Yea , I think Woody put up a link on another thread from what I recall the mat was pretty pricey per sq ft sheet . I may experiment a little and see what happens ..
Took a few minutes after I worked on the deck prepwork this evening to try an idea the hamster through at me .
He may be on to something . Used pool insect screen to make texture .
Elcheapo redneck engineered gelcoat deck texture !
The trick is timing the removal of the screen as the gel starts to set . In the pics I may have taken it up just a tad to soon ..
What do you guys think ?
I don,t know if I steped on it now I would be wiping gelcoat out of between my toe's . LOL! This was a sample I did about an hour ago .
Jbc , The texture matches my deck texture real close . If I wait a bit longer to pull the screen it should give a little more aggressive texture like you said . Careful how ya use my hamster sometimes his wheel gets stuck !:facepalm:
TC ,I guess you could sprinkle some compound on while still wet but I think it would be ok without it .
Wood , Trooper ,
Thanks . I think I will do this in 2 coats . The first coat with just a smooth roller no texture . Let dry then a light sanding and acetone wipe . Second coat with the screen . The gel I have already has the wax in it . Some where I read to mix the gel with a blender . Is this necessary or can I just stir with a stick ?
It's my understanding you want to mix by hand to avoid air bubbles. It takes the gelcoat quite a while to start to set so you have time to mix it. I remember hearing about someone trying one of these to roll his deck. Can't remember the results, But... since you are experimenting you might give it a whirl...Seems like he also said that he rolled it on thick with a regular roller and then waited until it was starting to tack up before rolling with the textured one.
I would think that if you left it in it may start to deteriorate with the salt and sun . It would definitely be non-slip though ..
Ya know there ain't nuthin better than a nice white deck to lift your spirits ! Specially when you feel like you hit the boat restoration wall ..
Thanks Pmc but I still have quite a lot of things on the to do list before I can say that word and really mean it ..
Trooper , Thanks , I am working hard but it,s the "paying" part thats killin me ! LOL!
Jbc , Yep the original texture seemed to come back through OK . There are a few spots that still need texture that hopefully the screen or texture roller should help blend in .
Personally, I think you "Ruined" that boat. In fact, it is SOOOOOOOO UGLY now that I would offer to come take it off your hands for a mere Pittance!!!! You can't have the Neighbors looking at such an EYESORE!!!!:faint::tape2:
