Dinghy Floorboard Paine

[Obrien1234]

The floorboards of my Mercury Dinghy are ready to be repainted. From some research I’ve found a couple of options. There’s one that I’ve seen that I’m curious if anyone has tried - using bilge paint. I love the idea of this because I also would like to give some parts of my bilge a new paint job so buying the paint and using it all in one season would be ideal.

I’ve read that it’s good because it’d be resistant to fuel (in case of a leak) and it’s “hard as nails”. My worry is that there wouldn’t be any grip?

Would love to hear thoughts or be directed to threads discussing this!

Thanks

[psk125]

No reason you can't add nonskid granules (plastic) or sand to make the painted sufrace less slippery. Don't use beach sand if you go that way - the salt may mess up the paint. Use fine sandbox sand or, for more grip, the sand they sell in bags at Home Depot or Lowes to mix in cement. Techniques vary. Some people paint, then sprinkle the sand over the wet surface, and follow with a second coat of paint so that the nonskid doesn't remove skin when you brush against it. Others mix it in with the paint, which can be tricky because the heavier bits sink to the bottom of the paint can. This is why people use the plastic granules, which float more evenly throughout the liquid in the can.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Obrien1234

The floorboards of my Mercury Dinghy are ready to be repainted. From some research I’ve found a couple of options. There’s one that I’ve seen that I’m curious if anyone has tried - using bilge paint. I love the idea of this because I also would like to give some parts of my bilge a new paint job so buying the paint and using it all in one season would be ideal.

I’ve read that it’s good because it’d be resistant to fuel (in case of a leak) and it’s “hard as nails”. My worry is that there wouldn’t be any grip?

Would love to hear thoughts or be directed to threads discussing this!

Thanks

No, I don’t recommend it at all because I find it rather soft. I think the best product, also for the bilge, is actually an epoxy barriercoat like TotalProtect.

It’s supposed to be a primer and for the dinghy floorboards I wouldn’t dare vouch for UV resistance but for the bilges it is great and for the floorboards you can always overcoat it when it fails.