WHAT ARE THE USES FOR LIFE SPECIALTY COATINGS AL-FLEX SYSTEM?
The AL Flex works only on plywood walking decks. It is recommended for the discriminating contractor or building owner who demands the finest in design, strength and durability. The AL Flex deck is ideal for areas with heavy traffic or in cases where elimination of plywood seams is essential. Life Deck AL Flex has been designed for balconies, corridors, stairs and landings.
It is regularly specified for hotels, condominiums, apartments and office buildings. It can be stapled through most old deck systems to provide an excellent method for the rehabilitation of problem surfaces.
HOW TO PREPARE SURFACE FOR LIFE SPECIALTY COATINGS AL-FLEX SYSTEM?
Inspection : Plywood decks must be at least 5/8” CDX exterior grade (recommended) or exterior floor grade OSB . The deck should be tongue and groove and properly blocked and nailed (glued & screwed is best) and meet local building codes. Joists shall have a maximum span of 16” apart. Slope must be a minimum of 1/4” per linear foot away from the structure.
Flashing : Flash at wall-to-deck with 4” x 4”, facia with 2”x4” drip edge, minimum 26 gauge bonderized sheet-metal overlapped at least 4” and caulked in front and back with a Life Deck approved sealant such as RainBuster™ 500 or equivalent. If the flashing is not bonderized it must be etched so that coating will bond . Nail all flashing every 4”, staggered.
Deck Preparation : Be sure the surface is clean, dry and free of grease, paint, oil, dust or curing agents. Plywood Joints and Seams Cracks or seams should be cleaned out, dry and free of debris. Life Deck Seam Tape (self adhering) should be laid out over all cracks, seams, plywood joints and at flashing. Embed Life Deck Seam Tape to the plywood joints and seams with RainBuster™ 500 or equivalent.
HOW TO INSTALL LIFE SPECIALTY COATINGS AL-FLEX SYSTEM?
Metal Lath
Place the AL lath (only hot dipped galvanized) on the plywood and cut the lath to fit the area making sure the edge of the lath does not parallel any wood seams. Lath should run across the grain of the plywood. The lath has a grain and it should be placed so that it curves down at the edge of the deck. The lath should be held back 1/2” from all edges (staple through flashing when necessary). This will allow material to be feathered with a brush. With the lath in place, staple the lath using 16 staples per square foot (minimum 1” crown x 5/8” long, non corrosive equal to Senco brand). Overlap the lath between 1” to 2”. With a hammer, pound down any seams or staples that are higher than the lath.
Base Coat
Combine one bag of LD-1 cement with 1 and 1/4 gallons (5 quarts) of LD-81 acrylic and add up to one quart of water. Mix until uniform with a low rpm 1/2” drill motor. Pour the mixture onto the lath and trowel smooth at the rate of 40 square feet per batch. Use a paint brush to spread the base coat on the flashing making sure to get the mixture into the seams and corners. Using a brush, wet with water, feather all outside edges. Scrape off any high spots or ridges that may inhibit application of a smooth slurry coat.
Crickets/Sloping
Sloping should always be done in the framing. It is the responsibility of the building owner and not the deck coating applicator. If sloping is requested it should be noted on the work order. The applicator along with manufacturer shall not be held responsible for the outcome of these remedial measures to help correct these pre-existing slope conditions. Crickets (reverse slope to divert water to drain) may be installed and sloping may be done using additional base coat (LD-81 and LD-Cement). Maximum thickness should be 1/2” and should be applied 1/4” at a time.
Note
Should deck coating not be completed in one phase or to allow for other construction trades, deck should be covered to avoid being damaged and to keep clean. It may be necessary to power wash the deck to dislodge any construction debris or any other foreign matter.
Flex Coat
Fray all outside edges of the fiberglass to insure penetration of the 1589 AL Acrylic resin. Position fiberglass over the entire area to be covered butting the seams together. Pour the 1589 AL Acrylic resin on top of the fiberglass, completely saturating it using pressure from a pool trowel or 3/4” nap roller. Coverage is at 45 square feet per gallon. After saturating fiberglass, immediately roll entire area with an aluminum fiberglass roller to eliminate air bubbles and wrinkles. All existing air bubbles must be removed before Texture Coat is applied. Air bubbles can also be removed by cutting the air bubbles open and applying 1589 AL Acrylic resin to adhere the loose fiberglass mat to the substrate.
Texture Coat
Combine bag of Life Deck LD-3 cement with one gallon of Life Deck LD-81 acrylic and mix thoroughly with a low rpm drill motor. Add up to two quarts of water to achieve the desired consistency. Using an acoustical hopper gun, spray the texture onto the deck with a circular motion to achieve approximately 80% coverage at a rate of about 150 square feet per batch. After a few moments, depending on the temperature, the texture must be “knocked down” using a 20” x 5” rounded pool trowel for best results. To avoid making impressions, the applicator should wear spiked shoes. Wipe trowel clean with a wet rag as needed. Spray continuously, do not stop in the middle of the deck.
Top Coat
Mix containers of the same color and same product (10 Series or 28 Series heat reflective) together to insure a consistent color. Product may be thinned by adding 1 pint of water per gallon to avoid streaks, especially in hot weather. Roll two coats of Life Deck Top Coat using a 1/2”-3/4” nap roller at a rate of 200-250 square feet per gallon per coat, allowing appropriate cure time between coats (2 hours @ 800F, 4 hours @ 700F. Shaded areas require longer cure times between coats or use). Spread the Top Coat in two directions to achieve a uniform finish. Coverage will vary according to texture. Allow 4 to 6 hours drying time (at 70 degrees) before permitting light pedestrian traffic. For best results, allow to cure 24 hours before direct traffic is permitted. Allow an additional 24 hours before heavy objects are placed on the surface.
HOW TO CUSTOMIZE LIFE SPECIALTY COATINGS AL-FLEX SYSTEM?
Optional Materials
Additional Top Coats: 4001 Clear water based urethane/acrylic sealer. Adds extra durability and protection to final color coat. Also available in satin finish, 4002.
Note: Please refer to individual product technical sheets for more detailed product information on all products within this specification.
MAINTENANCE + HEALTH ADVISORIES FOR LIFE SPECIALTY COATINGS AL-FLEX SYSTEM?
Clean Up
Uncured material can be removed with water. Cured material can only be removed mechanically.
Maintenance
Floors should be inspected during use for inconsequential damage and wear. Damage areas should be remediated as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the area(s). To repair, remove any loose coating and material and refer to this specification; repeat process in affected area. Clean daily using a dry soft bristled broom, dry mop, or wet mop with a floor/tile cleaner, to retain the deck looking new.
Health, Protection and Safety
Refer to individual product container labels, individual product technical data sheets, and SDS for health, protection, and safety precautions.
