An epoxy coating produces a uniform and glossy texture on the garage floor. This aspect makes it a durable and easy-to-clean flooring option. The flow of cars, motorcycles, and even trucks in garages require durable, smooth surfaces. With constant traffic, it is natural for the floor to wear out. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the damage. Epoxy surfaces are resistant to the movement of vehicles. Thus, the resin can maintain the characteristics of the floor for long periods.
Preparation
When it comes to how to put epoxy coating on garage floor, the concrete surface requires adequate preparation. To ensure the adherence of the epoxy, enhance the porosity of the floor. You can handle this task using a closed-shot shot blast system. Another way to open the pores is by sanding with a specially designed machine that comes with abrasive features. If the concrete has holes and cracks, contractors apply synthetic mortar.
Rapid curing accelerates the maturation of concrete, thus reducing the waiting period. Another step is to apply the base prepared with a coat of high-adherence sealing resin.
Uniformity
Contrary to popular belief, concrete floors come with many limitations. In addition to being easily prone to cracks and dents, they can become dirty and unsightly. The first solution is to paint the concrete floor. Owners may plan to buy specific floor products capable of protecting the surface and resisting stains or stubborn dirt, such as grease and engine oil.
The paint must be applied with a roller after leveling the surface and eliminating cracks, holes, or unevenness. The surface should be uniform and compact. There is an infinite number of floor paints on the market but exercise caution when purchasing. Buyers must avoid poor quality products.
The best solution for the garage floor is the two-component epoxy. It is easy to apply (diluted in water in the quantities indicated in the instructions) with both the roller and the brush. It has excellent wear resistance and available in a wide variety of colors from which to choose.
Applying epoxy coating
The thickness of the coating can be between one and four millimeters. The surface should be free of contamination or moisture. The execution procedure starts with the substrate treatment. Correction of existing irregularities in joints is done with epoxy grout, which you should apply and sand after curing.
The resin can have a curing time of at least 24 hours. When applying the resin on painted concrete, remove all paint with sanding equipment. With the prepared substrate, you can apply the primer to the surface. The primer ensures the correct adhesion between the elements. You can handle the procedure with the aid of a smooth metal trowel to create layers of approximately 0.5 millimeters in thickness.
You have to wait 24 hours before sanding the entire surface to create grooves, which will aid in anchoring the epoxy floor layer. When applying the solution, the mixture must be uniform otherwise the result will be a flexible film with no mechanical properties.
When you apply the coating on a concrete subfloor, you must wait at least 28 days to ensure that it becomes fully cured. Subsequently, the subfloor requires sanding to produce a smooth and uniform surface. A bubble breaker helps eliminate air concentrations formed on homogenization or application. This stage always occurs in vertical movements, as if you were painting. Keeping the work area closed prevents the entry of insects and dust.
Final thoughts
To maintain the look and quality of epoxy flooring in the garage, you need to take regular care of the surface. The flooring requires waxing with automotive wax. Avoid dropping sharp objects on the coating. Surface scratches require mechanical polishing. However, if the imperfection is too deep, there is no remedy. The cleaning should be done with a cloth dampened with water, mild soap, and diluted or pure bleach. Always rinse the space in sequence to prevent leaving residues.
