Coating for my deck

[erikgreen]

Re: Coating for my deck

It should. It's epoxy.

More to the point, concrete itself isn't completely rigid... it alters dimensions over time and with temperature and moisture.

I'm re-thinking my coating though... it'd take $150 or so of epoxy garage floor paint to coat my deck, or $100 of tie coat and $200 of gel coat (plus lots of work) or $200-$250 for enough two part polyurethane... not that much difference really.

Well, I have some time to think about the whole thing... I can't really paint until I can get outside in warmer weather...

Erik

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Coating for my deck

Ok..I asked EZ and he thinks I'm ok..but I'll ask it here too. Has anybody layed down EasyPoxy over Poly Resin? I know the saying.."Poxy to Poly is ok,but not the other way around" Is it the same with this stuff?

 

[PaulyV]

Re: Coating for my deck

I have seen this mentioned a few times on this forum now. My question would be....this stuff is designed for concrete. Is it going to tolerate ANY flex at all without cracking? I'm doubtful.

It says on the package not for outdoor use..puzzled me as I thought epoxy was for outdoor use. Not sure if it was a UV issue...

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Coating for my deck

You sort of get what you pay for in paint.

Most of the single part paints are low in cost, but tend to be soft and scratch or wear more easily than two part products, they don't weather as well either, so they don't look as good over time.

Two part paints do great in sunlight, last a long time and holdup to abrasion better than single part paints. They cost a great deal and have some health related issues though.


The garage floor epoxies aren't designed for out door use, most epoxies do poorly when exposed to UV light. They also tend to be low end, highly thinned epoxies that have poorer physical properties than good unthinned types.

Gel coat can be a little more difficult to work with if you haven't used it before, but not bad. It will hold very well when being walked on, do well in UV light and create a very good nonskid finish.

What it comes down to is, if you want a smooth glossy surface with less work use paint, for a non skid that is easy to apply and will last a long time use gel coat, epoxy works well if it won't be exposed to sunlight very much.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Coating for my deck

You sort of get what you pay for in paint.

Most of the single part paints are low in cost, but tend to be soft and scratch or wear more easily than two part products, they don't weather as well either, so they don't look as good over time.

Two part paints do great in sunlight, last a long time and holdup to abrasion better than single part paints. They cost a great deal and have some health related issues though.


The garage floor epoxies aren't designed for out door use, most epoxies do poorly when exposed to UV light. They also tend to be low end, highly thinned epoxies that have poorer physical properties than good unthinned types.

Gel coat can be a little more difficult to work with if you haven't used it before, but not bad. It will hold very well when being walked on, do well in UV light and create a very good nonskid finish.

What it comes down to is, if you want a smooth glossy surface with less work use paint, for a non skid that is easy to apply and will last a long time use gel coat, epoxy works well if it won't be exposed to sunlight very much.

Thanks Ondarvr..I was hoping you'd chime in.

I was at my fiberglass supply shop this morning(I could start a whole different thread about these people..they have amazing to work with throughout this project) and picked up some more glass and resin.

Anyway, he said he a Vinylester?(sp) GelCoat that is super tough, has been proven to not blister even in tough under water environments where boats are left in the water, and would be great for my application. He will help me tint the color to match the Gel coat of my doghouse and other areas and said (like others around here have said) if I want if I want to put a bit more work into it..I can sand and polish it to make it look better.

He'll give me a Gallon of this stuff which will cover my area for $50bucks. I'm probably going to go that route and support his buisness since he's been so good to me.

Just this morning he gave me 11yrds (6-1.5 oz CSM) (5- 6oz cloth) and 3 gallons of poly with Hardener and some fumed Silica for $40 I had originally bought a 5 gallon container of Poly and had a bit of it Gel up on me, and he wasn't happy at all. Said a recent batch he got was doing that, and called and gave the supplier hell. Anyway, he loaded me up and I was on my way.

Sounds like this is the way to go for a good sound topcoat.

 

[system-f]

Re: Coating for my deck

I just got done painting with easy poxy on a poly hull...well on gelcoat which is poly. It isn't really an expoxy paint and it is SUPER EASY to use. It also seems very tough as it took a beating on the sides of my boat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A9OI1WpvNo


that being said, I am tempted to gelcoat my deck if I can get it from my local supplier.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Coating for my deck

VE gel coat is tough, it won't weather as well as polyester gel coat will though, the surface will turn yellow and chalk much sooner. VE is sort of a cross of polyester and epoxy, or I should say it shares some of the chemistry of each one. Its the Epoxy side that contributes to the poor weathering.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Coating for my deck

VE gel coat is tough, it won't weather as well as polyester gel coat will though, the surface will turn yellow and chalk much sooner. VE is sort of a cross of polyester and epoxy, or I should say it shares some of the chemistry of each one. Its the Epoxy side that contributes to the poor weathering.

Hmm.. I do plan on having snap in carpet that is covering a good portion of the gel coat..and I will be storing the boat covered. Is it the sun that will cause it to turn color, if exposed to much? Is there anything I can do to prevent or prolong this from happening? Or, should I just look for a Poly Gel Coat?

Thank you for your help.


System-F..thanks for the update...I still haven't quite made my mind up yet..but the reason I'm really leaning toward the Gel Coat, is that I should be able to match up the color of my existing Gel pretty close I hope..and I think its going to be really durable.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Coating for my deck

Ondarvr- I plan on buying the gel coat tomorrow. Am I ok with the VE or should I find a poly?

Also, am I ok to roll a layer of resin on the sides of the hull where the deck meets it? Wanting to have a nice smooth surface to lay the gel over, but wasn't sure if it would crack over time because of it's brittle nature without glass.

Thanks for the help

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Coating for my deck

Ok..So I went with Gel Coat..I will work on getting the correct tint over the next few days while some weather passes through, and then lay it down next week.

A few questions..What do I need to do to the surface to prepare to lay down the Gel? My plan was to use a scotch bright pad or 220 grit to scuff the surface and then wipe it down with styrene.

Also, with the wax being added to the mix, how long do I need to stay off it?

Thanks.

 

[Marcq]

Re: Coating for my deck

One word, KiwiGrip
Enough said

Marc..

 

[sprintst]

Re: Coating for my deck

One word, KiwiGrip
Enough said

Marc..

What is your opinion on the Kiwigrip. I think I can get that locally as some dude brings it in.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Coating for my deck

A few questions..What do I need to do to the surface to prepare to lay down the Gel? My plan was to use a scotch bright pad or 220 grit to scuff the surface and then wipe it down with styrene.

You need to use a coarser grit, at least 80 for a good bond. Clean the surface with TSP before sanding and then just remove the dust with a broom, air, or vacuum.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Coating for my deck

A few questions..What do I need to do to the surface to prepare to lay down the Gel? My plan was to use a scotch bright pad or 220 grit to scuff the surface and then wipe it down with styrene.

You need to use a coarser grit, at least 80 for a good bond. Clean the surface with TSP before sanding and then just remove the dust with a broom, air, or vacuum.

Ok will do. What is TSP?

 

[bzajdek]

Re: Coating for my deck

what about tinting epoxy resin and rolling the floor, us composites sells tint for about $5 a gallon. One container might be translucent, so i might use 2 containers to a gallon of epoxy. I will be redoing my deck with epoxy anyway.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Coating for my deck

what about tinting epoxy resin and rolling the floor, us composites sells tint for about $5 a gallon. One container might be translucent, so i might use 2 containers to a gallon of epoxy. I will be redoing my deck with epoxy anyway.

Not sure about that...I went ahead and got the GelCoat.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Coating for my deck

Epoxy doesn't hold up well in sunlight (UV) it will chalk and yellow much sooner than most any other product in this application, that's why you don't see true epoxy top side paints.

A tinted epoxy resin would even have less of a chance of holding up.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Coating for my deck

TSP= Tri-sodium phosphate (sp?) Available at Home Center Good cleaner.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Coating for my deck

Ok, I'm going to be rolling in the Gel Coat in a few days. The Gel Coat is a V-Mod Gel Coat(epoxy/Poly)...The shop owner told me that with this stuff I only lay down one good healthy coat. Sound right?

I'm reading about the Gel Coat cracking when its too thick..does that apply with this Epoxy/Poly cross?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Coating for my deck

I'm sure when he says V-mod he saying its a VE gel coat, that's not something you want to use for anything that's going to be exposed to UV rays, it will turn yellow and chalk much sooner than a standard gel coat. In this case a cheaper product will do a much better job.