Life Deck MC System Uses
The Life Deck MC System is designed for use on elevated concrete walking decks. The MC System is ideal for areas with heavy traffic or in cases where elimination of seams is essential. MC System has been designed for balconies, corridors, stairs and landings and is regularly specified for hotels, condominiums, apartments and office buildings. This product can be applied over most old deck systems to provide an excellent method for the rehabilitation of problem surfaces.
Life Deck MC System Inspection
Concrete must be clean, dry and free of grease, paint, oil, dust or curing agents. It should have a rough broom finish and be porous and feel like 30 grit sandpaper. Please refer to Notice to Customer for Deck Coatings.
Life Deck MC System Surface Preparation
Be sure the surface is clean, dry and free of grease, paint, oil, dust, curing agents or any foreign material that may prevent proper adhesion. Concrete should be cured a minimum of 28 days prior to installation and should have a rough profile.
Seams, Cracks and Flashings: Cracks should be routed out 1/4″ x 1/4″, seams should be cleaned out and both should be dry and free of debris. Life Deck Seam Tape (self adhering) should be laid out over all cracks, seams, and metal flashings. Apply Life Deck 7200 into the tape with a trowel or putty knife to smooth and then broadcast with #30 silica sand to improve the surface profile for subsequent coating adhesion. Allow to dry before the next coat.
Life Deck MC System Priming
Priming is not required over properly prepared concrete. When coating over an existing surface please check with Life Deck for any special primers or preparation techniques.
Life Deck MC System Crickets/Sloping
Sloping should always be done in concrete subsurface. It is the responsibility of the building owner and not the deck coating applicator. If sloping is requested, itshould be noted on the work order. The applicator and the manufacturer should not be held responsible for the outcome of this remedial measure to help correct the preexisting slope condition.
Crickets (reverse slope to divert water to drain) may be installed and sloping may be done using a Life Deck Concrete Patch. Concrete Patch is LD 81 mixed with LD 3 or LD 1 cement (see Life Deck Concrete Patch Specification for details). When building up over concrete, a rough profile is needed to assure bond of the material (see deck preparation). Maximum thickness should be 1/2″ and applied a 1/4″ at a time.
Life Deck MC System Flashing
Flash at the junction of the wall and deck using 4″x 4″ flashing. Flash the fascia with 2″x 4″ flashing. Use a minimum of 26 gauge bonderized sheet-metal. Overlap all seams at least 4″. Caulk between overlapped flashing as well as the seam with a Life Deck approved sealant. Nail all flashing every 4″. Smooth uneven surfaces with Life Deck 7200 and broadcast with #30 silica.
Note: If the flashing is not bonderized it must be etched or roughed up so that the coating will bond.
Life Deck MC System Patching
Combine one bag of LD-1 cement with four gallons of 1589 FM Base Resin (1 parts LD-1 to 1 part 1589 by volume for smaller batches). Mix until uniform with a jiffy mixer on a low rpm 1/2” drill motor. Trowel the mix into any voids or imperfections in the surface. You may also use an epoxy such as our Life-Deck 7200 (broadcast with #30 silica) or the Life- Deck Concrete Patch to fill imperfection. Cracks greater than 1/16″ should be cut out and filled with the Life-Deck 7200. Sand, scrape or grind all rough or uneven areas to smooth and re-apply patching material as needed.
How to Install the Life Deck MC System:
Step 1 and 2: Life Deck MC System Base Coat
Lay out the Life-Deck Fiberlath reinforcing mesh on the deck overlapping the seams. Trim to fit using a razor knife. Apply the Life Deck 1589 Base Coat into the Fiberlath 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.
Step 3: Life Deck MC System 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 1/2″ 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.
Note: If the deck coating will not be completed in one phase or if it is necessary to allow for other construction trades, the deck should be covered and protected to avoid being damaged and to keep clean. If necessary power wash the deck to dislodge any construction debris or any other foreign matter.
Life Deck MC System Optional Patterns
After the base coat is dry, you may lay out a pattern using 1/2″ or 3/4″ Life Deck pattern tape. Spray texture over tape and remove within 24 hours. This will leave an impression in the surface. The pattern can be used to enhance the look and create a tile or flagstone effect. Use MC System with Texture Concrete Overlay for other upgraded finishes. Please contact Life Deck for training on upgraded patterns & finishes.
Life Deck MC System Texture Coat
Combine one bag of LD-1 cement with four gallons of 1589 FM Base Resin (1 parts LD-1 to 1 part 1589 by volume for smaller batches), Mix until uniform with a jiffy mixer on a low rpm 1/2” drill motor. Pour the mixture (5 gallon total) onto the base coat and trowel smooth or broom at the rate of 320 square feet per batch.
One or two gallon of water 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.
The Texture coat may also be applied by rolling with a foam, carpet or loop type texture roller cover. After mixing (see Texture Coat mixing directions) pour the material out on the deck and roll the texture evenly and consistently throughout the project. Do a test area first, roll in both directions and be consistent.
Up to one or two gallons of water per batch may be added for the texturing process. You may also broadcast #20 silica sand on the surface to enhance the texture. Scrape, sand and sweep the surface before applying the Top Coat.
Step 4: Life Deck MC System Top Coat
Mix all containers of the Life Deck 10 Series or 28 Series Top Coat 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 thin coats of Life Deck Top Coat using a 3/4″ roller at a rate of 200-250 square feet per gallon. Spread the Top Coat in two directions to achieve a uniform finish.
Coverage will vary according to texture. For small areas or in locations with cool temperatures, one coat of Top Coat at 100-125 per gallon may be applied. Allow 4 to 6 hours drying time (at 70oF) before permitting light pedestrian traffic. However, for best results, allow to cure 24 hours before permitting traffic. Allow an additional 24 hours before heavy objects are placed on the surface.
Temperature/Weather
Do not install MC System if the temperature is below 55oF. Rain could wash away Life Deck acrylic products if it occurs before final cure. If inclement weather threatens, cover the deck to protect the new application. Do not allow any Life Deck product to freeze. Store material at 40oF-110o F.
Drying Time
Drying times are based on an average temperature of 70oF at 50% humidity. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity will increase drying time.
Life Deck MC System Maintenance
Most stains clean up with TSP and water. Use only a bristle scrub brush. The MC System textured deck should have annual inspections and be resealed with Life Deck top coat every 2 to 3 years depending upon ultraviolet exposure or sooner if recommend by your applicator.
Life Deck MC System Repairs
Repairs may be done by grinding off the damaged area and replacing the material as written in this specification. Subsurface must be repaired if necessary and Fiberlath overlapped to integrate into the remaining surface.
ASTM D 751
Direction #1: Breaking Strength ave. 90 lbs.
Direction #2: Breaking Strength: ave. 139 lbs.
ASTM C 297 Bond Strength
- 49.5 psi
- Elongation @ Break ave. 15.6%
- Elongation @ Break ave. 13.8%
