Case Studies

Auto Deck Restoration – VONS Pavilions Market (CA)

PROBLEM:

In the summer of 2005 the VONS Pavilions Market in Laguna Beach, California was looking to refinish their attached parking garage. The existing 40,000 square foot deck system was holding up fairly well, but had problems with the coating splitting along cracks throughout the deck.

Laguna Beach spreads out along the Pacific Ocean, backed up by tall hills just a few miles inland and has been known for its arts community since the early 1900s. It is currently home to an art colony and art museums, and hosts a yearly arts festival. With the town’s focus on the arts, it comes as no surprise that all aspects of the town are expected to be attractive looking, including parking garages.

SOLUTION:

GacoFlex U66 Liquid Polyurethane Coating was chosen for the topcoat because it demonstrates superb color stability, ensuring the topcoat colors will not change over time. A compliant version of GacoFlex U66 was used on this job to comply with the Southern California Air Quality Management District VOC restrictions.

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS:

The four colors of the existing top coat needed to be matched to comply with an already approved design. Gaco Western Area Managers designed a coating system which would upgrade the appearance of the parking deck, while maintaining the original color scheme.

INSTALLATION DETAILS:

Gaco Western-approved applicator Innovative Painting & Waterproofing Inc. began work in September of 2005. The existing coating was shot blasted to remove debris and allow for good adhesion of the new system. GacoFlex E5320 2-Part Epoxy Primer/Filler was then applied by roller. The cracks were taped using a detail coat of GacoFlex U62 100% Solids Polyurethane Coating and GacoFlex 66B Polyester Reinforcing Tape. A basecoat of GacoFlex U62 was then spray-applied at a thickness of 32 mils. GacoShell Granules were broadcast into the coating while still wet.

To apply the GacoFlex U66 topcoat, first one shade of beige was applied over the entire deck surface with a lighter shade of beige painted in key areas; the parking spaces were painted by hand in a custom color of green and the pedestrian walkways were completed using darker beige. The work was completed in October of 2005. The tough GacoFlex system is expected to provide an attractive parking area for VONS Pavilions patrons for many years to come. “According to tenants, customer response has been very positive and the deck looks new once again.”

UPDATE:

Originally installed in 2005. In excellent condition nearly ten years later!