AMAC (Acrylic + Fiber lath Reinforced Combo) System

HOW TO PREPARE SURFACE FOR LIFE SPECIALTY COATINGS AMAC 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 AMAC 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 : Lay out the Life Deck Fiber lath reinforcing mesh on the deck overlapping the seams 1-2 inches. Trim to fit using a razor or knife. Apply the Life Deck 1589 Base Coat into the Fiber lath and laminate to the surface at the rate of 60 square feet per gallon. Using a razor knife cut any bubbles while still wet. Allow to dry 1-4 hours.

Slurry Coat: Combine one bag of LD-1 cement with four gallons of 1589 FM Base Resin (1 part LD-1 to 1 part 1589 by volume for smaller batches). Mix until uniform with a jiffy mixer on a low rpm ½” drill motor. Pour the mixture (5 gallon total) into the mesh and trowel smooth at the rate of approximately 256 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 wet brush, feather all outside edges. Allow to dry (1-4 hours) and scrape off any high spots or ridges that may inhibit application of a smooth slurry coat. Trim any mesh that is showing. If you apply the Top Coat at this point the pattern of the Fibermesh may show through.

Slurry Coat (second application) : Combine one bag of LD-1 cement with four gallons of 1589 FM Base Resin (1 part LD-1 to 1 part 1589 by volume for smaller batches). Mix until uniform with a jiffy mixer on a low rpm ½” drill motor. Pour the mixture (5 gallon total) onto the slurry coat and trowel smooth or broom at the rate of 320 square feet per batch. One or two gallons of water (per full mix) may be added for ease of application. Using a wet brush, feather all outside edges, seams and expansion joints. After the surface is dry, scrape or grind off any ridges or trowel marks. You may now scrape, sand or grind and apply the top coat

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 AMAC SYSTEM? 

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 AMAC 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.