Exterior paint on deck?

[snapshotmd]

Has anyone used exterior paint to protect the deck and stringers? I'm planning on using ACX 7-ply plywood for the deck and douglas fir for the stringers. Most exterior paints last 15+ years, whereas Thompsons waterproofer is only about 1-2 years. Also, since carpeting is likely to be used the glue would adhere better to the paint than the silicone based Thompsons... and the paint won't degrade from UV since it's covered with carpet. Although epoxy would be the ultimate, I don't think I need that kind of protection and thus I don't want to spend that type of $ or effort in mixing 2 parts.

So, I guess my question is, why can't I use a couple coats of exterior paint?

 

[109jb]

Re: Exterior paint on deck?

Seems like most people are opting for covering their decks with fiberglass and either epoxy or polyester resin. I am in the home stretch with my Sea Ray and did just that. The stringers got 2 layers of CSM, the bottom of the deck got 1 layer CSM and the top of the deck got 2 layers CSM. The deck and stringers are tabbed in with 1708. I also used a combination of ACX and CDX plywood. After the glass was on I used Rust-o-Leum truck bed liner and painted the whole thing for additional waterproofing. My wife wants carpet and it will be glued down on top of the bedliner.

Having said all that, if I had to do it over again I would use Pressure treated plywood tabbed in with 1708, and skip the CSM layers. I would paint everything with the bed liner and call it a day. After I had everything just about done on my boat I was at a house where they have a deck with a wheelchair ramp. The ramp was painted with roll/brush on truck bedliner. I asked the homeowner how it holds up and he told me that the ramp had been there for the last 7 years. This ramp is outside 24-7 in southeast Wisconsin. It was made with PT ply and felt solid as a rock with 16" on-center joists. The bedliner had never been touched up and it still looked good. The brand he used was the Herculiner.

 

[109jb]

Re: Exterior paint on deck?

Oh yeah. I forgot to mention that another popular option, especially with the aluminum boats is to use regular rust-o-leum paint on the deck for protection. Some put sand in it and leave off the carpet.

9 years ago I redid a Starcraft aluminum boat and used spar varnish then carpet. Held up fine and floor was still solid when I sold it about 2 months ago.