Applying the Epoxy Garage Floor Coverings Step by Step

If you are looking forward to installing epoxy flooring in your garage, you must know that it is tiresome, takes time and needs a lot of skill and special tools.  On the other hand, if you are a handy man and you usually take on these kinds of challenges, then by following these simple steps, you will be able to install it successfully

The first step is preparing the concrete floor for the process.  You should check if the floor already has any kind of coating on it. This is because the epoxy flooring is going to react with the old coating. So if you have a latex paint or a polyurethane paint, you will have to strip it off completely before applying the epoxy. Looking for any old grease and oil stains is also essential. You will have to remove such stains, the best way to deal with them is by using a solvent based cleaner. You can also utilize a concrete degreaser. You should also look for any rubber residue from the car tires that have been backing in and out of the garage for years. You will have to get it sanded because the normal solvents will not be able to deal with rubber residue.

The next step is etching the garage’s concrete floors. The best course of action is to etch it with a masonry cleaner or a muriatic acid. Most of the available kits provide plenty of etching products that can be used. Always make sure to follow the instructions on the kit because etching is a very important process as it will open the concrete’s pores so the new epoxy garage floor coverings can be absorbed by the floor.

After the etching process is over, it is time to undergo one last step before you can apply the epoxy, which is rinsing the floor with water. After doing that, you should leave it alone to dry completely.

Now, after the floor has been prepped, etched and washed, it is time to actually apply the epoxy flooring to your garage’s floor. Most epoxies on the market consist of three main ingredients, the epoxy resins, the catalyst and the pigments. The first thing is to calculate how much materials do you need for your project, depending on the size of your garage floor. Then you will start to mix the ingredients, according to the instructions on the kit. You should then use a roller in order to spread the mixed material on the floor. Begin at the back corner of the floor and work your way out towards the door or the exit and make sure to always leave plenty of material on it while spreading it. Make sure to work as fast as you can because epoxy has a very short working time. After all is done, leave the epoxy to dry completely and start checking it and recoat any areas that requires another layer.