Color of non-skid / possibility of painting

[HJ51]

Anybody know what the creamy color is of the non-skid on Com-Pacs?  Com-Pac could not help since it is molded in gel coat, not paint.

And anyone have opinions about painting non-skid on as far as aesthetics (I'm assuming it will perform its basic function)?

[Bob23]

Interlux "Bristol Beige" is close but I'd caution about painting the non skid. I think it would reduce the efficiency of the almost perfect Compac non skid. My 23  is 32 years old and the non skid works perfect- not even the least bit slippery! I do like the look of a contrasting color but not at the cost of safety. Have you considered Kiwi Grip? A friend used it on his Morgan 30 and it is easy to apply, lasts and is super non skid, but comfy to sit on, too.

[brackish]

I had the same conversation with Hutchins as my boat has a few places where the non skid has worn through the color gel coat and the white underneath is showing.  If it gets worse, I'll paint it all.  I wax the hull every time I haul out, but have avoided waxing the topsides for safety reason.  The lack of protection afforded by waxing leads to premature oxidation for decks exposed 24/7 year round and makes it very difficult to keep clean.  However, on the most recent haul out I waxed a section of the topside, including some of the nonskid and found that it still performs quite nicely as a non skid providing you have proper deck shoes or bare feet.  I went back and waxed it all after that experience.

With regard to paint, when bringing back an older Columbia 8.7 I painted both hull and topsides with Dupont Imron a catalyzed polyurethane.  Same result, with proper deck shoes the nonskid performed quite nicely.

[wes]

In previous posts on this subject I've shared my success in painting my original non-skid areas with Interlux Perfection with their Intergrip nonskid additive.

I taped off the nonskid areas (3M fine line tape highly recommended; don't use the standard blue stuff), dewaxed, scuffed up with scotchbright pad and/or 80 grit, primed with Interlux Epoxy Primekote, then rolled on two coats of the Perfection/Intergrip mix. The result is fantastic. You get the original appearance of the factory nonskid, with a leathery texture that's easy on the feet and knees but very effective.

I had already painted my entire deck with Perfection using the "Cream" color, so I stuck with that color on the nonskid and let texture, not color, define the nonskid areas. You don't want to go very dark on the color or it will get hot underfoot. I think the Cream color would give you plenty of contrast with the factory white gelcoat in the smooth areas.

Wes

[Reighnman]

Try Woody Wax on your nonskid. Really helps with the purple bird droppings.

[deisher6]

I second the Woody Wax suggestion.  It is expensive and slicker than snot during application, but looks and lasts well.  I usually power wash prior to application.
regards charlie

[HJ51]

 Thanks everyone, great input.

Wes, would you mind posting pictures of your deck?  Or are they already on here somewhere? Thanks again.

[Reighnman]

I'm about to paint the nonskid in the cockpit only so wanted to try and match the color to remaining nonskid. Compac sent me a plug of their custom beige colored gelcoat. In the picture below is that plug with a dap of Interlux Bristol Beige. It's a bit lighter than I was hoping but I'll see this weekend how close it matches to my 18 year old gelcoat. Pettit has a color called Grand Banks Beige which may be a bit darker but I'm uneasy about using the Interlux Intergrip in a Pettit paint as I want to retain the original Compac nonskid pattern. I'll post some more pictures once the project is complete which might be 2020.