A durable and stylish surface is the standard for every homeowner’s garage floor. That’s why when it comes to garage flooring, only epoxy will do. When applied on your own, this coating can be quite complex to work with. Especially because different epoxy brands have varying compositions. When choosing an epoxy product to coat your floor with, make sure to check the labels. Next, all you’ll need is the general prep and application procedure. This article shows you just that.
Step 1: Inspection and surface preparation
Inspect your garage floor for any dips, cracks or small holes. If there are any, make sure to patch them up prior to the coating application. You also have to make sure that the garage floor is thoroughly clean and free from any spills and grease that may affect the bond of the coating. Stains should be dealt with a pressure washer.
Step 2: Keeping the surface moisture free
Damp concrete surfaces are not ideal for epoxy coating application. Most epoxy fails are a result of too much moisture. This is because epoxy does not properly adhere to moist surfaces. Take the necessary measures to remove moisture if it is present.
Step 3: Grinding the garage floor
To ensure maximum adhesion, the floor should be ground down first. The concrete should have a textured surface, especially for polished concrete. You can either rent a diamond grinder or shot blaster to do this. Another option is to acid etch the concrete surface.
Step 4: Prep and protect other surfaces in the room
It is ideal to apply painter’s tape along the bottom part of the garage walls. This will keep the epoxy away from areas you don’t want it to be at. Make sure that the Garage is clear of any obstructions.
Step 5: Mixing the epoxy coating
For this, you’ll want to follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely. Usually, the coating will come with a hardener and a resin. These two are mixed accordingly before letting the mixture sit for around three minutes.
Step 6: Applying the epoxy coating
Start applying the epoxy with a paintbrush and even it out with a nap roller as you go. If you can get a friend to help you out, it would be better. Make sure to apply the coating in a thin and even layer. Let the coating cure as per the manufacturer’s instructions before applying a second coating.
Step 7: Applying a second coat
Apply the second coat as you did the first one. This will extend the longevity of your epoxy floors. Let the garage floor dry thoroughly. Leave it undisturbed for at least 20 hours before applying foot traffic and wait at least a week before it is ready for vehicle traffic.
There’s no denying that epoxy coating a garage floor is a tedious process. If you don’t want to go through all this trouble, call a professional contractor instead. This will ensure that the job is done right. Visit our homepage to know more.
