[Rhodes22-list] Nonskid Coating For Floorboards - Was: Surface Coating for Floor Boards for an Inflatable Dingy

[Roger Pihlaja]

Bryan,

My inflatable sport dingy is the roll-up type.  The slats for the floor
boards are made of hollow rectangular extruded aluminum tubing, which are
hinged to each other as well as to the inflatable's transom.  To prevent the
ends of the aluminum floor slats from chafing against the inside of the
inflatable's air chambers, the ends of the slats are covered with hard
rubber caps.  Many of the plywood floor inflatables I've seen have an
extruded plastic or hard rubber channel that snaps over the exposed edges of
the plywood.  This snap-on channel serves the same anti-chafe function as
the hard rubber caps on my inflatable.  Richard makes an excellent point
regarding not allowing an abrasive nonskid surface to rub up against the air
chambers.  However, I can speak from personal experience at how slippery &
dangerous a wet painted or varnished deck can be.  Therefore, I would still
consider using the sand or some other nonskid material in your paint
topcoat.  If the plywood floor in your inflatable does not have the snap-on
channels as described above; then, you will have to mask off about an inch
along the outer edge of the floor boards when you are sprinkling the nonskid
material onto the wet paint.  This will give the nonskid deck surface you
need without exposing your air chambers to excessive abrasive wear.

Good luck!

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Pihlaja" <cen09402 at centurytel.net>
To: "Bryan Childs" <bchilds1 at peoplepc.com>; "The Rhodes 22 mail list"
<rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2004 7:48 AM
Subject: Surface Coating for Floor Boards for an Inflatable Dingy


> Bryan,
>
> I would use epoxy to stabilize the plywood laminate against water
intrusion.
> The best way to do this would require a high pressure autoclave to force
the
> epoxy deep into the laminate.  Since you probably don't have access to
such
> a system, here's what I would do:
>
> 1. Sand off all any remaining varnish or paint on the plywood floor
sections
> & set them up as if you were going to varnish.
>
> 2. At room temperature, use WEST SYSTEM 105 epoxy resin, 209 extra slow
> hardener, and cut the mixture to about 50%wt with acetone.  Mix the 105
> epoxy resin with the acetone and get it blended up thoroughly.  Then,
blend
> in the 209 extra slow hardener.  You should end up with a mixture that is
> very thin (low viscosity); but, still brushable.  WARNING: Acetone is very
> flammable & the vapors are somewhat toxic.  So, be careful about ignition
> sources and provide plenty of ventilation.  Wear personal protective gear
> (PPG) such as rubber gloves, rubber apron, rubber boots, goggles, chemical
> vapor respirator.
>
> 3. At room temperature, this thinned epoxy will have a pot life of about
an
> hour.  During this time, keep brushing the liquid onto your floor
sections,
> paying particular attention to the places where the plywood end grain is
> exposed.  The thin epoxy should soak into the wood about as fast as you
can
> brush it on.  The acetone solvent will evaporate, leaving behind the
epoxy,
> which will cure up deep inside the plywood laminate.  If there is any
> interior rot in the plywood, the epoxy will arrest the rot and should
> permanently stabilize the laminate structure.
>
> 4. Leave the floor boards hanging at room temperature for at least 8
hours;
> but, not more than 20 hours to allow the acetone time to evaporate &
diffuse
> out of the wood plus have the epoxy cure to a green state.
>
> 5. At room temperature, mix up another batch of WEST SYSTEM 105 epoxy
resin
> & 206 slow hardener.  Brush this mixture onto the plywood surface like it
> was varnish.  Some of it may soak into the wood; but, most of it should
> layer on the surface like varnish.
>
> 6. Leave the floor boards hanging at room temperature for at least 2
hours;
> but, not more than 12 hours to allow the epoxy time to cure to a green
> state.
>
> 7. At room temperature, mix up another batch of WEST SYSTEM 105 epoxy
resin
> & 206 slow hardener.  Add WEST SYSTEM 422 barrier coat additive until the
> mixture has a viscosity similar to exterior latex paint.  Brush on two or
> three thin layers of this material allowing 2 to 12 hours between coats.
> Let the final coat cure for at least 24 hours
>
> 8. Wash away any waxy amine blush on the surface with acetone.
>
> 9. Do any required finish sanding at this point.
>
> 10. I would finish up with a good polyurethane topsides paint like Awlgrip
> or Interthane Plus Two-Part Polyurethane in the color of your choice.
> Consider sprinkling some coarse washed sand over the wet paint to provide
a
> nonskid surface.  NOTE: Even with the 422 barrier coat additive, epoxy
does
> not have good resistance to UV.  Therefore, this final coating of paint is
> essential for long epoxy life.  This will be especially important in an
> application like a floorboard where it may sit for long periods with water
> on it and the hot noon day sun beating down.
>
> All this probably sounds like a royal PITA; but, it should provide you
with
> a set of bulletproof, maintenance-free floorboards.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Roger Pihlaja
> S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bryan Childs" <bchilds1 at peoplepc.com>
> To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2004 3:54 PM
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Surface Coating for Floor Boards for an
> InflatableDingy
>
>
> > I use an inflatable dingy for my Rhodes when cruising and I am in the
> process of rebuilding the floor boards.  (Heading to the Florida Keys in
> late Jan) These are boards that are linked together that form the flooring
> of the dingy.
> >
> > The original boards were varnished and did not last very long so I am
> searching for a more durable coating.  Remember the edges of these boards
> are submersed in water particularly the stern section.  I have marine
> plywood but need opinions on the best coating: varnish,  epoxy paint,
resin.
> >
> > I know Roger will have some good ideas.
> >
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