Wednesday, April 1, 2009

the new deck

We are finally starting to make some real progress on the boat's decks! we found a really great 2 part epoxy paint that is made for the water! made by rust-oleum, and a real steal at $170 for 2 gallons. (each part is 1 gallon so we have to buy 2 gals at a time)
The first step is to grind off any rust. 
Then I scrub the decks down and wash them off. 
After that dries, (in like 2 seconds with this heat and infernal sun) 
I mix the wonderfully messy epoxy. one part is thicker than Elmer's glue and the other is as runny as snot with a sinus infection! 
Then I roller on the first layer real thick and super sticky.

Before the layer can dry (which again happens really quickly)
I sprinkle the sand on top. 
gotta make it nice and even!
Then most of the work is done for the day. I just let it dry over night. Then in the morning, I sweep off the extra sand, and hose down the deck. Gotta let it dry again and mix more paint. Then roller on another layer over the top of the sand to make it all shinny white again.
Then on to the next section. 
You all know warning labels on everything now say something along the lines of "this product is known to the state of California to cause cancer" (but only to California right?) anyway, the sand we are using for the deck is 100% natural playground sand made for a child's sandbox. There is a warning label on the sand bag that says this product is known to the state of California to be a carcinogen, and prolonged exposure to this product can cause emphysema and pulminary disease ! yeah ! have fun kids!
only in the state of California! would they sell sand for a playground and it causes cancer and what ever else. I am still dumbfounded!

1 comment:

Diagnose Rachel said...

Sand? It's just sand? I wondered how the boat decks and around here ,ferry steps got prikely paint. Know I know! Good luck getting it done inch by inch!
Love ya