Ideas for floor covering

[JasonJ]

I have been going back and forth between using marine carpet or something in the non-skid paint variety. I would like to lean towards the non-skid paint direction, as this will be a center console, it will be fished, and I would like to skip that carpet-holds-water-in-rainstorm thing. I have looked at a few additives, and it seems a bit spendy. Is there any backyard non-skid additives to paint, like sawdust or whatever? It also seems like if I could get small chipped bits of rubber or something of that nature to give paint some "nubbles" for traction, that would be a good thing. Any suggestions?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Ideas for floor covering

I painted my floor with a thin epoxy resin,+ covered it with Blast Sand... After cured, vacuumed up the "Unstuck" sand,+ Painted with Rustolium Light Gray.....<br /><br />Seems you'd Proabably get the same results with your poly resin.... the paint helps with both the UV,+ the Texture....

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Ideas for floor covering

JasonJ, this is my recepie for " Snapperbait's Ultra, Killer, Bad-a$$ Backyard Non Skid Stuff"...<br /><br /> I've had good luck so far with Gelcoat applied with a foam texture roller right over bare fiberglass... It leaves a light non-skid surface that can be painted or left alone, but gelcoat that is not painted or not used with an additive like dura-tech will stain very easily...<br /><br />I did the entire inside (floor, sides,ect.) of my on-going 21' openfisherman project with two coats of gelcoat...<br /><br />You can also thicken the gelcoat with cabosil to create a rougher texture if you wish...<br /><br />Foam Pro brand (color of the roller is blue) from Home Depot is the roller I used for the gelcoat... The roller tends to fall apart after a few minutes in the gelcoat, so you'll need a few of them... I use a 4 inch roller frame and cut the 9inch roller cover in half so I get two out of one... When the gelcoat was cured I painted it...<br /><br />After the gelcoat set up, I coated the surface with Poly viynal alcohol (PVA) and let it sit for a day to totaly cure the gelcoat, then washed the PVA off with the hose... You could use a surfacing wax additive, but if you plan to paint the surface, it could be difficult to get paint to stick well due to the wax..<br /><br />If you want to experiment you could get an El-cheapo pint of gelcoat (leftover Resin might work too) and the roller for about $15 to see what the results will be on a test surface to see if you'll like it...<br /><br />Liquid truck bed liner is also good, though like you say "a bit spendy" ($100 a gallon), but it does'nt stain or mildew easily if at all..<br /><br />Just say NO to carpet...

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Ideas for floor covering

I have thought about the truck bed liner. I had used it to coat the entire floor and bed of an IH Scout I rebuilt a few years back, and used the leftover for some non-skid surfaces on the boat I had then, and it worked well. I can't remember the name, but it had some serious nubbles in it, and it stunk to high heaven. It wasn't Durabak, it was better. I'm not too averse to spending cash, I am more interested in not having something that will hold water (carpet).

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Ideas for floor covering

Here in Tejas, we can get the DIY Herculiner kits at W and K marts (no endorsement intended)for less than $80, and I think they're paintable. I would add some ground up rubber fines for addd traction. The bottom/floor of my old Ebbtide cruiser (looked kinda like the SBeast before you cut her up) is a light green with white speckles. Really easy on the eyes and feet on really hot days.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Ideas for floor covering

HERCULINER, thats what I was trying to remember that I used on the Scout. Its too bad it doesn't come in anything else but black, but maybe paint can stick to it.

 

[dmessy]

Re: Ideas for floor covering

The new 12'x12' snap together poly vinal flooring looks and works great. A little pricey at $25 for 6 square feet but it will last a lifetime and can be picked up for cleaning. You can buy them at ********"(sorry cann't mention any other businesses but Iboats

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Ideas for floor covering

I was cruising my town trying to find a place that sells the laminating rollers I need, and came across some Evercoat rubberized non-skid stuff that is painted on at my local marine shop. It looks a bit like the bedliner stuff but not as rough. It is meant for boat floors or whatever else you want a non-skid surface on. $40 for a gallon, that will take care of everything, and will be a good sealant as well. Thanx for all the replies.<br /><br />No one had any glassing tools, but they could order then for me for $29 apiece. Right. I can order from US composites or whoever else fron the internet for much less money.

 

[BillP]

Re: Ideas for floor covering

I broadcast coarse (like blasting sand)sand over wet paint to get nonskid. The stuff you stir in with the paint is hard to keep suspended and is smoother.<br /><br />If you are doing gelcoat, why don't you pigment the resin and never have to paint again? This too could have sand in it.

 

[Franki]

Re: Ideas for floor covering

This is ridiculous..<br /><br />If iboats doesn't sell something, it should be find to mention someone that does...<br /><br />I am sure they would not object to that...<br /><br />dmessy.. where did you get that flooring stuff.??<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Franki

 

[mellocj]

Re: Ideas for floor covering

I used Herculiner on the front of my boat to add some texture where there were uneven surfaces. It is $80 at kmart... Definately put a cheap top coat over it, paint will stick to it and Herculiner will fade from the sun.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Ideas for floor covering

Mellocj, I had use Herculiner on a previous boat for the upper deck in from of the windshield and for some stepping points at the back,and it worked fine. The stuff I bought this time will be easier on the bare feet, for those times when I am doing other things beside fishin'. The better half has tender feets, and the excessively nubbly stuff can make things miserable.