Hempel Non-Slip Deck Coating Topcoat Paint - 750ml

Hempel’s Non-Slip Deck Coating 56251 is a quick-drying acrylic marine topcoat containing fine granules that create a textured anti-slip finish. It is suitable for glass fibre or GRP, wood and steel on interior and exterior surfaces above the waterline. The theoretical spreading rate is 9.2m² per litre at a recommended dry film thickness of 50 microns.

Developed for boat decks and other above-waterline areas where additional traction is required, the integrated granules create a consistent textured finish without requiring a separately broadcast anti-slip aggregate. The coating provides good resistance to weathering and abrasion when applied as part of a correctly specified marine coating system.

Hempel lists Hempel’s Primer Undercoat and Hempel’s Light Primer as the recommended previous coats. New, bare, repaired or exposed substrates should therefore be prepared and primed using the appropriate Hempel system. Existing compatible coatings must be sound, clean and dry before overcoating. Where the maximum overcoating interval has been exceeded, the surface must be roughened to maintain intercoat adhesion.

Stir the coating thoroughly before use and apply it by brush, roller or paint pad. Hempel’s Thinner 808, product code 08081, is specified for thinning and tool cleaning. Thinning should be kept to an absolute minimum and must not exceed 5% by volume. Avoid excessive film thickness, as this can affect drying and coating performance.

Apply only to a clean, dry surface with a temperature at least 3°C above the dew point. Relative humidity must remain below 85% during drying and curing, and sufficient ventilation must be maintained. At 20°C, the coating is touch dry in approximately two hours and ready to sand in approximately three hours.

At 20°C, the normal overcoating interval is three to 72 hours. At 10°C, the interval is six hours to six days. Any masking tape used to define deck areas should be removed while the coating is still wet.

For marine deck applications only. This product is not intended for domestic or household decking.

Key Features

• Quick-drying acrylic marine deck topcoat
• Official Hempel product code 56251
• Contains integrated fine anti-slip granules
• Creates a textured surface for increased traction
• No separately broadcast anti-slip aggregate required
• Good resistance to weathering and abrasion
• Suitable for glass fibre and GRP
• Suitable for wood and steel
• For interior and exterior marine surfaces
• For use above the waterline only
• Intended for boat decks and marine walk-on areas
• Not intended for domestic household decking
• Standard shade White 10000
• Flat gloss classification in the current Product Data Sheet
• Theoretical coverage of 9.2m² per litre
• Recommended dry film thickness of 50 microns
• Recommended wet film thickness of 109 microns
• Apply by brush, roller or paint pad
• Maximum thinning of 5% by volume
• Use Hempel’s Thinner 808, product code 08081
• Hempel’s Thinner 808 is also specified for tool cleaning
• Recommended over Hempel’s Primer Undercoat
• Also compatible over Hempel’s Light Primer
• Touch dry in approximately two hours at 20°C
• Touch dry in approximately four hours at 10°C
• Ready to sand in approximately three hours at 20°C
• Overcoating interval of three to 72 hours at 20°C
• Overcoating interval of six hours to six days at 10°C
• Surface temperature must be at least 3°C above the dew point
• Relative humidity must remain below 85% during drying and curing
• Shelf life of 60 months at 25°C in original unopened containers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hempel’s Non-Slip Deck Coating 56251 used for?
It is used to create a textured anti-slip finishing coat on marine surfaces above the waterline. Typical applications include boat decks and other walk-on areas where additional traction is required.

Which substrates are compatible with the coating?
Hempel specifies glass fibre or GRP, wood and steel. Each substrate must be correctly prepared and incorporated into an appropriate Hempel primer and topcoat system.

Can it be used below the waterline?
No. Hempel specifies the coating for interior and exterior use above the waterline only. It is not an antifouling or permanently immersed coating.

How does the coating create an anti-slip finish?
Fine granules are already incorporated into the acrylic topcoat. When the coating is stirred and applied evenly, these granules create the textured finished surface.

Does the coating guarantee a completely non-slip surface?
No coating can guarantee slip prevention in every condition. The textured finish is designed to improve traction, but performance also depends on correct application, coating wear and whether the deck is contaminated by oil, fuel, mud, algae or other substances.

Does Hempel’s Non-Slip Deck Coating require a primer?
Hempel lists Hempel’s Primer Undercoat and Hempel’s Light Primer as the recommended previous coats. Bare, repaired or exposed surfaces should be primed using the appropriate system rather than treating the deck coating as a universal direct-to-substrate product.

Can it be applied over an existing painted deck?
It may be applied over a sound and compatible existing coating once the surface has been properly cleaned, dried and prepared. Loose, damaged or incompatible coatings must be removed or repaired. If the relevant maximum overcoating interval has been exceeded, roughen the surface before recoating.

Does it provide corrosion protection for steel?
Hempel identifies this product as a finishing topcoat rather than a standalone anticorrosive primer. Steel protection therefore depends on correct surface preparation and the specified underlying primer system.

How much area does one litre cover?
The current theoretical spreading rate is 9.2m² per litre at the recommended 50-micron dry film thickness. Actual coverage will vary with the surface profile, application method and normal coating losses.

Which thinner should be used?
Use Hempel’s Thinner 808, product code 08081. It is specified for both thinning the coating and cleaning application tools.

How much thinner can be added?
The maximum permitted thinning is 5% by volume for brush, roller or paint-pad application. Hempel advises keeping thinning to an absolute minimum.

How should the coating be applied?
Stir it thoroughly before and during application, then apply it evenly with a brush, roller or paint pad. Avoid applying an excessively thick film, as this can affect drying and performance.

How long does it take to dry?
At 20°C, the coating is touch dry in approximately two hours and ready to sand after approximately three hours. At 10°C, it is touch dry in approximately four hours. Drying depends on ventilation, temperature, humidity and applied film thickness.

What is the overcoating interval?
At 20°C, the minimum overcoating interval is three hours and the maximum is 72 hours. At 10°C, the interval is six hours to six days. Roughen the surface if the maximum interval is exceeded.

Can petrol, diesel or oil be left on the coated surface?
No. Petrol, diesel, oil and acetone should not be allowed to pool because their solvents can damage the coating. Remove spills with a suitable boat shampoo.

Can it be used on household decking?
No. This product is intended for marine deck applications and is not suitable for domestic or household decking.