Never paint your ship’s deck again with anti-slip paint

Safety on board is important. Smooth and wet surfaces can be life-threatening while sailing. You can injure yourself or even fall overboard. There are various options for applying anti-slip surfaces to the ship’s deck; you can choose anti-slip paint, profiles, or a synthetic teak deck with anti-slip quality.

Many boat owners opt for anti-slip paint, possibly mixed with anti-slip sand grains, or anti-slip profiles on the deck for the necessary grip. There are pros and cons to both methods. It is effective, affordable, but has a less luxurious appearance. Want a luxurious look? Consider a synthetic teak deck during your deck renovation.

With Topdek, you no longer need to paint your ship’s deck with anti-slip paint; the material itself has anti-slip properties.

Anti-slip paint pros and cons:

Anti-slip paint comes in various types, such as a rubber-like version with anti-slip grains. You can also choose a coating with separate anti-slip powder. You mix this powder with the paint or sprinkle it on wet paint. The advantage of paint is that you can apply the anti-slip yourself if you’re handy. The anti-slip structure depends on the type of roller and the application method of the anti-slip paint. Before applying, you need to sand, remove dust, and degrease the deck. The anti-slip sometimes needs to be applied in multiple layers and cured before you can use the boat. The surface can bear weight after 1 to 5 days depending on the paint brand and temperature.

When choosing the paint, check if it comes in your desired color. Some brands only offer white or gray colors. Get well informed about adding anti-slip grains or powder to the paint so that the materials are not too sharp and do not damage your shoe soles or sailing suits. Note that the anti-slip on the most walked areas may reduce over time due to wear and tear. Before applying new anti-slip paint, everything from the structural grain needs to be thoroughly sanded out of the paint layer for good adhesion.

Anti-slip profiles pros and cons:

An alternative is sticking anti-slip profiles. This is done on a smoothly sanded deck. The expensive material often already has a self-adhesive layer and needs to be cut to size. This is a precise task and can be difficult for inexperienced people to do themselves. After laying, you need to press the material firmly with a roller, ensuring that the edges are also pressed well; otherwise, the material can come off the deck, and you may trip over loose edges.

Plastic teak deck with anti-slip pros and cons:

A permanent and low-maintenance anti-slip solution is a synthetic teak deck. Topdek 2G synthetic teak is an alternative to teakwood decks and gives a beautiful, natural look to your boat. The material is available in twelve different colors. After application, you no longer need to provide the ship’s deck with anti-slip; the material has a natural anti-slip surface. Synthetic teak is more expensive than anti-slip paint but has a long lifespan and is resistant to UV rays and seawater. Algae, which can make a deck slippery, do not adhere well to synthetic surfaces and are thus easy to remove with Topdek cleaner. Topdek 2G synthetic teak not only makes your deck anti-slip but also waterproof. Additionally, you no longer need to paint your deck and can easily repair damage to the synthetic deck. This material is a good choice if you are buying a new boat or renovating your boat.

Applying Topdek:

The synthetic teak deck is applied to a clean surface. A panel is made based on a template. This is glued to the bottom of the boat and possibly also to the benches for a luxurious look. The seams are neatly sealed. After applying Topdek 2G, the deck is sanded with P40 grit, a coarse grit, giving the material a beautiful natural wood finish and good anti-slip properties. By applying two layers of Topdek sealer to the deck, you can spend two seasons on the water worry-free. The colorless, environmentally friendly product protects your deck from stains due to its oil and water-repellent properties. You can use the deck 24 hours after applying the sealer.

Advice on ship decks with anti-slip:

Get well advised by a specialist before treating your boat with anti-slip. This way, you can be sure you’re making the right choice. If you’re considering a more luxurious look by choosing synthetic teak instead of paint, contact affiliated Topdek dealers. They can install the synthetic deck for you. If you’re very handy, it’s also possible to install the material yourself. If you provide a template, the dealers can make a ready-to-install panel and send it to you. With the help of adhesive and tools, you can then install it on a clean surface yourself.”