Alternative Surfboard Traction

General Discussion
1

So in my pursuit on waxless traction, I finally found something that is relatively inexpensive, durable, looks good and actually works as traction if anyone is interested.   I’ve tried rough sanded decks, 3M traction tapes for stairs (works well but doesn’t look the best), never tried the versa traction stick on stuff, too expensive as I have a few boards and always making more.  But I came across this stuff called Deck Restore - liquid armour resurfacer that I found in home depot a few weeks ago while looking in the paint department.  They had some samples of the stuff on deck boards and it was really grippy but is suppose to be easy on your feet. I figured maybe it would work on a surfboard.

I picked up a can and asked the if it was possible to tint it white to match the deck of the board, she said she could try but she said the base was actually clear(ish).  So I bought it without it tinted.  I also got their special texture roller. 

If you follow the instucations on the can for the deck it does a nice job but it would add extra weight to the board, so only use one coat, it’s more than enough for traction, were not actually restoring a house deck.  I taped up the deck of the board where I wanted the traction, sanded it rough with 100 grit and I thinned down the stuff with some water to almost a pan cake batter consistancy.  Used the roller and rolled the stuff on the deck.  Let dry over nigth and it’s ready to go. See the attached pics.

I have had it out for a few sessions and it works great, also the color and texture almost looks like a good wax job.  I think it is removable with some scraping too.  Not sure how well it would be on bare skin, as I always surf with a wetsuit in the north atlantic but on my feet is was good.  I’m impresed enough that I am doing my outside stairs with the stuff, its actual intended purpose LOL.

Hope this helps out anyone looking for waxless traction.    See the pics.

 

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Used Morey-Pope Slipcheck in the '60’s on the last long board I had–wore my toe nails down to where it hurt, destroyed  wetsuits (It was a spray that had about 60-grit texture–and neon colors and came withpaper doilies to make it “psychedelic”).

In 1970 a guy walked into Rick Surfboards in Hermosa where I worked with an aerospace sandblasting process used to stress-relieve metal parts, I loaned him my board. It worked, but you had to maintain some pressure on the deck, or you’d slide. With Booties worked great! Also turning around to catch a wave, the board had a tendency to pop out in front of you as you laid down on it. (Instantly branding you as a total kook!)

Greg Liddle showed me how to sand a slightly thick hot coat in the mid '70’s and that texture worked, too. It still had the problems listed above, but I could do it at home.

In the '80’s moving to the Central Coast, I used sanded surfaces with skateboard traction tape just under my chest and on the rails where I gripped to stand up, and some commercial deck pad material on the tail. It worked pretty good.

 In the '90’s I found some spray used on boat decks, but it was a bit rough, so I started very lightly sanding most of it to round the sharp edges of the surface, especially where my wetsuit slid over the surface laying down. Still used the Skateboard traction tape under the chest and on the rail hand position. That way the wetsuit didn’t get torn up.

Still using the spray, have gone back to wax a few times, but waxless is really nice. You can leave your stick in the car all day and it won’t ruin your interior, you’re always the first in the line up as your neanderthal friends rub wax on their ugly boards, making them more filthy,  it doesn’t stink like some bathroom deodorizer–I just want the smell of raw salt water in my nostrils–Which I get a lot since after 50 years of surfing, I’m still a klutz. Oh, yeah, in a long session, when they ask for wax 'cause their boards are getting slippery, I gloat silently (More waves for me!!)

3

Max Power,

“How does the stuff feel like to lay on, must be nice and soft on the feet”

I like it.  I’m 63, so I welcome that little bit of “cushion” for my ribs while paddling prone.  Being up north, I wear a full rubber year round, but have not noticed it causing more rapid wetsuit deterioration.    I did notice that when I spent a week in San Diego last year and surfed multiple sessions/days in a short, 2-mil suit I did experience a little chafing on my inner thighs.  But I’ve also gotten that when I trunk it on a waxed board.

As I said before, the “grip” is fantastic, superior to even freshly-scuffed/combed wax IMO. I do the whole deck (in sections) on my cruisers and just the rear 1/2-to-2/3 on performance longboards. 

Pretty nice not having to periodically scrape off old, dirty wax build-up…or have it all over the inside of board bags, cars, etc…or have to bum wax off somebody when you forget to bring some.

Max thickness at the top of each ridge is about 3/16".  Some might consider that too bulky, but it works for me.  I have no scientific data to back this up: but I would guess it even somewhat reduces a rider’s tendency to pressure-dent the deck with knees, heels and balls of the feet.

 

4

Hi Dropknee

I actually have looked into that, just I like to build boards and I always have a board on the shaping rack.  So I’d have to buy in bulk LOL

How does the stuff feel like to lay on, must be nice and soft on the feet.

 

5

Hey Artz

yeah give the deck restore a try, it’s a good price and you could probably do 6-10 boards with it depending on if it’s a shortboard or a longboard.  Plus I really like that it’s clearish and looks like wax.  I was out in overhead stuff this week and it held up great, my surfing not so much LOL.  A sherpa would be great for those big days hahaha.

i think someone commented on why I dislike wax, basically for me, I don’t like that it melts and makes a mess in the car and i have to have my boards in a board bad when strapping it down on roof racks, I know it sounds silly but to me having waxless traction is a big plus.

6

I’ve used these guys’ product for few years:

http://surfboarddecks.com/

Always had good service from them.  I buy their “diamond-cut” pattern in 23" X 84" (I think that’s the dimension) rectangles and then cut my own patterns to suit the board in question.  WAY cheaper than buying pre-cut from a surf shop.  Great traction and lasts:  my first set was put on 4-1/2 years ago and is still going strong.  Adhesive backing is 3M: have never had any of it peel off.

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Any experiences with  the commercial stuff from traction pad manufacturers?

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Max, I have not looked into the deck restore. I have used the beads and they are easy on the feet, I only use it on the nose for grip on those rare time that I actually get on the nose. I'm happy with the results I have been thinking of using it on the area where my back foot should be over the fins for more effective turns. In other words i should be able to feel that my rear foot is in the right position.  At my age I need all the help I can get.  I have even given thought to getting a Sherpa to do my paddling

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I’ve seen stuff at the boat shop, I think like what you are talking about, that they use on decks and stairs, stuff seems similar to the deck restore tho, just more expensive since it’s for a boating application.  Sounds like it works well for you?

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I have also been working on  light weight tracking For the nose of my Long Board i have used polypropylene beads used as traction on Yachts suspended in Acrylic paint so far so good.

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Why do you guys hate wax? 

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It’s more like a medium hard plastic, but not so hard that it will tear up bare skin.  Reminds me of the bathtub traction stickers actually, lol

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Is it hard or foamy?

14

Awesome!  Is there any way to make it smell as delicious as wax though?