I don't understand why you would do both, if "multi coat" is the same thing as Kool Deck then it would completely cover up the concrete underneath it. Whatever finish is on the concrete would not be visible.

I haven't heard of baking soda being used in place of salt and I'm not really sure how it would work. With a salted deck the salt is embedded in the concrete before it sets up. Once it sets, it's hosed down and the salt melts out leaving behind voids. Since baking soda is a powder I don't see how it could yield the same effect, but maybe one of the pool builders here can chime in on that.

tresw,
I am trying to aceive a look that one of the PB/owners did on here. She used stamped concrete, and then applied cool deck, and it looked great. I forget her name. But, the stamped part is killing me in price. So this is a cheaper option. And the kool deck would not, I have been told, hide all of the reliefs, it would highlight them instead.
My PB says the old salt method is out because of its corrosiveness, and they now use baking powder... same methods, but I am hoping that the baking powder leaves more of an impression look rather than a "holy" look as salt does.
I really need some pics or advice here, because once it is done, that's it.

I think you are referring to Kim in La Vegas' pool build from last year. We get too hot here to use plain or colored concrete around the pools. My DH is in the business and unless you can go see this finish in person, I would ask your contractor to do a sample board for you. Hope this helps, Barb

"My PB says the old salt method is out because of its corrosiveness"

I think hes talking about the salt generator....something completly different. Although anything will work that will leave an impression in the concrete but dissolve later, ie rock salt. Baking powder is powder and there is nothing there to leave an impression in the concrete while the concrete sets...not gonna work.

Quote: "She used stamped concrete, and then applied cool deck, and it looked great."

I can see how that would show through because stamped concrete is very high relief. But when you're talking about salted concrete it creates voids in the concrete which would not show through once the coating is applied. In fact some people do salted decking when they want a look similar to Kool Deck but without the cost. Maybe we're not talking about the same coating, here is a picture of Kool Deck:

http://www.mortex.com/images/products/kd.gif

Some of the Kool Deck clone systems even use a reinforcement grid that is applied to the decking before the coating, so that would definitely obscure any concrete texture.

Barco... my PB was speaking of the decking, but that doesn't mean he wasn't confused!
tresw... i finally found a picture of a salt deck finish, and it is not what I thought. I do not want voids in my decking, I want a seamless stamped look, w/o the cost of stamping. My PB swears the new way is to throw baking powder onto the fresh concrete, and then wash it away once set.
Anyhow, I am now leaning towards pavers w/ polymeric sanding. (refer to my ne post, asking about this)
Airborne 101, I think you are right. That was one beautiful deck, but to do that up here would cost me too much.

Baking "powder" is a "powder"....worse than that, when you add it to water, it disolves quickly and releases co2. I guess its possible that the co2 produces a bubble in the concrete or something to that effect but I have never heard of it.

Salt finish concrete looks like the surface of the moon...with pits. Theoretically, the pits fill with water from the pool thus keeping the deck cool. Unfortunately the pits also fill with dirt and sand and make cleaning difficult and frequent.

Cool deck is made from marble dust. Anybody who has put their foot on a piece of marble was release its alway cold to the touch. The marble dust has some heat reflective qualities and thus keep the deck cooler during the hot summer day next to the pool.

However, I wear thongs so it really doesn't make much difference to me.