Non-slip deck coating Malta boats need has to work on decks that are wet more often than dry. Spray, washdowns and swimmers climbing back aboard keep a deck damp for most of the season here. KiwiGrip is the non-slip deck coating DockShop stocks for exactly that. It rolls on in a single coat, and cures to a flexible, grippy texture that holds up to a full Maltese summer without chalking or cracking.
Why Deck Traction Matters in Malta
A bare gelcoat or painted deck gets genuinely slippery when wet, and in Malta that’s most of the season. A slip on deck is one of the most common injuries on a boat. So traction isn’t a cosmetic upgrade, it’s a real safety fix.
Heat adds a second problem. A dark, smooth deck gets uncomfortably hot underfoot in direct sun. A textured coating like KiwiGrip breaks up that surface contact. That keeps it more comfortable to stand on barefoot, as well as safer when wet.
What Makes KiwiGrip Different
Older non-skid paints often rely on sand or grit mixed into the paint. That gives traction, but also scrapes bare feet and knees. KiwiGrip works differently, as a single-pack coating with its own textured formula. So the surface stays grippy without the sharp, abrasive feel that a sanded paint leaves behind. That matters on a boat where people walk around barefoot as often as in deck shoes.
The finish also stays flexible once cured, rather than turning brittle. That matters because a flexible coating handles a deck’s slight movement and temperature swings without cracking. That’s exactly the kind of stress a Maltese summer puts on anything applied outdoors.
Choosing a Colour: Grey or Cream
KiwiGrip comes in grey and cream, and the choice is mostly about heat and glare rather than pure looks. Grey runs cooler underfoot in direct sun and hides dirt better between cleans. Cream matches a more traditional deck look and reflects more light, which can help keep a cabin top cooler if the coating runs up onto vertical surfaces.
How to Apply KiwiGrip
- Clean and sand the deck: remove wax, oil and old coating residue, then key the surface with a light sand so the new coating has something to grip.
- Mask off the edges: tape a clean line wherever the coating should stop, since KiwiGrip’s texture makes it hard to trim neatly after the fact.
- Prime bare gelcoat if needed: a bare or heavily repaired deck may need a compatible primer first for the coating to bond properly.
- Roll on a single coat: use the specific KiwiGrip roller rather than a standard paint roller. The roller’s nap is what creates the correct texture, so swapping it out changes the finish.
- Keep a wet edge: work in manageable sections and keep moving, since the texture shows lap marks more than a flat paint would if a section is left to skin over first.
- Let it cure fully before use: walking on the deck too early can flatten or mark the texture before it’s set.
Common Mistakes
- Using a standard roller instead of the KiwiGrip roller, which gives an inconsistent texture or too little grip.
- Skipping surface prep, so the coating doesn’t bond properly to old wax, oil or a smooth gelcoat surface.
- Applying over a wet or damp deck, which can trap moisture underneath the new coating.
- Walking on the deck before it’s cured, flattening the texture before it’s had time to set properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does KiwiGrip last on a boat deck in Malta?
With proper surface prep, KiwiGrip typically lasts several seasons before it needs a refresh coat. Heavy foot traffic areas like companionway steps may wear sooner than less-used deck sections.
Is KiwiGrip hard on bare feet?
No. That’s one of its main advantages over sanded non-skid paint. The textured finish gives grip without the sharp, abrasive feel that grit-loaded paints leave behind.
Can KiwiGrip be applied over old non-skid paint?
It can, provided the old coating is sound, clean and properly sanded first. A failing or flaking old coating should be removed rather than coated over.
Non-Slip Deck Coating Malta: KiwiGrip at DockShop
DockShop stocks the full KiwiGrip range, made by KiwiGrip, in both grey and cream, along with the specific rollers the coating needs for the right texture. Buying the coating and the correct roller together avoids the most common application mistake, since a standard paint roller won’t give the same finish.
