Deck coating

[coachcw]

Has anyone here used Gaco deck coating ? I'm looking to coat a plywood deck over a garage . I've been looking at two part products like peraco . the gaco looks so easy to apply though and re coating seems easy . any recommendations ?

[jmscon]

I’ve used Gaco several times with good results. Make sure to use the fiberglass tape that comes with the kit for the plywood seams. After a couple of coats of the paint you don’t even notice it. I’m not familiar with the two part stuff but I feel like two part systems are less flexible.

[coachcw]

Yeah the pecora is pretty hard.the gaco looks more usser friendly for sure

[Mark Brenckle]

I have no experience with either of those, but I've heard excellent results from deck companies using spray-in bedliner. Airless sprayer applied right to the plywood. Use bondo or the fiberglass to seal seams and smooth over screw heads. If you have an adjacent wall, remove the bottom couple rows of siding and coat up the wall 6" or so to seal that seam.

[Avalanche]

I helped two friends install Gaco coating on their new decks. In the first year both had minor leaks where the railing posts meet the deck. They added extra flashing and caulking and it is in decent shape now. If you can mount your railings to the outside of the deck (not penetrating the Gaco anywhere) you will be better off.

Also, take a hard look at the plywood and framing. If there is any deflection you will have cracks in the Gaco later on. If you want some more info on this take a look at the professional deck coating business websites. Many of them describe the minimums they will apply their product to.

FWIW I'm a contractor and I wouldn't use Gaco on a client's home. But I would probably use it on my own garage deck with the idea that I'd keep an eye on it and be ready to fix it down the road.

[coachcw]

I have 4x6 posts that bolt through the face of the deck . would you remove them and coat the deck then reinstall and caulk ? thanks

[Mark Brenckle]

I have 4x6 posts that bolt through the face of the deck . would you remove them and coat the deck then reinstall and caulk ? thanks

  That one's a little more complicated, I'm sure one of the builders on here will know. Seems like any water around that would stay under the 4x6 and either leak through or rot that wood.
@lokidog maybe?

[Avalanche]

I have 4x6 posts that bolt through the face of the deck . would you remove them and coat the deck then reinstall and caulk ? thanks

This is basically the same as what my friends did except they were building new. They both installed 4x4 posts after the Gaco. The posts were screwed and caulked down to the Gaco surface. After the minor leaks they cut flashing into the posts just above the Gaco and added more caulk. Seems to be working for them now.

There are probably better ways to do it. I'd check out some of the contractor forums and read the info sheets on the Gaco website.