How to Paint a Non-Skid Deck

Fiberglass: Clean the surface by wiping with a clean rag dampened with TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep. Abrade the surface lightly with a Scotch-Brite™ pad, and wipe the surface clean with TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100.

Wood: Wipe the surface clean with a lint-free rag dampened with TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100,; allow to dry completely. Sand with 220-grit sandpaper, remove residue, and wipe down again with a clean rag wetted with Special Brushing Thinner 100.

Previously Painted Surfaces: Remove all surface contaminants including dust, wax, and grease. Remove previous coatings that are in poor condition. Wipe clean with TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100.

Metals: See Step 3 - Prime the suface.

Mask: After the final solvent wipe, allow to dry, then mask any areas where you don't want non-skid paint. There are many different types of masking tape; choose a quick-release type and pay special attention to the amount of time you have before the tape has to be removed without leaving residue.

Which masking tape should you use? It really depends on how much time you think the tape needs to stay on the surface, and whether you need the tape to be flexible enough to go around curves without tearing.

3M 233+ High Performance Masking Tape is a 24-hour tape, but awesome for curves. 3M 2090 Scotch Blue Painter's Tape can adhere up to 7 days, has decent adhesion, but does not bend around curves all that well without tearing.

The non-skid particles are already mixed into the paint, but the liquid and solid components can become separated between uses. Stir thoroughly for the particles to become suspended in the paint.

Thinning: For proper flow, proper thickness, and drying when working in warmer conditions (70°F or higher), you may thin TotalTread 5-10% with TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 (for brush or roller application); use xylene for spray application. Do not exceed the recommended thinning percentage or TotalTread will not dry properly.

You can use a brush, roller, or spray equipment to apply TotalTread. Do not expect to achieve full hide in one coat. It’s important to apply a thin coat because if the paint film is too thick, it won’t dry properly.

We strongly recommend applying 2-3 thin coats rather than one thick coat. Paint that’s too thick may ‘surface-cure’, leaving wet paint and solvents trapped underneath. It’s easier to apply a thin coat if you don’t overload the brush or roller with paint.

Brush/Roller Application: To help ensure that the grit suspended in the paint is applied consistently, we recommend using a roller with a ⅛” nap solvent-safe foam roller cover.

In addition, some prefer a slightly smoother surface, which can be achieved by 'tipping' the rolled on paint with a good quality natural bristle brush. This method is called 'rolling & tipping'. If using this method, be sure to use a light hand on the brushing strokes so as not to displace too much of the tread particles.

Spray Application: For best results when spraying, use a nozzle that is at least 2mm wide. After application, allow the first coat to dry completely.

APPLICATION TEMPERATURE & DRY TIMES:

The recommended application temperature range for TotalTread is 50-90°F, (0-85% relative humidity). Apply TotalTread only when dew, rain, and temperature conditions will not affect proper application and drying.

Dry time to overcoat: 8 hours @ 90ºF; 12 hours @ 70ºF; 16 hours @ 50ºF.

Apply a thin coat for the second coat. We recommend 2-3 coats, but keep in mind that more coats equals more grit – and greater grip.

We can’t stress strongly enough that it’s better to have multiple thin coats than one thick coat, which won’t dry properly.

After applying the final coat, allow the non-skid surface to dry for 16-24 hours before walking on it.

The chemicals in primers, non-skid paint, and solvents are hazardous to your health. It's important to wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), which will vary based on the job at hand and the products used.

Before you begin any project, we recommend the following:

Carefully read the safety information on all product labels.

Review the information in the SDS (safety data sheets) for each product, including Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection.

Gather the proper PPE items, as stated by the manufacturers. Items can include, but are not limited to, the following:

Proper respirators for product application and for sanding cured material.

Suitable gloves to protect your hands.

Proper eye, face, skin, and clothing protection.

TotalTread did not dry properly: Improper mil thickness: The ideal application thickness is 3 mils wet film thickness (WFT) (2 mils dry film thickness (DFT)).

Improper thinning: For brush/roller applications, TotalTread must be thinned with TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 only. Any other solvents may have adverse effects. For spray application, thin with xylene. Thin only according to the recommended percentages per application method.

The TotalTread finish was not shiny enough: TotalTread has a low-sheen finish because it’s designed to keep glare and slipperiness to a minimum when wet. If a glossier finish is desired, start by applying at least one coat of TotalTread as is. Add TotalBoat Wet Edge Topside Paint into the finish coat(s) only.

The dried surface has too much grit: The grit in TotalTread is very small and designed for optimum grip. However, to reduce the coarseness, you can sand lightly with a sanding block using 400-grit sandpaper.