Epifanes

[Mr. Sandman]

Over the winter I replaced a basic mahogany latter with steps that have storage beneath and a shelf behind. It was a lot more complicate than I thought (nothing is straight, plum or square and it took a while) and it was in an awkward location to attach. But I got cracked the code and it looks good and functions great (far better than the latter). I used the teak and holly marine ply and some mahogany. I finally got it dry fitted and took it apart and varnished it to match the rest of the flooring and trim.
For the last decade all I have used is epifanes products. I have been varnishing all my life and this is the best product I have ever used. You need their thinner to get it just right but it comes out great and stands up.

So, I finished the entire thing and installed it in the boat. Looks great but one problem...it's a little slippery. Not exactly what you want for steps in a companionway. So I went on a mission to determine what is the best way to get some degree of non-skid with varnish without trashing the look.

The adhesive tape with grit works but kind of looks crappy.

I made 3 test planks with different grit:
a) non-skid grit used for paint mainly...very aggressive and irregular and looks crappy, would tear up bare feet and catch a lot of dirt.

b) a technique that involved placing course salt on wet varnish and washing off when dry.... Actually this was not half bad, it looked pretty good, a little blotchy but had some mild grip and easy on bare feet. Was hoping for more grip and and less blotchy.

c) another round grid that I got from recommendations from major boat wearhouse supply co's. (they said it "should" work for varnish) while it was better than"a" above, it was still too course and had an ugly look to it.

I was going to go with the salt approach but figured I would call epifanes and see what they said. They had a technical hotline.
Well, the fellow was very pleasant and very knowledgeable. He said they offer these round polyethylene spheres that are pretty small and can mix with varnish. (no one seems to carry these in stores.. I looked)He said it will give you enough traction and not take away too much from the glass look you have and they work in varnish. We had a long talk about options I tried but I ordered some of his spheres. It arrived the next morning fedex. I did another test patch.....the results are really great. When mixed as directed, and by letting it sit for 20 min before applying mixing well, and applying with a roller, the results are amazing. You get just enough grip without detracting from the finish. It is hard to see them but you your feet don't slip.

This company has great products and knows their business and is consumer friendly.

[tautog]

I've used a product called Sikkens and liked the product. Nice finish and look but not glossy.

[Nebe]

That looks beautiful and I have fallen down more than one companionway because it was wet and slippery. Nice solution!!!

[keeperreaper]

Good stuff right there.

[Mr. Sandman]

I had heard good things about sikkens as well. Have never used it myself. It is a challenge to get it to look good and keep it non slip. If this didn't work out I was going to go down to Gannon and Benjamin and talk to them. They are a local boat-builder here who build complete high end sailing yachts that are fully varnished inside and out,That look like a piece of fine furniture, if anyone would know anything about this they would. But I am happy with this solution and it can be tuned to get it just the way I want it.

[thefishingfreak]

Looks good. Wayyyyy too nice for my friends to be stepping on with dogfish guts all over their boots
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[likwid]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

I had heard good things about sikkens as well. Have never used it myself. It is a challenge to get it to look good and keep it non slip. If this didn't work out I was going to go down to Gannon and Benjamin and talk to them. They are a local boat-builder here who build complete high end sailing yachts that are fully varnished inside and out,That look like a piece of fine furniture, if anyone would know anything about this they would. But I am happy with this solution and it can be tuned to get it just the way I want it.

Either you make it yourself or you use Epiphanes. No other way around it.

And being a traffic area, if you have less than 6 coats, then you don't have enough.