The garage floor takes a lot of beating over time. But, you can protect it with garage floor epoxy coating. It is a durable surface coating that provides aesthetic appeal and a stain-resistant garage floor.
Most importantly, it is simple to apply and long-lasting. Here are the steps it takes to apply epoxy coating on garage floors.
Investigate the Surface
Before you start the process of coating, it is crucial to ensure the floor is clean and smooth. If it has a pre-existing coating that’s peeling off, remove it properly. You have to strip off the previous coatings using a chemical stripper that works effectively on polyurethane and latex floor paint. This will take a lot of work, from buying materials you need, and the job itself, so you should be prepared for this project. But, if you want an easy job done, you can hire experts in Epoxy Flooring Chicago to completely achieve the interior you want.
Prepare the Floor
The next essential step in the process of garage floor epoxy coating is surface preparation. Often the garage floors have a lot of dirt, grime, and stains. You have to remove these stains with an industrial cleaner. Also, if there are holes or cracks on the surface, fix them up.
The concrete cracks need 60 days to smooth out before applying the epoxy. Remember, any amount of dirt can interfere with adhesion and cause uneven patches on the floor. So, take your time to clean it up and etch the floor. As the process involves chemicals, it is always a better choice to ask the experts to do the installation work for you.
Time It Properly
Timing is an essential consideration in the application of epoxy floor coating. It is always advisable to apply the coat at a temperature ranging from 50-80 degrees. Also, ensure there is no moisture or humidity on the floor.
So, application in rainy weather is also not advisable at all. If you go for garage floor epoxy coating in extremely hot or cold weather conditions, it may start peeling or bubbling.
Apply the Coating
When everything is perfect, it’s time to start applying the epoxy. You need to mix the paint and pour it in the hardener to blend it well. After the chemical settles down, start moving the application from the borders of the garage. Use a roller having an extension handle for this purpose.
Work in a grid pattern and maintain even lines on the floor. If you want to apply double coats, allow the initial coat to settle and dry for at least 12 hours. For adding color flakes or other chips, do that when the paint is wet and fresh.
Apply the Second Coat
After allowing the initial epoxy coat to dry for 12 hours, you may start applying the topcoat as well. It involves the same steps as above. If you plan on adding anti-skid granules to the coating, you can do that at this stage.
Usually, the topcoat carries a milky texture that becomes clear and transparent after drying. Let it settle and dry for at least 24 hours before allowing foot traffic and 72 hours before you pull your car in the garage.
Since all these steps entail chemicals and intricate application patterns, you should prefer working with professionals. They can ensure the exact look that you want along with smooth application and durability on the floor.