One of the toughest and most durable finishes that you can apply to a garage floor today is an epoxy coating. Not only does it protect your garage floor, it can instantly transform your boring or ugly concrete into a professional-looking floor of beauty and function.
And since the garage has become more than just a place where you park the car, the benefits of garage floor epoxy have made it one of the most popular garage flooring options today.
In fact, it is commonly used for both residential and commercial applications. Not only does it provide protection from the elements, but it will also give your garage or workshop floor that showroom shine that says “look at me”!
Depending on which type of garage floor coating system you choose, you can select from a variety of understated colors and hues. Other options are custom colors, metallics, and blends of color flakes that match your style, home, or even your favorite sports team.
So, let’s briefly examine what an epoxy coating really is. We will discuss what the benefits are, learn how it’s applied, and some of the costs involved.
Additionally, we will provide excellent examples of where you can purchase quality coatings and DIY coating kits that we have reviewed and can recommend.
What is garage floor epoxy?
Epoxy flooring is a thermosetting resin that is applied as a coating to concrete. It is created when you mix one-part colored or clear epoxide resin with one part polyamine hardener. Hence, a 2-part coating.
When the two parts are mixed, the hardener acts as a catalyst. This creates a chemical reaction upon contact and begins the exothermic curing process. This curing process forms polymer structures that are closely cross-linked, giving epoxy its superior strength and durability.
The end result is a thick and highly durable coating that bonds tenaciously to a properly prepared concrete surface.
Along with the colored epoxy coating, you also have the option of applying decorative color flakes and a high-performance clear coat. The clear coat protects the color flakes and color coat.
This combination of coatings is known as a garage floor coating system. Commercial quality systems can last for ten to twenty years on a garage floor.
In addition, if you don’t want the traditional epoxy look, there is the option of a metallic epoxy coating.
These finishes are extremely glossy and known for their wild-looking flowing rivers of metallic color. You can even create 3-D moon-like craters if you desire.
Though metallic epoxy can look absolutely stunning for a garage, it’s not for everyone. The darker colors and extreme gloss will show every spec of debris, dust, dusty footprints, and dirty tire tracks. It’s worse when the sun shines on it.
This is why the lighter grays, tans, and color flakes are so popular. They do a good job of not showing dust and the color flakes can camouflage bits of debris and other dirt.
Are there other coatings besides epoxy?
Epoxy is not the only type of decorative coating for a garage. It just happens to be the most well-known due to the many years that it has been available.
Commercial quality, single-part DIY polyurea coating systems are fast becoming a favorite for the DIY installer. These coatings are very durable and easier to apply than epoxy.
What’s more, one-day polyurea polyaspartic coating systems are now offered by commercial installers. These are very durable coatings that cure extremely fast. The fast cure allows them to apply a complete system in just one day.
Is Epoxy and Paint for a garage floor the same thing?
This is where marketing to the consumer by national brands has caused confusion and angst. An epoxy floor coating is not paint. Big retail companies started mixing the terms when they discovered people were asking for paint when they meant epoxy.
Most paints for garage floors are latex acrylic and have a matte to satin finish. They are the least durable of decorative options.
Some may have a very small percentage of epoxy resin added to increase durability, but these are still a latex acrylic and not a coating. These are known as epoxy paints or 1-part epoxy paint.
In addition, garage floor paint and 1-part epoxy paint do not seal the garage floor as an epoxy coating does. They are designed as a single coat application. That means you apply just the paint and that’s it.
Lastly, paint is not intended for clear topcoats. Nor are they compatible with most clear coats. Many people have become frustrated to learn this AFTER they applied a garage floor paint.
Read – Don’t Fall for These Phony “Best Epoxy” Reviews!
Benefits of a garage floor epoxy coating
So, what makes an epoxy coating one of the best finishes for your garage floor? Besides looking nice, the hard and thick coating that you get from epoxy creates a decorative surface that is very durable and easy to keep clean.
It’s resistant to impacts, chipping, chemicals, stains, and surface abrasion. You don’t have to panic about damaging or staining the surface if you spill oil on it or a bicycle falls over.
The thicker coatings also do a great job of covering over minor imperfections such as small spider cracks and flaws in the concrete.
In addition, epoxy is a concrete sealer. This means that it will seal out moisture at the surface as well. This is a great benefit for people who live in snowy climates that deal with road salts and deicing fluids that can damage concrete.
Furthermore, epoxy floor coatings are easy to clean. A mild cleaning solution and water are all that are required. Dirt and debris can be collected with a dust mop or soft broom when the floor is dry.
Epoxy coatings receive high reviews from home mechanics and hobbyists as well. Since it is both chemical and stain resistant, oil, brake fluids, anti-freeze, gasoline, and other caustic car chemicals can easily be wiped up without worry – even if it sits for a while. And because epoxy is a topical sealer, it is also anti-dusting.
Lastly, the high gloss and lighter colors of epoxy reflect overhead and natural light. This results in a brighter work environment that makes more efficient use of the light available.
How well do garage floor coatings stand up to heavy rolling tool boxes, floor jacks, and jack stands? Quite well actually!
As long as any rolling steel wheels are not roughly scarred up or slid across the floor without care, they will not damage or scratch most coatings. This goes for jack stands as well.
Review the different epoxy coating options by Concrete Network
Because the thicker, multiple coat epoxy systems wear so well, warranties of up to 15 years or more for installation by professional installers is becoming common. Many manufacturers even warranty the materials against defects for the life of the floor.
Visit our garage flooring gallery to view more epoxy coated garage floors.
Are garage floor coatings slippery?
Most floor coatings are not slippery when they are dry. However, epoxy and other coatings can become slippery when wet. Typically, the more gloss a coating has, the more slippery it can be when wet.
A heavy application of color flakes can add texture to a coating and make it slightly less slippery, but it is not a substitute for an anti-slip surface. If wet grip or non-slip is a concern, then an anti-slip media should be mixed into the final coat.
Are there drawbacks to an epoxy coating?
As tough as this type of garage floor covering can be, it’s not resistant to everything.
Welding is hard on epoxy and other floor coatings. It can create burn marks from the hot slag that falls on it. In fact, metal fabricating in general can be tough on floor coatings. This is due to the tendency for heavy and sharp objects to get dragged across the surface.
If you are interested in a more utilitarian type of coating that makes cleanup easier, yet resists hot slag and grinding sparks better, then we suggest looking into this coating that we reviewed.
Epoxy and other coatings are not a good choice for garage floors that have moisture issues from below the slab. The rate of moisture vapor transmission from underneath the slab can cause coatings to delaminate if it is too high.
In addition, there is always the concern about hot tire pick up for epoxy. This is a problem that is more closely associated with the home improvement store DIY epoxy paint kits. These are usually water-based coatings that are approximately 50% solids and 3 mils or less thick.
Hot tires can cause these coatings to soften. As the tires begin to cool, they contract ever so slightly, and the tire tread grabs and pulls at the surface of the thinner coating.
This process will actually cause the epoxy to delaminate as the tire pulls it up off the floor.
As a comparison, a 90% – 100% solids epoxy cures to a minimum of 9 mils dry film thickness. Many can be applied much thicker depending on the coverage rate used.
These thicker coatings are considered commercial quality. They are installed professionally or can be purchased from concrete coating vendors online and be applied DIY instead.
Read – Why Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield and similar epoxy paint kits get bad reviews.
Lastly, epoxy is not U.V. stable. It can develop a yellow tint over the years from exposure to direct sunlight. The coating industry refers to this as ambering. Low-quality epoxy can amber within months, while high quality epoxy may take years.
One way to prevent this from happening is to install an epoxy floor system with full color flakes and a high-performance clear coat. Both color flakes and clear topcoats such as polyurea or polyurethane are U.V. stable and will not amber.
How garage floor epoxy is applied
Epoxy floor coatings can be professionally installed or you can do it yourself. A DIY installation can save you quite a bit of money in labor costs. It’s not that difficult as long as you make yourself familiar with all the steps required and plan accordingly.
The first step is proper preparation of the concrete. This is critical and the most important step for a successful coating. The process will involve either floor grinding or acid etching of the surface in order to create the necessary concrete profile.
Repairing concrete cracks or other damage at this time is highly recommended if you want an unblemished look.
High quality epoxy floor systems involve multiple coats to insure a very tough and resistant coating that will last for years.
Depending on the system being applied, an epoxy primer may be applied first.
The primer penetrates and binds to the concrete to provide the best adhesion for the subsequent thick coating layers. Some primers will also act as a moisture vapor barrier. This is for concrete floors that are susceptible to moisture vapor that moves up from the soil through the concrete to the surface.
The next coat is the thick color epoxy base coat. Sometimes referred to as the build coat, This may be applied without a primer depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Next are the optional colored acrylic paint chips. The color coat is what will receive the colored flakes and are applied while the color coat is still freshly wet.
Full color flake coatings are a popular option. This is when the color flakes completely cover the base epoxy coat. This option allows for custom blends of flake colors to provide any color flooring you want. Furthermore, it provides additional thickness and durability to the coating.
The final coat/s is the clear topcoat. It is also referred to as the wear coat. It locks in the color flakes, provides the best wear and stain protection, and creates the glossy look and depth that these floors are known for.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, All Garage Floors earns from qualifying purchases. You can read our full disclaimer here.
How much does garage floor epoxy cost?
The cost to epoxy your garage floor can vary greatly. It is determined by the type of concrete prep performed (etch or grind), possible repairs, quality of materials used, number of coats, and whether you hire a professional for installation or do it yourself.
The least expensive method for an epoxy floor is to apply it yourself.
Pricing can start as low as .27 cents per square foot. This would be for the single coat, low-budget, water-based epoxy coatings. Kits like this one from Rust-Oleum are an example. They are the least durable epoxy and not very glossy, but they are cheap in cost.
However, you can purchase a high-performance, commercial quality garage floor epoxy coating system in kit form for just over $1 per square foot. This would include an epoxy primer, high solids base epoxy color coat, color flakes, and a high-performance polyurethane clear coat.
This type of coating system in a kit will last 10-15 years or more. We highly recommend kits like this one here. It’s an excellent value for the money.
A good compromise for the budget would be a single coat of 100% solids epoxy. This company here offers a few choices of kits to fit your budget. You can also read our review.
The coatings that are easiest to apply are single-part polyurea. We did a full review of single-part polyurea here.
Don’t forget to factor in the cost for required supplies such as mixing buckets, paint rollers, cleaning supplies and etc. The advantage of the commercial quality kits is that many of these vendors include some of these supplies with their kits.
A professional installation typically starts at around $4.00 per square foot. This cost does vary and can depend on the competition in the area where you live. It will usually include a minimum of one epoxy color coat, color flakes, and a clear coat.
Cost can go up from there depending on the number of top coats required, how much color flake is applied in the base coat, and if more than one clear coat will be required. A typical 2-car garage is approximately 400ft² for reference.
Total time for a professional company to epoxy coat your garage floor is 2-3 days. You can usually park your car within 72 hours after it is finished.
The fast curing one-day polyurea polyaspartic systems start close to $6 per square foot and go up in cost from there. These are applied and finished in one day and can be driven on the next. Because of their fast cure rate, they should only be applied by professionals or those with much DIY coating experience.
Final thoughts
As we mentioned, an epoxy coating will completely transform the looks of your garage floor. It’s durable, easy to clean, highly stain resistant, and all while providing great looks at the same time.
There is one important point that we want to make. You genuinely get what you pay for when it comes to garage floor coatings. If want a budget product, you will get budget performance. If you spend a bit more, you will be rewarded with a much more durable coating.
In the long run, it will actually save you both time and money to purchase higher quality coating products – by far.
So, whether you are turning your garage into a man cave, a working shop for car repairs and projects, or just a place to park your cars, it’s hard to beat the benefits an epoxy garage floor coating system will provide.
Linda Mathijssen says
Good Afternoon,
Do you have any recommendations for contractors in Albuquerque, NM? Is there a better time of year to apply the epoxy to garage flooring in colder climates? What do you suggest for a small covered patio flooring (Southwest Sun exposure). Thank you 🙂
Shea says
Hi Linda. Unfortunately we are not familiar with installers in your area. Epoxy needs an average temperature of 55 degrees or higher during application and the curing process. A polyurea polyaspartic coating system would be a better choice for you when dealing with cold weather temps. They are also resistant to U.V. rays if you have a southwest exposure.
Bob Kart says
Enjoyed reading your information, and now a possible silly Question!!
Son lives on a boat and would like to refinish bathroom, by removing toilet, tiny tub, and use an epoxy “garage” type finish. Big question is, the floor is Marine Plywood. Is this a possibility?
Shea says
Hello Bob. Epoxy is actually common for certain uses on boats. We suggest visiting epoxyproducts.com. They are experts in the marine epoxy arena. To be honest, their website technology is extremely dated and makes for a navigating nightmare. Our suggestion is to give them a call. From what we understand, they would much rather talk with potential customers anyways to make sure they get the correct information and product.
Jane Farrell says
Hello-
I am considering an epoxy floor covering for our small veterinary office. We have a high traffic office and a low traffic exam room where small livestock patients are occasionally(sheep, pigs, goats). The exam room has a drain in the floor.
We originally stained the floor and applied a topcoat of polyurethane. The result was very unattractive because the concrete is smooth in some areas and rough in others. We ended up painting over it with Sherwin Williams floor paint with shark grip added to make it less slippery for our cloven hooves patients. The problem with this is that the surface scratches easily and attracts dirt. Even when it is just mopped it looks filthy.
I’m wondering if epoxy would be a good solution for us. Thanks
Shea says
Hello Jane. Yes, epoxy is actually very common for veterinary offices, kennels, and etc. Properly done, it stands up very well, it’s sanitary, and it’s easy to clean. You don’t want to use the store bought DIY kits, however, as they are not going to last. You will need a commercial quality, high solids epoxy. Because of the paint you currently have on the concrete, you will need to grind the surface to remove the old paint and properly profile the concrete. It may be to your benefit to have commercial installer do it for you. They would be much quicker and can put down a product that only needs 24 hours to cure before you are back in business.
Stacy says
What type of business Can I contact to do this professionally? It’s too big of a job to do it myself.
Shea says
Hi Stacy. You would need to contact a garage floor coating contractor. Google can be your friend. Search for your area. We have an excellent article on how to choose a floor coating contractor here.
Sam Chang says
I’m leaving town in a week, and will be away for 3 weeks. If I etch before I leave town, and let the floor dry in that time, do I need to re-etch when I return, or can I apply the epoxy as soon as I’m back?
Shea says
You will be fine, Sam. Etching physically changes the surface of the concrete. It cannot change back or anything like that. Just make sure to shop vac the surface when you get back in order to remove all the dust that will have collected while you were away.
Kyle says
$4sqft is way too high for an epoxy installation. $1.75 – $2.75 at most.
Shea says
I’m sorry, Kyle, but we have to respectfully disagree with you. Cost of materials alone for a commercial quality epoxy floor installation is going to run approximately $1.50 per square – more depending on options. That doesn’t include the labor for installation and overhead as well. The only epoxy installation you are going to get for that price is a lower quality epoxy, one coat job from a handyman or painter. You truly get what you pay for when it comes to floor coatings.
John says
I have a new garage. How long does the cement have to cure before I can put the epoxy on? Also do I have to do anything to the new concrete before applying?
Shea says
Hello Johh. You need to let new concrete cure for a minimum of 30 days before applying a coating. You will need to either acid etch or grind the surface of the concrete before epoxy can be applied. New concrete requires it just as much or more than older concrete since troweling of the surface tends to close the pores more.
Deb Vis says
A friend of mine has epoxy flooring in his airplane hanger. He is willing to let us hold an event in the hanger for our class reunion but he is concerned about tables and chairs legs on the flooring. I certainly do not want to damage his floor. Do you have any suggestions that we can do for the rented tabled and chairs so his floor is not damaged. For this article, it would seem to me that the flooring should be able to handle the table and chairs for one evening. But I would like your opinion.
Shea says
Hello Deb. Sharp metal edges is what can scratch coatings. For example, a metal folding chair with any edges that contact a coating can possibly cause scratches if it slides when a person sits down and scoots the chair around. However, most rental tables and chairs have vinyl or rubber foot pads and will not damage a coating no matter how much someone scoots or slides around. We suggest contacting the rental company to verify.
Gene says
Do you have a recommendation where I can purchase a commercial quality epoxy floor materials for a DIY product.
Shea says
Most are purchased online, Gene, and not from home improvement centers. EpoxyMaster, Garage Flooring LLC, Legacy Industrial, ArmorPoxy, and Garage Coatings.com are just a few.
Sherry says
Hi! We want to turn our garage into a game-room, and first thing we want to do is Epoxy on the floor. Specifically, we love the color and flooring of the picture on this page. Do you have the information for what paint and coat the floor in the picture is?
Shea says
Hi Sherry. You aren’t the first to ask that question. We’ve tried to contact the coating contractor before to find the color flake code that was used, but we didn’t have any luck. That floor consists of an epoxy primer, a high solids epoxy base color coat, color flakes to full refusal, and a couple top coats of clear polyurethane. It’s the color flake mix that give the floor it’s main color. Your best bet would be to show that image to the floor coating contractors you interview or if you are doing it yourself, show the image to the vendor you purchase your color flakes from. Also, so as not cause any confusion, epoxy is not paint. Paint is a latex acrylic product that is not very durable. Epoxy is a resinous coating. This article explains the difference.
Pilar Marquez says
We painted our garage with epoxy and for some reason it didn’t adhere well. We were told it was too hot as it was in the Florida summer.
Can it be applied again over the old one? Thanks
Shea says
Hello Pilar. If the the old coating did not adhere well, applying a new coating over the old will only make the problem worse. As the old coating peels up it will take the new coating with it. What type of concrete prep did you do before application? What epoxy product did you use? What needs to be done is remove the old coating via grinding and then apply a new coat.
Raymond says
Can I do a concrete porch with epoxy and do I need slip resistant coat on top
Shea says
Hi Raymond. Epoxy is not a good choice for a porch. The main reason is that it is not U.V. resistant and will quickly yellow. It can also begin to break down and begin to chalk. A 1-part epoxy paint would be a better choice. It’s essentially latex acrylic paint fortified with a little bit of epoxy added. Latex will not yellow and does well when exposed to sunlight. This article explains the difference. Dryloc E-1 is our favorite. Epoxy-Seal by Seal-Krete is another 1-part epoxy that offers a multitude of colors. Paint such as this will not be slippery when dry, but if your porch will be exposed to water it would be a good idea to mix in some anti-slip grit in the final coat.
Joy Butler says
You have mentioned that an epoxy garage floor coating is not a paint, however, it cures the flooring. I’m just wondering if I should just use it instead of the tiles. Any suggestion? Thanks for your help.
Shea says
Hello Joy. Epoxy does not cure the floor, the epoxy itself is what cures in order to become hard. This process begins once the 2-parts are mixed together. I’m not sure what your project is in regards to tiles, so I don’t have an answer for you there.
Don Wiedmeyer says
Hi, I live in the upper midwest, my garage floor is heavily damaged from salt dripping off the cars in winter time. Stones mixed in the concrete when originally laid are appearing on the surface from the salt damage. Over the years the smooth concrete surface has gradually worn away. Can I lay epoxy floor over this? If so what are the proper steps?
Shea says
Hello Don. You don’t want to apply epoxy over such a surface. It will not fill in the bad spots to smooth things out and look nice again if that is what you are thinking. What you need to do first is fix the spalling and pitting with the appropriate repair material. You then will need to grind the surface of the concrete in preparation for the epoxy or coating of choice. The grinding will provide the proper surface profile for a coating and will smooth out the repaired areas as well. We would suggest using a more aggresive machine such as a single disc Edco. The Diamabrush does not work as well for smoothing out larger repair areas. You are trying to accomplish the same thing as you would if you applied repair putty to a block of wood or patch repair to a car fender. You want things to blend so that it will not telegraph through the coating. As a tip, a full color flake coverage helps to hide many of the small irregularities in the surface.
John says
Hello – I have a professionally applied garage floor epoxy with a clear coat finish that is about 5 years old. I moved in about 6 months after the previous owner had it installed and do not know any other details. It has held up well in our very active snowy environment but looks like it should have another clear coat application as it is showing signs of dulling and wear. There is no flaking or peeling – just the heavy traffic areas are without luster and the clear coat looks worn. I would like to keep the epoxy from getting damaged so I thought that another clear coat layer of some sort might work. Is there a specific process or product I should use that would work the best?
Shea says
Hello John. Yes, applying a new clear top coat can rejuvenate a floor and make it look new again if the color coat has not been worn. We would recommend a high performance polyurethane or polyurea clear. A single-part polyurea is the easiest to work with. It will require that you rough up the surface with 100-120 grit sandpaper before applying the coating. A quicker method would be to rent a floor maintainer with an 80 grit sanding screen. Either way, prepping the surface in this manner will remove much of the top layer of embedded dirt and debris and create a mechanical bond for the clear coat to adhere to. After you sweep and vacuum up the dust, wipe the surface with denatured alcohol with a lint free cloth and you will be ready to go.
Janice says
We have a rough concrete floor in a barndominium that also needs leveling and smoothing to make ready for wood laminate flooring. A pretty finish is not needed, just a smoother surface. Do you think an amateur could apply the epoxy coating with success to accomplish our purposes?
Shea says
Hi Janice. Epoxy is not for smoothing out and leveling surfaces. It’s purpose is an extremely hard and durable decorative concrete coating. Concrete has to be properly prepped via acid etching or grinding in order to apply it. It sounds like what you need is a self-leveling underlayment such as this one here. These underlayments are designed to smooth out and level surfaces before applying a floor covering. They are easy to work with and come in both quick set and slow set formulas.
Lisa says
Greetings,
I would like to know if expoxy paint is a good product to be applied to a previously vinyl tile covered basement floor. The basement dry and is approximately five feet below ground.
Shea says
Hello Lisa. It can be done if they are vinyl composite tiles (VCT) and not asbestos tiles. It is not an easy job, however, and most epoxy manufacturers will not warranty for application to VCT tiles. Also, you cannot use home improvement epoxy kits. This article here discusses how to epoxy over VCT.
Leonard Causby says
I have a 2 car garage that I applied water based cement stain after etching 15 years back. The stain has held up well but is showing signs for wear. Can I apply the epoxy coating after etching again or will the cement floor require grinding?
Shea says
Hi Leonard. Is what you applied an actual stain that soaked into the concrete and stained it or was it something that provided a thin protective colored layer of stain? If it’s the former and you did not apply a clear coat to protect the concrete and make the color pop, then yes, you can etch the concrete and apply an epoxy directly over it. The stain will not have any effect on the epoxy since all it did was change the color of the concrete. However, it you applied a product that coated the concrete with a stained coloring, then you will need to grind that off in preparation for the epoxy.
gary didio says
Hi,
Do you have any specific product recommendations for DIY with my garage floor? I am experienced in doing all sorts of jobs around the house including completely finishing my basement (the inspector wanted me to teach some of the other contractors!). I am not afraid of spending the time to clean and power wash the floor, etch and apply the various epoxy coatings.
Thank you!
Gary
Shea says
Hello Gary. There are many quality vendors who sell excellent product and our sponsors are a great example. Legacy Industrial, Garage Flooring LLC, EpoxyMaster, ArmorPoxy, and Garagecoatings.com are some of those. Most of them offer a kit form that consists of an epoxy primer, high solids to 100% solids color base coat, and a high performance polyurea or polyurethane clear. That type of system is going to provide the same commercial quality as what professional installers provide (many use the same products). We suggest giving a few of these vendors a call and tell them about your project. They will make recommendation for you based on your budget and needs. Their customer service is good and they want you to have a successful project.
Dan says
Hello, can you recommend an Epoxy to use on concrete floors in a basement? The basement will have a bedroom, bathroom, etc so not the wear and tear of a garage I suppose. But I want something that looks nice and will last. I also think I want a thicker application so it feels “softer or more cushiony” when walking.
Shea says
Hello Dan. I think you may be getting epoxy coatings confused with something else. Epoxy cures extremely hard. In fact, it’s harder and stronger than most concrete.
Guy Santelli says
Hello, I am thinking of doing my 1200 sq. ft. garage with TSR Concrete Coatings in Northern Illinois. They came down from $8 to $5 a sq. ft. after talking with him for awhile. They are going to grind the floor, fix two minor cracks, apply polyurea base coat, put acrylic chips down, remore excess chips and then apply Polyaspartic top coat. They are going to do the steps that lead into the house and the 4 ledge around the perimeter of the garage. What do you think?
Shea says
Hello Guy. That is a very reasonable price per square foot for that type of garage floor coating. Just make sure they put everything they say they will perform in writing and don’t forget to ask about their warranties regarding application and defects.
Guy Santelli says
Shea, thanks for the help. You make this easy to understand and your honesty is what people need when making a decision that costs a lot of money.
Steven says
When you say “grind” the previously painted surface as a preparation, do you mean to sand it off completely, or just scuff it to provide a “tooth” for the epoxy to adhere to? And will any primer work? I am thinking of using a product called Dry-Lok which will block out any possible moisture coming up from under the concrete slab. Or does it have to be a specific primer that epoxy will better bond to?
Shea says
Hi Steven. If the concrete has an acrylic latex paint or 1-part epoxy paint then the it needs to be removed completely via grinding. Paint does not adhere nearly as well as an actual 2-part epoxy or similar coating. The coating system is only as good as what it is adhered to. If it is applied to paint, then it will still peel up just as easily since it’s the paint that is adhered to the concrete and the actual coating. The type of primer you want to use for a quality high solids coating is an epoxy primer. Primers are not used for the lower solids DIY epoxy paint kits. If you suspect possible moisture issues, there are moisture vapor blocking epoxy primers that can be used as well. You do not want to use DryLoc. It is an acrylic latex paint and is not compatible with epoxy or similar coatings. Also, it will not adhere as well either. This article explains the differences between paint and epoxy.
Rune Harboe says
Do you have any recommendations for contractors in Georgetown TX area? We would like installation made by a professional. What time of the year would be the best for installation in our area?
Shea says
Hello Rune. No, unfortunately we don’t have that kind of information. However, we do have an article here that talks about how to choose a floor coating contractor. What time of year you have a coating installed is sometimes dependent on what type of coating that you choose to go with. Coatings that use epoxy need weather above 50 degrees during the application and curing process in most cases. If you choose to go with a 1-day polyurea polyaspartic application, then weather isn’t much of a factor.
Chris says
Great Blog!! Have you heard of this company called epoxy2U ? I got a quote from an installer who is their distributor as well. But the epoxy2u website has product literature but not much info about the company itself. Is it a reputable manufacturer? https://www.epoxy2u.com/
Shea says
Hello Chris. We can’t tell you how long Epoxy2U has been in business, but we can tell you that their internet presence with their entire product line is fairly new. We reviewed the data sheets for some of their products. They seem to provide quality commercial grade coatings.
What we would be more wary about would be the installer. Epoxy2u follows a business plan that is similar to another floor coating manufacturer in the Los Angeles area. Epoxy2u provides limited training classes for people to start their own floor coating install business and then these installers use Epoxy2U as their supplier. We know from reported past experiences that some consumers have had issues with these type of installers and the quality of their work. Issues ranged from poor installation practices, to operating without a business license and/or proper insurance. Of course not all installers who have been trained in this fashion are inexperienced or lack proper business credentials. Some can be quite good. I suggest reading our article on how to choose a floor coating contractor and use some of these principles to ask your installer some basic but important requisite questions. You will get a better idea if this person/company is the one for you or not.
Eugene says
Hello Chris
Yes, Epoxy2U very reputable supplier. We have been using their materials during the last 2 years. High-quality resins and technical support.
Chris says
Thanks for your quick response. I was worried about the same. The guy has videos that all started only 3months ago as well. He claims he is training other guys around in the area. I will find out more info. I also spoke with the local franchise of Garage experts which offers lifetime warranty on garage floors and cabinets. He claimed they use garage experts proprietary stuff and comes with life time warranty and he seemed knowledgeable. If you have any experience with Garage Experts, do let me know. Thanks.
Shea says
It sounds like you are learning the process, Chris. Just follow many of the suggestions in our article about choosing contractors to help you pick the right one for you. Garage flooring has become very popular for home owners in the past years and as a result there are a lot of brand new start ups and installers trying to cash in on the business. You get what you pay for as well. If one guy is saying he can do a particular type of coating for a lot less than someone else, then there is a reason. They are either cutting corners, materials, or both. Rely on references if necessary and make sure they are licensed.