Epoxy coating a garage floor

What is an epoxy coating?

An epoxy coating is a compound chemical mixture consisting of two elements. They combine to form a thick, tough finish you can apply to a wide variety of surfaces to protect them and make them look more attractive. The two primary components of an epoxy coating are epoxy resin and a catalyst that is a polyamine hardener. Epoxy coatings for concrete floors are commonly used in Australia as a durable, attractive epoxy garage floor coating.

What does an epoxy coating do?

An epoxy coating protects surfaces and adds a nice shine. It can help surfaces resist heat, corrosive chemicals, ultra-violet rays, abrasions, scuff marks and signs of wear and tear. The coating adheres well, is stable and very tough when used on concrete, fibres, glass, metal or any other type of material. An epoxy coating is easy to use when applied to a cement floor. It dries quickly, strengthens the floor, creates an attractive finish and helps prevent leaks and cracks.

Benefits of an epoxy coating for a garage floor

When used on the floor as garage concrete paint epoxy, the coating can provide a wide range of benefits. They include improved:

Appearance

A garage floor epoxy coating can dramatically improve the garage floor’s appearance by giving it a smooth, shiny, aesthetically-pleasing look.

Affordability

The epoxy coating is relatively inexpensive and only requires one coat to provide full coverage and protection benefits.

Durability

An epoxy coating is durable enough to protect garage floors from wear and damage from car tires, foot traffic, spills, moving equipment and tools and more.

Longevity

Epoxy floor coatings can last for up to 30 years. Some say it lasts a lifetime.

Protective

A thick coat of epoxy can protect any garage floor from spills, scratches, cracks and much more.

Resistant

An epoxy coating resists dramatic temperature swings, heavy equipment, rubber tires,

inclement weather, corrosive chemicals and cracking when heavy items fall on it.

Epoxy flooring requirements

There are a few epoxy flooring requirements when applying the coating to garage floors.

They include:

1. Paint Roller/Brush: To apply the epoxy to the garage floor
2. Paint Tray: To hold a manageable amount of epoxy at a time
3. Bucket: To mix the epoxy in
4. Rubber Gloves/Boots: To help protect hands and feet during the process
5. Safety Goggles: To protect the eyes from dust, fumes and splashes
6. Acid: To remove stains, oil and more and clean the floor before using the epoxy
7. Epoxy: To coat, protect and beautify the garage
8. Rags: To clean up before, during and after putting down the epoxy

How do I apply epoxy to a garage floor?

An accurate, comprehensive dilapidation report requires the garage floor to be thoroughly inspected before and after applying an epoxy coating to it. The report must describe the garage floor’s condition and list existing damage to the floor’s surface and its infrastructure. It should list all aspects of the garage or nearby property the epoxy coating process might affect.

Preparation

For the best epoxy coating results coating the garage floor must be adequately prepared.

All holes must be filled, damaged areas patched, moisture removed and check concrete is sealed and free of cracks.

Clean

Thoroughly vacuum the floor to remove all dust, dirt and debris. Pressure clean and degrease the floor to remove all oil and grease spots.

Wash

Acid etching can help ensure all dust and grease and oil spots are removed. Spread an acid solution on the floor evenly and use a stiff bristle broom to work it into the floor. Leave it for about 10 minutes; then power wash the floor. Once you acid wash and hose down the floor and it’s dry, vacuum it to ensure all residue is removed.

Tape

Put painter’s tape or duct tape along the base of the garage door as a boundary within which the epoxy will be applied. Once you tape up the walls and edges, you are ready to paint on the epoxy coating.

Mix

To mix the epoxy properly, open the cans of the epoxy paint and the epoxy hardener. Stir the epoxy for a minute, then slowly pour in the hardener. Make sure all of the hardeners are added to the epoxy. Blend the two components thoroughly for about 3 minutes

using a drill with a stirring bit attached. Put the lid back on the can loosely and let it sit in the shade for about 30 minutes. As the chemicals react with each other,

the can might be warm to the touch.

Cut

To cut in the floor’s edges, pour some epoxy out into a roller tray. Next, dip a 3-millimetre paintbrush into the epoxy. Brush on a 4-millimetre line of epoxy around the edge of all the walls and into the seams and corners of the garage floor. This will create a border around the area to be covered with the epoxy coating.

Apply

Apply the epoxy to the garage floor using a 9-millimetre wide roller that has a 3/8 millimetre nap and is attached to a 2 metres long pole. Put the roller into the tray and roll it until epoxy covers only the roller’s bottom half. Start in the corner that is farthest from the exit and apply the epoxy to an area that’s about 1 square metre using a large ‘W’ pattern. Carefully move the roller back and forth to fill the entire area without leaving roller marks. Continue to cover the floor in corresponding sections, slowly working towards the garage door.

Flakes

When putting flakes on the epoxy, sprinkle them on each section while it’s still wet. Grab a handful and sprinkle them liberally on the floor. Some flakes come in containers with ‘shaker’ tops you can use. Practice your sprinkling or shaking technique outside the garage on a tarp. Then carefully apply and let the floor dry.

How to hire a flooring professional

Not everyone can do DIY epoxy floor installation. If the task is too large, hire a flooring expert. When looking to hire a professional to put down an epoxy coating on your garage floor, ask family, friends and neighbours for referrals. You can also do some research on the internet or ask for recommendations at local hardware stores that sell epoxy flooring supplies.

Licensing and qualifications

Make sure the person you choose to put down the epoxy coating on your garage floor has the proper license and qualifications.

FAQs

How long does garage floor epoxy last?

Epoxy covered floors have a lifespan that’s longer than many other types of flooring. When appropriately installed, epoxy coatings can last for decades and not crack or peel. The epoxy floors stand up so well; professional installers now offer warranties of as long as 15 years or more on their work. The floors look so bright and attractive a growing number of homeowners in Australia now opt for a DIY epoxy floor in their garages. An epoxy coated garage floor is smooth, even and nothing sticks to them. That makes cleaning epoxy garage floor easy.