How to Apply Epoxy Floor Coatings

Epoxy floor coatings are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners who want to protect their garage floors and/or make them look better than the old concrete they already have.

Adding an epoxy coating will leave the concrete floor protected from water damage and chemical damage for a long time. This makes it easy to keep floors clean and makes the shine last a long time.

Do-it-yourselfers can also apply a coating to their existing concrete floors, even though most of the applications are made in newly built homes.

1. First, you need to choose the coating that will provide you with the best results. Coatings can be classified into three categories: 100% solids, water-based, and solvent-based.

However, despite the fact that many DIY kits include water-based coatings, most professionals recommend not using them on your garage floors since they are designed as primers.

A coating of this type provides protection against stains, chemicals, and abrasion, but existing concrete needs to be degreased before it can be applied.

Similarly, solvent-based epoxy is often noncompliant with modern VO regulations due to the type of solvent used.

Epoxy floors coated with 100% solid epoxy are the most durable type, which is why they are the most recommended for garage floors.

It is typically more expensive than the others, but it protects the floor in high-traffic areas, from tire marks, abrasives, and chemicals. It is also highly durable, lasting up to 20 years.

You may also want to consider adding anti-slip additives to the floor, so that it won’t be slippery when wet.

2. Prep the floor.

Despite being the most time-consuming part of the process, failure to properly prepare the floor will often result in floor failure.

Concrete that has been smooth toweled will need to be roughened with shot blasting or acid washing.

Shot blasting provides better results than acid washing, which is the easier option. When you decide to do the job right, local equipment rentals should have the shot blaster equipment you require.

Many professionals, however, get sufficient results by mopping on and rinsing off muriatic acid. Filling cracks and holes is also part of the preparation process.

3. Epoxy floor coatings are typically applied with a roller, although brushes can also be used. Once the epoxy has been applied, let it cure overnight.

Apply a second coat and let it cure for another night. You may want to apply a third coat, but never less than two.

4. To increase strength and abrasion resistance, decide whether you need to add a urethane coat to the epoxy. Many people believe this is unnecessary, but you are the one who decides.

When you have moisture issues in your garage, you may want to hire professionals to apply epoxy floor coatings so that the problems can be addressed before the coating is applied.

You could end up with problems leading to a shorter lifespan for your new floor if you fail to do this.