stick on nonskid

[jim rosenthal]

Finally had the stainless steel treads welded onto the bridge ladder of my boat; the metal shop did a very good job of it. The stainless steps are not polished, they are matte finish, but I need something to put on them so shoes don't slip. What experience have other HOF members had with stick-on products such as Treadmaster? Any suggestions much appreciated.

 

[SeaEric]

I just bought some yesterday from West Marine. The stuff i got is 4" wide (probably way too wide for your project) It seems to come in white, black and "opaque" (which is sortof clear but not really), by the foot in various widths. I intend to install what I bought in a bath tub at my home in Florida. The crappy stuff from Home Depot intended for bath tubs lasted about 3 months. I hope the marine grade will hold up. The 4" wide opaque was $4.99/ft.

 

[SEVEN]

I have that exact product on the treads of the ladder leading to the flybridge. The prior owner put on the clear and then varnished over the top of it. Outstanding performance in the last 2 1/2 years. The product comes in 1 inch 2 inch and 4 inch widths us at West Marine.

 

[Walter P]

My experience with most stick on stuff is that it has a hard time staying on metal, especially outdoors. No problem on wood or fiberglass but I suspect that the metal probably absorbs too much heat on a boat. It seems that the glue gets slimy and the non skid will simply slide off. Others may have had better success.

My previous Hatteras (43 DC) had a SS boarding ladder from the swim platform to the aft deck and the stair threads were made of 3/16" plate SS which was highly polished. They were very slippery when wet and after a few skinned shin bones, I decided to add plastic stair threads to the tops. It was rather simple to do..just drill a few holes in the stainless to accommodate the screws into the plastic or you may want to use teak (but only if you have masochistic tendencies) and insert 316 SS screws from the bottom. You may even want to consider buying a few feet of plastic deck boards at Home Depot/Lowe's. It is available in lots of colors and textures. Structural strength won't be a problem since the SS platforms will keep the trex from flexing.

Walt

 

[Scarlett]

I agree with Walter on sticking to metal. Might try some kind of etch first. We used the stick on Treadmaster rectangles from West I think, they worked fantastic on fiberglass stairs and looked good too. John

 

[SEVEN]

I wiped the surface with acetone after giving it a little stuff. I did my boarding ladder 2 years ago. It stays out doors year round. No issues.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Thanks to all. I am looking at material from Treadmaster and also from Seadek. Photos to follow. The welded ladder looks very nice- hopefully it didn't change shape too much in the process.

 

[BobWaz]

Thanks to all. I am looking at material from Treadmaster and also from Seadek. Photos to follow. The welded ladder looks very nice- hopefully it didn't change shape too much in the process.

Jim.....I saw the SeaDek products at the Montreal boat show. Ordered 3 sets of their stair pads in a teak look. Was quite impressed.

 

[SEVEN]

Jim.....I saw the SeaDek products at the Montreal boat show. Ordered 3 sets of their stair pads in a teak look. Was quite impressed.

Can you send photos? That is intriguing.

 

[BobWaz]

Probably easier to go to www.seadek.com.

 

[Tim Powell]

Ok jim do not ask for picks. One of the guys in the mariner has a 33 sport fish with short tower. The tower has a aluminum top where the next tear stands . Non skid was a issue for him could not find any that was very ruff enuff for him . He sanded the thing down to the raw aluminum and put rustoleum truck liner on it. Before you say sonthing it is white. That was 4 to 5 years ago and it still looks very.

Might work on your steps.

 

[BOATER BOB]

Might try aircraft wingwalk paint or using boat paint with course sand .
Bob

 

[gbharrington]

Jim,
I'm glad that you are finally completing this project! The satin finish that you refer to is actually the result of an abrasive deburring process after the laser cut. It can be further advanced to a polished finish but I don't think it is worth the work. 3M makes non-skid self adhesive strips in various widths. Given the current surface finish I doubt any further preparation other than a cursory wipe down with some solvent is needed.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Right. I sent off for Seadek samples today- I'm hoping they have a color that is close to the metal finish, because I think white will get dirty too fast and not clean up. Ladder goes back on boat shortly. I might also ask for treads for my cockpit coaming ladder as well.

 

[Toolsntoys]

Over the weekend a friend at the marina was look at seadek samples. I was not impressed if you run your finger nail across the product it will leave a gouge mark. And if your pick at it it will mar the finish. From what I saw I don't think it would hold up for stair treads. I think plasdek or flexateak (I think that's spelled correct. Lol). Is better suited for stair treads.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I got samples of Seadek and I am not impressed. I don't think it would last a season and I think it will look ratty from day two. I am going to try to find the 3M stuff. The Treadmaster material is too thick, I need something about 2mm or so.

I am not going to polish the steps; I'm way too lazy for that. They look fine as is. I just need something to make them rougher so my feet don't slip off them when they are wet.