Whether you are adding an epoxy floor coating for a customer or doing it for your own home, prep is the most important part of the job. Coatings Hub NorCal in San Jose and Jamestown is here to help you complete your epoxy coating project correctly for a professional look that lasts for years.
Epoxy Concrete Coating: Why Do I Need It?
Epoxy coatings help seal in and protect concrete from damage. They are a simple solution for an industrial or commercial-looking floor. With simple installation methods, proper education, and technique, this is DIY friendly and a very cost-effective solution.
Test Your Concrete For Moisture Issues
Before you start cleaning the whole garage, take a few days to do a moisture test. If the concrete has excessive moisture, plan on putting a moisture vapor barrier down. We offer different options depending on the products and specifications required.
Clean Your Floor Before You Begin
Every inch of the concrete needs to be free of furniture, dust, dirt, and grease. Make sure to put aside an entire day just for Grinding and preparation, like masking and possibly removing baseboards. This is key to having a successful job completion.
- Remove Everything From The Floor
- Edged Grind & Grind The Field With 16/20 Diamonds
- Wet Mop To Completely Clean Water
- Let Dry
- Vacuum Under Edges & Entire Floor
- Apply Moisture Vapor Barrier Pigmented Or Clear
- Apply Color Coat Or Metallics
- Apply Urethane Or Polyaspartic Top Coat
Grinding Gives The Epoxy Better Adhesion
Start by Grinding the Floor, Etching is not sufficient for the type of bond we are trying to achieve. By grinding with 16/20 diamonds, it opens the pores of the concrete and profiles to a Concrete Surface Profile to a 3 or 4. This allows for excellent adhesion and higher pull test ratings, which is ideal for the strength and integrity of your coating.
Fill Chips & Cracks
Crack fill using approved materials and application methods. This means opening up the crack and either filling it with a mixture of cabosil and epoxy, using a gel epoxy filler, or using sand with a two-part urethane crack filler. These are all acceptable methods that yield desirable results. If using a specific brand, stick to the products and methods best described by the product manufacturer, usually found on Technical Data Sheets.
Start Mixing Your Epoxy Floor Coating
Congratulations! Now that you have cleared and ground the floors, wet mopped, and filled minor divots, you are prepared for the installation of the first coat, usually a primer coat, like a pigmented moisture vapor barrier to help seal in the slab. This is followed with either another color coat or metallic design. Remember to add a clear top coat for improved durability and aluminum oxide for a non-slip final surface.
Let Us Help You Get The Perfect Floor
For more tips on achieving a stunning epoxy floor coating for your home, garage, or business, visit us at CoatingsHub NorCal in San Jose or Jamestown today.
