know where to start! Repaint

[rob910]

Hey everyone I'm new to the site and i have a 78 170 all original. I want to repaint the deck of my boat and my console. Right now I still have the original diamond grip. Could someone give me a full rundown start to finish on what to do and what materials I need?? I'd like to have a grip surface but still have the flat water run lines on the new paint. Thanks guys!

[Georgie]

First - welcome aboard Rob!  

Second - You're going to need to do three things to get good responses.  

1) Add photos (and lots of them)  :pirat:
2) Utilize the search function as much as you can.
3) Be as specific as you can regarding what you're asking, what information you already have assimilated, and what you think your options or constraints are.

I'm not a body/finish/coating guy buy any stretch of the imagination, but many here have extensive experience.  However, it's tough providing ANY good feedback given what you've provided, and few want to spend the time to write a long-winded response if only 10% of what they write actually applies to your project or situation.

That said, what is the specific problem you're trying to remedy, and on a scale of 1-10, what sort of $$ do you think you can or want to throw at this project?  Finish coats are typically best left to those with experience b/c the material costs are great and you don't want to have to re-sand and re-coat an improperly applied or poorly mixed finish that burned up $350 in "paint"...that and the options and technologies for coatings are nearly limitless!

Help us narrow this down a bit and I'm 100% positive you'll get some useful info.  

[rob910]

Well really all I need to know is what type of awl grip can I use for the smooth surface and which non-skid will be good to go over top

[slvrlng]

So it does not have paint now? If it does not have paint I would sand the existing and use Rickk's gelcoat method with the micro balloons that he uses. Once you go paint it is really difficult to go back to gel. He is at the gathering this weekend but will chime in on Monday. I will try to find his thread on how to do this. It works really well and you can get the look (with water runs) and grip you want.

[slvrlng]

Found it!

http://classicaquasport.com/phpbb3/view ... it=gelcoat

[rob910]

Thanks!! But it has the original diamond style grip on it right now. I'm not sure if the original is helical or paint so what should I do to the original surface?

[Fletch170]

In my opinion, I would simply clean the deck very well, and paint over the diamond plate with Interlux Interdeck. This will preserve the original look, as well as give you a true non-skid finish. But it on thin, in several coats.

-Fletch

[rob910]

Is the interlux a non skid? Because my diamond texture is kinda worn

[jdupree]

You might want to look at Kiwigrip.  One step application and water based for easy cleanup.  I just used it on my new deck area and came out great.  Getting ready to do the entire deck.

http://kiwigrip.co/

[rob910]

Now for the kiwi grip can I apply that over the original deck or do I need to sand it or wipe it down with anything in particular?

[slvrlng]

Pretty much any coating you apply will require sanding the original non skid. The degree of sanding is related to the exact product you end up using. Yes, you will have to wipe with a cleaner, acetone, wax and grease remover of some sort before applying any coating. I would also recommend wiping the original before you sand as sanding can push contaminates into the substrate and cause adhesion problems later. Any of the mentioned products have very specific procedures on prep and sandpaper grits to use in the instructions.

[rob910]

Now for the kiwi grip what product do I need for the water lines and what product for the actual non skid?

[jdupree]

Now for the kiwi grip can I apply that over the original deck or do I need to sand it or wipe it down with anything in particular?

Most of the various applications are going to tell you to use 80 grit and just rough up the original deck.  I used xylene to wipe the deck clean.  I never had a problem with adhesion.  Just tape off and go to town

[jdupree]

Now for the kiwi grip what product do I need for the water lines and what product for the actual non skid?

The Kiwigrip is your nonskid.  It will come with a special roller that allows you to chose how "aggresive" you want the non-skid to be.  If you still want to keep your water channels just tape them off.

[rob910]

thanks guys!

I do want to keep the water lines but i want to paint them as well, what product could i use that wont mess up the adheshion for the kiwigrip?