Non-Skid surfaces

[Charlie Jones]

Reading this with much interest.

Just remembered one other non-skid I saw used once- the glass beads that are used in the paint on highway striping. Work about like the grit but boy when you hit it with a spot light at night it lights up like it had bulbs in there

Don't really think I'd want that (night vision), but sure would make the boat visible to tow boats when they put that huge spotlight on you. Of course THAT blows your night vision anyway.

[Howard]

Reading my own comments reminded me of the Hammons Company at Stockton. Since they make the stuff, why not call them direct?

http://www.black-walnuts.com/nutshell.asp

They will sell me a 50# bag (minimum size) of the 20/30 mix black walnut shells, with shipping included, for $28.10 (56 cents per pound). Size will be 1/32" or slightly smaller. She said the 30/100 would be too fine for non-skid. They also offer a variety of walnut flours that might have use in epoxy fillets. They would come out much darker than pine flour.

I could go pick it up, but it's 3 hours each way. Stockton Lake, BTW, is a great sailing lake. Deep, clear and the wind blows. Wanna find out what your boat will do in 30 knots of wind and 5' white caps, that is the place to find out. :wink:

[lsearle]

Hey Charlie, what an idea! I live next door to a Road and Traffic Authority (Highways Depot). I quite often see busted drums of the very same glass beads lying in the mud. Wow! Air Sea Rescue Helicopters, people anchoring within your scope half an hour before the wind change, speeding jet skis .. I'll be down there with my scoop and a plastic bag later this evening.

Lawrie Searle

Newcastle Australia

[Howard]

Not sure how those reflective granules would work under paint. Maybe under a clear cote? Or a piece of reflective tape under the gunnels might do the same thing?

Anyway, walnut shell samples arrived from Hammons. The 20/30 grit they recommended is larger still than any of the others. It is much larger than I expected it to be.

http://www.black-walnuts.com/page.asp?category=nutshellproducts&subcategory=productlisting

The 30/100 that they said was too fine for non-skid does look more like flour than grit, but when it was tested, enough of the larger particles stuck, such that it came out between the ballast and the fine silica. It spread more like flour, with clumps. Looks like it would work well for seat tops.

Not sure I have gained anything....but knowledge. RR ballast is still giving me the best feeling texture. The larger walnut shells will probably work if after the first anchor coat the tips are blunted with sandpaper, and the gaps filled with paint.

[Garry]

This company makes an interesting product:

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

I've never used it but there are some reviews available on the internet. Its the same company that makes pickup truck bedliners. They also use it for heavy duty industrial and marine applications.

[Barry Pyeatt]

It is pretty heavy, (weight wise) but tough and durable. Hard to lay out a smooth portion along, rails, scuppers and such. It is pretty much all or nothing textureing on the boats that I've seen done. It looks industrial and performs as an industrial coating where needed. but they do have some interesting colors. :roll:

On pleasure craft they apply a thinner coating but it is still quite heavy compared to other methods.

[Garry]

Barry,

I'm wondering how it can be "quite heavy compared to other methods." It seems that a layer of sand in paint would be pretty heavy. Is it because the Durabak goes on in a very thick layer?

You said it is tough and durable. Those are good things. How about traction, especially when wet? Do you have any experience or feedback from others?

[Noklin]

I have no personal experence with this product, but it sounds simular to something that I used back in the 80s. According to their web site, it is 10 pounds per gallon. A gallon covers 60 sq ft. That comes out to .17 pounds per ft of coverage. That is at a finish depth of 29 - 39 mils (1/16). That does not sound to bad.