Visit us at IBEX!
October 6-8, 2026 Tampa FL
Visit us at IBEX!
October 6-8, 2026 Tampa FL
(40 to 80 grit surface scratch). Mask off sanded area. Make sure border tape is wide enough to allow a 1/2” to 3/4” (12-19mm) overlap of the Rubber Repair Non-Skid pattern to lay flat.
Cut to shape, making sure to leave 1/2”-3/4” (12-19mm) border.
To achieve this, gelcoat should be thinned with appropriate thinner or styrene and sprayed on thick enough to give an even color. Let cure thoroughly. If *surfacing agent is used in your gelcoat, it must be removed by sanding, along with solvent wipe to assure a proper bond with textured coat.
*A surfacing agent is a solution containing paraffin wax. When added to gelcoat or polyester resin, it will rise to the surface during cure cycle to seal off air. Exposure to air will prevent a complete surface cure. If no surfacing agent is used, the surface will remain slightly tacky in the shade and extremely sticky in the sun. Avoid exposure to sun during next step.
Secure determined starting edge with tape. Check fit and make sure overlapping border lays down flat and is not held up by wrinkles in the tape or other objects. A seal must be formed around edge that will not allow air to bleed gelcoat down before it can cure.
Note: The pattern is coated with green polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to serve as a release agent as well as a barrier coat that prevents a chemical reaction that will occur between the Rubber Repair Non-Skid Pattern and gelcoat, resulting in a distorted pattern.
…for a lubricant. Remove excess.
…with a viscosity measuring cup. Gelcoat should run through a Zahn Cup #2 in 60-65 seconds and Ford Cup #4 in 40-45 seconds. Be sure to clean cup between each test. Gelcoat may be thinned with some of the following products with varied results: Duratech Clear, Patch Boost, Patch Aid. DO NOT USE ACETONE. The gelcoat must be fluid enough to flow into the cavities of the non-skid pattern to avoid air entrapment. Also, thick gelcoat makes it difficult to squeegee the Rubber Repair Non-Skid Pattern down level over large areas. Catalyze gelcoat cool enough to allow sufficient cure time to complete procedure.
Hold the Rubber Repair Non-Skid Pattern up and pull back to secure end. Pour enough gelcoat to start a wave in front of and across entire width of the pattern as not to leave any air bubbles trapped. Use a stick as illustrated in spot repair #9 to push gelcoat up under your pattern if necessary.
…to push along behind the Rubber Non-Skid Repair Pattern in a manner that will move a wave of gelcoat before the face of the Rubber Non-Skid Repair Pattern as it is lowered into the wave. Add gelcoat as needed and continue process across entire area.
…with a squeegee, excess gelcoat out from under the Rubber Non-Skid Repair Pattern. Squeegee across in all directions. Run hand over surface to feel out any high spots that will need to be squeegeed out. Use some of excess gelcoat to lubricate the squeegee it will slide easily. You may use acetone sparingly to wipe back of the Rubber Non-Skid Repair Pattern clean if you intend to reuse it. Squeegee should be of adequate size for size of the application, stiffened up to help apply even pressure across width of squeegee.
Remove masking from around the border. Sand and polish edges using graduated grit. Starting with 100, 220, 320, 500, then compound and polish.
The Rubber Repair Non-Skid Pattern can be used repeatedly as long as the PVA coating is intact. Once PVA has begun to come off the non-skid rubber pattern, wash the remaining PVA off with water. Let the pattern dry and reapply PVA with a spray gun by misting.
Providing permanent, microplastic free, comfortable, repairable, non-skid solutions for over 30 years.
(817) 236-5021
6805 15th Street E.
Sarasota, FL. 34243
info@gibcoflexmold.com
Mon – Fri : 8 – 5 Eastern
Sat – Sun : Closed
