So after reading numerous posts about how great Kiwi grip is I went to get some to refinish the cocpit. But, and but!
After reading the application guide on their website (basically that can be applied easily to any surface including gelcoat and flowcoat)
the instructions on the can are waaaay different. It calls for a very comprehensive prep, sanding and if there is an oily surface (flowcoat) the oils must be treated and removed before applying. How did you prep your gelcoat/flowcoat before applying the kiwigrip?
Started with a 80 grit orbital sander, dusted off, then wiped over with acetone. Then some Norglass 1 pot undercoat/primer, again sanded with 80 grit orbital sander, dusted and wiped with acetone. Probably worth giving it a wash with something first if you're really worried, but I did mine while the boat was on a mooring, so I didn't have the luxury of choice.
That said, there was the odd splodge of kiwigrip I accidentally got on some high gloss paint and even without that prep work, it stuck there pretty well!
Well, here's a gallery of what I did: imgur.com/a/04EWOB5
While mine wasn't over non skid texture flowcoat as such, it did have a VERY uneven surface to deal with. The Kiwigrip was happy as Larry being slapped all over it - the sanding is just to key it up so it sticks a bit better - not to get a fully flat surface.
It depends on how it was all applied.
If the boat has come from a mould, you spray the mould with gelcoat, and then spray or lay glass and that will cure the gelcoat. Or you can add a wax to the gelcoat and it will set, or you can cover the gelcoat to set it with peel-ply or a PVC spray. I've put glad-wrap over the top before. It worked, I wouldn't recommend it but the gelcoat set. I think all you need to do (much like a laminate resign) is starve it from air.
If your non-skid is the little pyramid shape you get from the mould on a lot of production boats, boatworks.com have a great tutorial on how to repair them. Ill see if I can find it.
Application of kiwigrip applied today.
Colour tint was radar quater.
Problems encounted.....little black bugs everywhere today! lighter sections that need recoating and direct sunlight causing it to gel to quick.
Now time to advance for the decks and cabin sides!
Best was my first attempt in a small section this morning. Applied with trowel thick and rolled out. Went a bit pear shaped after that in larger sections using a brush then the roller. Do not apply in direct sunlight.
That's still a damn good effort - especially if you were doing it by yourself.
If you really hate it, you can just sand it off and start again, but I'd be happy with that result personally!
For those out there that have been doing their Kiwigrip over a period of time, how long will a tin last once opened? I'm epoxy priming my port hull this weekend and my thought was to Kiwigrip it ASAP. That means at least another few weeks of preparing and priming the starboard hull before I get the Kiwigrip out again. Will it still be OK?
I gave my decks a light sand and painted over the top with the kiwigrip Roller. Decks Still good after 3 years. The biggest prep was taping up. The stuffs so tacky it pretty much hoes on and stays on anything. Kiwi grip forever.
Gave the decks and cabin top a good scrub today after being away from Icon for a number of months, nearly 12 months on the kiwi grip and Auqatrim satin white is still in as new condition. I can't wait for summer so I can finish the coating on the cabin sides and decks, will be just a home and hosed job after that.