Deck Top Coat / Flow coat Questions

[whackywoody]

Hi Folks, need some advise please as I am painting the deck this wednesday after many hours grinding and filling

I have got the 2 x pack flowcoat (acyrillic and catalyst?) and I will be rolling 2 x coats onto a fully prepared deck but need some help with the following

1.) I will be painting inside a workshop which has no heating and the weather forecast max temps will be 8 degrees centigrade. Does anyone know roughly how long it will take before the first coat will flash off / tacky ready for the second coat? I am asking this as I have limited access to the workshop.

2.) I am thinking about using sand for a non slip floor. What sand should I use (sharp sand, silica?) and when should it be applied (between 1st and 2nd coat?) and how should it be applied (with a sieve?)

I have already purchased the paint so don't want to buy non slip paint.

Thanks in advance for advice

[martini]

My tips for you:

1/ don't try rollering it, doesn't work. A stippling action with a brush is required for non slip.

2/ don't try applying it in 8 degrees, it won't cure properly if at all. 10 degrees is the absolute minimum but even that's pushing it.

3/ even though you've already got flo coat, I'd still go out and buy the proper stuff. Not that expensive and does a proper job. Sand is too fine to be any use in something as viscous as flo coat.

[nugent]

Originally Posted by martini

My tips for you:

1/ don't try rollering it, doesn't work. A stippling action with a brush is required for non slip.

2/ don't try applying it in 8 degrees, it won't cure properly if at all. 10 degrees is the absolute minimum but even that's pushing it.

3/ even though you've already got flo coat, I'd still go out and buy the proper stuff. Not that expensive and does a proper job. Sand is too fine to be any use in something as viscous as flo coat.

I agree not worth doing in wrong conditions , non slip flo coat only £70.00 from east coast deliverd,
Brushing is. A better finish, ensure you wash deck with acetone prior to applying and flo coat,

[martini]

Originally Posted by nugent

£70.00 from east coast deliverd,

Agree, 10kg should be plenty for a 5-6m boat

[whackywoody]

Morning and thanks for the advice everyone,

I know I should have bought the non slip paint from east coast in the first place but I have had the flow coat colour made up to match the consoles. I have also paid for the flow coat so I want to use it to prevent the project costs from spiralling out of control but I am now a bit worried as to whether the 5kg I have purchased is going to be enough to paint a 6m deck and transom.

The 10 degrees looks critical and won't be painting until the temp is above this in the workshop - will take a thermometer today just to see! If its not above 10 degrees I will just have to wait but its a bit frustrating as I have worked hard over easter and just want to get the deck painted and finished.

Thanks again

[Tim M]

Or just hire a space heater for a couple of days!

[Wightdiver]

1.) I will be painting inside a workshop which has no heating and the weather forecast max temps will be 8 degrees centigrade. Does anyone know roughly how long it will take before the first coat will flash off / tacky ready for the second coat? I am asking this as I have limited access to the workshop.



If you do decide to go ahead in 8 degrees let me know the results. Been waiting to do the same on my boat for months now but decided to wait for the weather.

Andy

[Nos4r2]

Is there any humidity restrictions? If not, why not grab a propane space heater?

[two stroke mick]

dont forget the deck will have to be up to tempature as well as the air. so as short spell of temps at 10 degrees maynot be enough if the boat has been in a shed at 3 degrees for some time.

[Jizm]

Flo coat with kiln dried sand works fine.

[whackywoody]

Had a practice run today with tangerine flow coat and this morning was a 2% catalyst mix when sample was out of direct sunlight at the back of workshop - It took 3 hours to flash offSo 2nd test run was done with 4% catalyst mix and sample was pushed to workshop entrance so was in the sun and it flashed off in just over an hour.

So due to work commitments and workshop availability I'm gonna go for it tomorrow

[nugent]

Originally Posted by whackywoody

Had a practice run today with tangerine flow coat and this morning was a 2% catalyst mix when sample was out of direct sunlight at the back of workshop - It took 3 hours to flash offSo 2nd test run was done with 4% catalyst mix and sample was pushed to workshop entrance so was in the sun and it flashed off in just over an hour.

So due to work commitments and workshop availability I'm gonna go for it tomorrow

Use scales at all times and mix well
Remember if you mix a kilo or more it will start to harden quicker due to bulk an heat built up in bucket,,, 20ml to kilo works for me, but every work shop is different

[Phil M]

I have been flow coating in as low as 4 degrees this winter without any problems. Ok, it isn't the fastest to set (4-8 hrs to touch dry) but the finish has been fine. I have also had better, smoother results with a gloss roller than a brush. The brush left stripes which were harder to polish out than the orange peel effect from the roller. I am sanding and polishing to a decent shine though and after a flat surface so not exactly a non slip deck finish. I am also by no means an expert and may just be very lucky.

Phil M

[willk]

The comment about flowcoating with large volumes is valid. I got quite a surprise when mine started to smoke and pop in the pot after it went off...

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by willk

The comment about flowcoating with large volumes is valid. I got quite a surprise when mine started to smoke and pop in the pot after it went off...

Glad it's not just me that had that.....