Can I apply Sure Step, non-skid polish, to a Compounded Boat Deck?

Skipper February 24, 2025 Ask The Skipper

Tyrell M asked:

Hello, I want to use Sure Step after removing scratches/oxidation using compound. Is it recommended to apply Sure Step after applying a 2000 grit compound? Will the surface be too smooth for Sure Step to work?

Answer:

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Hi Tyrell,

There may be two problems getting Sure Step^® to work properly on your highly polished/compounded deck (2,000 grit).

The first is cross contamination; rubbing compounds typically use products like tallow, wax, silicone, glycerin, etc., or a combination of these, to carry the grit. As you buff the surface, you’re driving this material, plus some of the grit and oxidized fiberglass into the pores and leaving a contaminated coating on the surface. Sure Step^® was designed to adhere to clean, stable gelcoat, not contaminates. The reason that we package two different cleaners in our popular Sure Step Deck Protect Kit^® is to ensure that these pollutants are removed prior to applying Sure Step^®.

Boat Clean Plus^®, is a highly effective, heavy duty, cleaner degreaser that quickly and easily removes surface dirt and any oily or atmospheric pollutants so they are not driven into the pores. Boat Scrub^® removes heavy oxidation, so the oxidized material is not driven into the pores. It even contains our proprietary Hypexine; a leaching agent that helps to lift dirt and bacteria out of the pores, so it can be removed. Our Chemists have found that residue oxidized gelcoat, left in the pores can act as a seed to accelerate future oxidation and chalking of the cleaned gelcoat, so it’s important to get the surface as pristine as possible, for lasting results.

The second problem is the highly polished surface. There may not be enough tooth for the Sure Step to adhere properly and give you traction, when required. I know that people are attracted to shiny things, the shinier the better, however that can present other problems. If the surface is too shiny then even wiping dust off the surface with a soft microfiber cloth will show surfaces scratches. If yours is a showboat, never intended to see water or use, and you don’t mind polishing and waxing it before every showing this can be a good way to win trophies. But, if you intend to use the boat, you probably want to minimize maintenance. Gelcoat with a 800 grit finish vs. a 1,000 or 2,000 grit finish is barely perceptible, unless the boats are side by side and carefully inspected.

Keep in mind that the Sure Step^® also fills in minor scratches and enhances the shine, without the surface scratch problems. A properly prepared and protected deck with Sure Step^® should look close to the finish on a new boat. Even a brand-new boat will look slightly less shiny after the first year when the mold release wears off and the integral gelcoat is revealed. This is the normal appearance for fiberglass boats.

If you want to use Sure Step^®, I suggest that you buy the System Matched, Sure Step Deck Protect Kit^®. It has everything you need to get new boat, professional results. Clean the deck first with Boat Clean Plus^® and Boat Scrub^®, before applying Sure Step^®. The kit also has a special buffing wheel^® that you attach to your portable drill to make sure that the deck, including the non-skid indentations are properly buffed to a high shine. I’m sure that you will be just as happy with the final shine and be much, much, happier with the reduced maintenance. On my last boat, a 36 ft. express cruiser, I didn’t have to use a deck brush in 13 years. Except for a periodic washing with Boat Clean Plus^® and a mop, most cleaning was: rinse with a garden hose and wipe dry with a microfiber or chamois.