Remodel floor help with vinyl.

[Smackhq]

Hi,

I have a 76' boat that originally came with a vinyl floor throughout the entire boat (floor, engine cover, berth, etc. You can sort of see picture here.
http://horstmann.smugmug.com/gallery/1060843#49279146-M-LB

I really didn't like the look of it plus I think it was adding to the "old boat smell" as I'm sure moisture was trapped beneath it.
I proceeded to peel it out and have done the entire boat (only 21' hardtop) but I know am left with a small problem of the glue. Floor is in great shape other than the left over adhesive.

For the remodel I would like to apply a light gray non-skid deck paint to floor as I think it would do a much better job for cleaning and general fishing but I'm afraid I will not be able to get this glue up to get a good bond.

Has anyone run into this type of remodel problem and what did you do or use? I really don't want to put vinyl back in or carpet but if I have to I will.
Any suggestions and help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Rob

 

[pdecat]

It was hard to see the floor in the PIX but from what you describe, getting the glue smooth will be a real problem unless it is hard enough to sand, usually not. Carpet will be easiest, as it will cover the glue surface well or you could use a thin overlay of new marine ply. There are also fake teak coverings they are expensive and may not look appropriate in your boat. I would probably seal the old floor with some good oil paint then try carpet. Easy to do and easy to undo later if you get into a total refurbish.

 

[blouderback]

I agree with Bruce. I think the best thing to do would be to get as much of the old glue up as you can by scraping and sanding, then paint the non-skid stuff on, then install a snap-in carpet. You can do the carpet yourself by cutting it to size and then taking it to a carpet store to get bound. Adding snaps is pretty easy. This way, you can take the carpet out to clean it, and then just hose down the deck.

 

[BillV]

There are products that will remove carpet and vinyl glue. I bought some at Home Depot that worked well when I removed my cockpit carpet. The brand name of which I can't remember. I also used a 7" disc sander with a #60 grit disc and it cleaned everything up pretty well. I then applied a non-skid that looked great. Like you, I wanted no carpet as it then becomes difficult to cleanup after fishing.

 

[Mike Ryan]

i would use a carpet glue remover and a scraper. it will take some elbow grease, but the finished product will be that much more!