Hey guys, great place for advice.
I have this board that's brand new from a shaper, it has places that need grip - way too slippery. Nose and rails.
I have some old surfwax, but I find it makes for an uneven, ugly grip, perhaps it's too old (am inland, no surfwax in shops here).
I need good grip first for moves, cleanable later if possible, not looking too dirty (white) for promo pics. In that order. I'd like to avoid wearing footwear for pics.
Silicon again ??
How artistic are you?
I have used the rolls of adhesive grip you buy from a hardware store for putting on the bottom of baths to make them non slip.
I cut it into chevron shapes so it moulds better to the shape of the board and looks cool. Apply evenly where you need the grip.
Stays grippy and doesn't come off in the water.
get rid of every last skerrick of wax before you put glue, epoxy, whatever near the deck. go to the hardware or automotive store and get some "wax and grease remover", polish till it is squeeky clean. then start sanding etc.
Seeing as I believe you are in the US you could try this stuff.http://www.paddlesurfwarehouse.com/monster-paint-clear-spray-on-traction-for-stand-up-paddle-boards.html
We can't get it over here, but from all reports it is very good for applying some grip. Avoid wax, as most SUP riders will tell you wax is no good on boards that spend most of their time above the water on hot days as it melts and moves around under your feet.
I used a spray on grip designed for wood stairs. It has a small amout of grit in it (which I added a little more to after spraying it on.) Got the extra industrial grade grit (make sure it is clean and white) from an engineering shop. Has been working well for 3 seasons now and is as good as the day I put it on.
I should add that I used the spray on stair grip on an older plastic Bic Jazz board.
youcan use clear 2 pack and intergrip for a good finish. if you don't like gloss you can add flattening paste to the 2 pack
Damn you guys are the Martha Stewarts of board repairs.
Thanks all (did you'z spend time in jail too?)
In the end I used white indoors latex, thinly spread. Readily available it was, the grip is unreal and feels nice to the feet, much nicer than than surfwax. Being white and thin, it doesn't show in action photo shoots, which the board is used for for now. And it removes well, at least for a small test I did. Takes yonks to peel, that's all.
This particular equipment is a loaner, but if I end up keeping and using it, I'll reconsider this entire thread to do a better job.
Next question might be about those prison toilets that keep jamming...
