I'm cheap

[Freakwater]

I'm putting a floor in an older aluminum boat on a budget. Decided to go with 1/2" baltic birch (did not want to pay for marine ply). I've been coating it with spar varnish and it's beautiful. Was thinking about getting marine vinyl, but it would be a shame to cover it. Plus, I'm cheap, so I was thinking I would put a fresh coat of varnish on and then broadcast some sand over it, then cap it later with another coat of varnish. My problem is Home Depot only sells gray Columbia River sand which would look crappy. I'm thinking what I need is a white or yellow sand.

Any ideas of what to use or where to find it? Would sand blasting sand be appropriate? Grain size would be key I assume. Springers are waiting, dangit!

Any suggestions would be appreciated,
Freak

[Silver Hilton]

What about aquarium sand?

[slabhunter]

Check with your county road department to see where they get the sand used for road stripes.

[Hogback]

What you want is crystal silica sand, you should be able to find it at the hardware store. I used it to sandblast. You need the coarse stuff.
Randy

[chinookin]

Lots of red cinder rock here in central ore. Getting tired of washin the car.

[Tagster]

Try a pool supply company. They should sell a 50# bag of silica sand for around $10.00.

I think that the pool and spa house sell to the public.

Tag

[RussT]

Parr Lumber should stock silica sand, in 30 mesh and 70 mesh, you would want the 30.
RussT

[Aufish101]

Freakwater,

If you use sand, make shure it is beach sand from the coast(wash it befor using), it is finer than river sand and will make a nicer coating that will not come off.

Aufish101

[Ray S.]

Silica sand or you might want to try medium ground walnut shell. The walnut shell is a great old time non-skid and you might like the look.
Tight lines
Ray