Exterior paint for deck

[snapshotmd]

Has anyone used exterior paint to protect the deck and stringers?  I'm planning on using ACX 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?

[Chris W]

I own a Paint store and have been in this business for 22 years, you do not want to paint your deck. Paint lays on top of wood does not penetrate just walking on it will wear it off, throw in the sun and water and you will be lucky for it to last 1 to 2 years. The best thing you can put on a Deck is a penetrating stain I know that it will not last very long but it seals and preserves the wood. Cabot makes a good one or if you do not mind spending the money the Sikkens Dek is my favorite just to warn you though it is about 75 a gallon. Now you can paint anything that you are not going to walk on but I recommend a product made by Zinnser called Okon to add to the paint to help it's water resitance.

[snapshotmd]

What do people use on their porches?  You know, like the farm houses that didn't use pressure treated lumber?  

[Chris W]

On a covered porch on oil based floor paint will hold up as long as you do not have pressure treated lumber. A covered porch has shade from the sun and rain. The problem with pressure treated is that is cracks and splits there is no way around that unless you own a kiln and can completely dry the wood before you put it down. When it cracks and splits the integrity of the paint film is broken as soon as that happens peeling starts, that is why you want a penetrating stain for a deck or in this case a dock. Hope this helps. Chris  

[snapshotmd]

Chris, thank you for your comments. However, you may have mistook ACX meaning pressure treated wood. The plywood I'm using is NOT pressure treated. It is an exterior rated plywood which is intended to be protected with paint, waterproofer, spar varnish, etc. If left alone it WILL rot.

I'm planning on putting down carpet on this plywood in my boat.  I'm thinking the glue and carpet will protect the plywood deck from the sun. As for the rain, the carpet would probably make that worse, so I figure I'd keep the boat covered when it rains and uncovered (somewhat) when it's not raining to keep the boat dry.

[bass or bass ?]

Here's how to treat your wood.After all your pieces have been cut to size and properly shaped, mix fiberglass resin and dilute it to a watery consistancy with acetone. Paint this on every surfaceof your wood. Apply 3 or 4 coats, then apply 1 full strength mix coat. The diluted mix will soak into the wood, then the acetone evaporates, leaving the wood permeated with fiberglass resin. Lightly sand the surface that you wish to carpet before applying the carpet adhesive. Use a roller when installing the carpet to get it smooth and bubble free. I used a large rolling pin for baking when I did my boat restoration project.

[nrgeek]

Paint just wont cut it .. it needs to be at the very least coated with polyester resin and a layer of 1.5oz mat on both sides, and resin on the edges as well.. Better yet and longest lasting is Epoxy Resin, such as west system, and layer of woven cloth over that and another caot of epoxy .. epoxy is the only way to water proof, paint will not do it on bare wood!!

[cart7t]

Exterior paint?

No way.  You're putting non-treated wood into a potentially damp-all-the-time enviroment.  Paint would peel off in weeks exposing your wood to moisture which would cause it to warp.  You'd have a nightmare on your hands along with a whole lot of wasted time and materials.  

[nrgeek]

Here's how to treat your wood.After all your pieces have been cut to size and properly shaped, mix fiberglass resin and dilute it to a watery consistancy with acetone. Paint this on every surfaceof your wood. Apply 3 or 4 coats, then apply 1 full strength mix coat. The diluted mix will soak into the wood, then the acetone evaporates, leaving the wood permeated with fiberglass resin. Lightly sand the surface that you wish to carpet before applying the carpet adhesive. Use a roller when installing the carpet to get it smooth and bubble free. I used a large rolling pin for baking when I did my boat restoration project.

Resin by its self is just slightly better than paint, resin without glass will still crack and let moisture it over time.. and will not last much longer than paint. The polyester resin has no strength and still absorbs water. Even with cloth it still absorbs some water... very little, but still does.. the mat or cloth keeps the resin together and walking on it will wear it thin even with carpet, and the wood will swell and shrink just as a wood door does  .. epoxy is the ONLY thing that will keep the water out, but it still needs woven cloth to hold things together.

Taking the cheap way out will only cause you to do it again in less than a year.. and dont just lay new wood over the old floor.. and screw it down.. your only making it harder and wasting money and time.. do it right the first time and forget it!

[bass or bass ?]

Here's how to treat your wood.After all your pieces have been cut to size and properly shaped, mix fiberglass resin and dilute it to a watery consistancy with acetone. Paint this on every surfaceof your wood. Apply 3 or 4 coats, then apply 1 full strength mix coat. The diluted mix will soak into the wood, then the acetone evaporates, leaving the wood permeated with fiberglass resin. Lightly sand the surface that you wish to carpet before applying the carpet adhesive. Use a roller when installing the carpet to get it smooth and bubble free. I used a large rolling pin for baking when I did my boat restoration project.

Resin by its self is just slightly better than paint, resin without glass will still crack and let moisture it over time.. and will not last much longer than paint. The polyester resin has no strength and still absorbs water. Even with cloth it still absorbs some water... very little, but still does.. the mat or cloth keeps the resin together and walking on it will wear it thin even with carpet, and the wood will swell and shrink just as a wood door does .. epoxy is the ONLY thing that will keep the water out, but it still needs woven cloth to hold things together.

Taking the cheap way out will only cause you to do it again in less than a year.. and dont just lay new wood over the old floor.. and screw it down.. your only making it harder and wasting money and time.. do it right the first time and forget it!

I did use fiberglass cloth and resin for the final application before carpeting, I just forgot to put that in my post. Oops. my mistake.