The best garage floor coating kits, also known as epoxy paint kits, are not what you may think. If you were expecting a comparison of Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield, Quikrete, Valspar, RockSolid, or some other kit you’ve seen at your local home improvement store, then you may be in for a surprise.
The best garage floor coating kits are the newer single-part polyurea coatings. They are the easiest to apply, longer lasting, and offer the best protection.
Not familiar with polyurea garage floor coatings? No worries, the majority of other people aren’t either. Consumers who want to apply a DIY coating to their garage floor are commonly familiar with the term “garage floor coating kit”, “epoxy paint kit”, etc. When they are using these terms, they are generally thinking about epoxy coatings and the above-mentioned products.
Why? The reason is simple. These types of kits have been marketed and promoted for many years by the large companies that manufacture them. Rust-Oleum is a good example. These are the typical DIY garage floor coatings. They are designed to be applied in one coat with the optional decorative color flakes to toss on top.
In addition, they are typically packaged in an eye-catching box that includes the coating, a small bag of color flakes, and an ECO-friendly etch/cleaner solution. It’s not everything you need to get the job done, but they like to use the word “kit” to sound all-inclusive for marketing purposes.
These are most prevalent in the home improvement centers and hardware stores where they are seen on a regular basis. As a result, this is all the average consumer is aware of in terms of coating choices in many cases.
The problem with most of these garage floor epoxy products, however, is that they are on the low end of the scale in terms of quality, durability, and performance. This is particularly true when compared to the vast majority of garage floor coatings available.
We suggest reading this article here to understand more of what to expect with these types of coatings. In addition, we have a new article that explains the reasons behind the bad reviews of garage floor coatings.
Now that you know the history of these epoxy paint kits, let’s discuss what makes the newer single-part polyurea garage floor kits so much better.
What is a polyurea coating anyway?
Put simply, polyurea is a subset of polyurethane. It is a coating that seals and exhibits excellent chemical, stain, and abrasion resistance. The high elongation rate of polyurea makes for a flexible (relatively speaking) surface.
Coatings that flex provide very high abrasion and scratch resistance. This is one of the reasons why polyurethane and polyurea are much better topcoats than epoxy for most environments.
Polyurea is actually fairly new for a coating. It was commercially developed in the 1990s and was most known in the industry as a spray-on coating for bed liners, pipe linings, water tanks, pool coatings, etc. When mixed with a catalyst in a sprayer it can cure in as little as 5 seconds. It can also be applied in extremely cold and warm temperature conditions.
It was later developed as a 2-part polyurea polyaspartic roll-on concrete floor coating. This version has become very popular with many garage floor installation companies. The cure rates of less than two hours can provide a 1-day return to service for a complete garage floor coating system.
This is sold as an advantage over a standard epoxy garage floor system. Most epoxy systems require a minimum of three days to cure before full return to service.
The high solids 2-part formulas used for these garage floor coatings are expensive though. It requires experienced installers to apply properly due to the short working time (pot life) of only 20-25 minutes. This is why it has not been popular for DIY applications – that is until recently.
Why single-part polyurea coatings are better than epoxy paint kits
One particular formulation that has been introduced to the floor coating industry in recent years is single-part polyurea. Most polyurea formulas require mixing together a part-A resin and a part-B catalyst – just as epoxy does.
Single-part polyurea, on the other hand, does not require the mixing of two components. Instead, the oxygen in the air provides the catalyst that the coating requires to chemically cure.
Single-part polyurea is a commercial quality garage floor coating that is the easiest of all coating to apply – period.
With the addition of solvents in these formulations, manufacturers have created an extremely durable polyurea garage floor coating. It does not require the mixing of A and B components, has unlimited pot life, and can easily be applied to concrete.
Many of the mistakes from DIY epoxy coating applications generate from improper mixing of the A and B components. The anxiety of this mixing process is a common deterrence that causes some people to shy away from installing epoxy in their garages.
RockSolid has tried to eliminate mixing mistakes with the introduction of burst pouches to mix A and B components, but problems still exist. The single-part polyurea coating completely eliminates this step and greatly reduces the chances of DIY installation errors.
To be more concise; Single-part polyurea is a commercial-quality garage floor coating that is the easiest of all coatings to apply – period.
Furthermore, the typical epoxy coating and garage floor coating kits, as mentioned above, is no match to the superior durability, chemical resistance, scratch resistance, and abrasion resistance of single-part polyurea coatings.
As an example, commercial quality coatings provide a list of ratings based on testing. You can find these ratings as well as other pertinent figures in the Technical Data Sheets. This is what allows consumers to compare and evaluate how coatings will perform.
Abrasion resistance and chemical resistance are two standard tests that can provide very good information.
The example below is a chemical resistance chart that lists how a particular product will react to a variety of liquid chemicals including acids and solvents.
You can’t find this kind of information for your typical epoxy paint kits by Rust-Oleum, Valspar, H&C ShieldCrete, RockSolid, etc. It’s not listed. Instead, they use very vague terminology such as “anti-peel protection”, “2x stronger than concrete”, “hot tire resistant formulation”, and “long-lasting results”. They do not provide any testing data to back up these claims.
To their credit, RockSolid actually provides an abrasion resistance rating, but they do not provide chemical resistance data. The rating they provide for abrasion resistance is 40mg. This is how much material is lost during 1000 cycles for a CS-17 abrasion wheel test. The lower the abrasion numbers the better. As a comparison, many single-part polyureas test at only a 12mg loss.
Important to note is that each mg unit of loss is exponential. For example, a coating with a 4mg loss compared to a coating with an 8mg loss would last 3 times as long in terms of wear under the same conditions – not 2 times as long as most would assume.
Now, can you imagine how much better a 12mg loss coating performs than a 40mg loss coating when it comes to wear and abuse?
Additionally, polyurea is U.V. stable whereas epoxy is not. This means that your coating will not amber (yellow tint) over time when exposed to sunlight. This is a typical complaint about epoxy paint kits.
Coating thickness is another issue. Most DIY epoxy garage floor kits have a dry film thickness of only 2-3 mils when applied at the standard coverage rates. Thin coatings such as these can sometimes create cosmetic issues with the color looking inconsistent and blotchy. This is due to the coating being absorbed at different rates into the concrete.
Single-part polyureas on the other hand have a 4-6 mil dry film thickness. The thicker coating makes for a more durable surface and is less prone to color inconsistencies.
Benefits of single-part polyurea coatings
- No mixing of A and B components
- Long working times so you don’t feel rushed
- Recoat times as little as 2 hours versus 10-12 hours
- No primer required
- Can be applied in lower temperatures – most epoxy paint kits require a minimum of 60°F
- Over 50% thicker coating than standard epoxy paint kits
- Long lasting – 10 years or more versus 2-5 years for standard epoxy kits
- No hot tire lift – water-based epoxy kits will get hot tire lift
- 100% U.V. stable for no yellowing – epoxy kits will turn yellow over time
- 100% more flexible than epoxy for superior scratch resistance
- Higher gloss ratings than most epoxy kits – maintains gloss longer
- High chemical and abrasion resistance – data not available for epoxy kits
- Excellent protection against road salts and deicing fluids
- Can be used as a clear sealer over bare concrete or stained concrete
- Available in both gallon and quart sizes to modify for any square footage
Single-part polyurea coatings can be used as a one-coat stand-alone system if you like. You can add color flakes or not just like the standard epoxy paint kits. You also have the option of adding a clear topcoat of polyurea for a two-coat system. This can allow for a full color flake floor of your choosing to get a real custom look.
Another advantage is that single-part polyurea is available in gallon and quart sizes. This allows you to order only what you need for your square footage to avoid overspending.
Most garage floor coating kits only allow for purchases of 250ft² at a time. If you have a 550ft² garage floor, for example, you would need to purchase three kits. There is no way you could stretch out two kits for the 550ft² without cosmetic and performance issues.
Concrete preparation is the same with single-part polyurea as it is with any other epoxy coating kit. You need to etch or grind the concrete to create the correct surface profile. This will open up the pores of the concrete at the surface in order for the coating to penetrate and achieve a mechanical bond.
One characteristic of single-part polyurea you need to be aware of is that it is solvent-based. There will be some strong fumes during application. Most of the smell from the fumes dissipates within a few hours though as the solvent evaporates out of the coating.
As with any solvent-borne coating, it’s not uncommon if it takes a few days for the smell to completely diminish. However, it will go away.
Polyurea coatings can also be more slippery when wet compared to epoxy. The curing process produces a tightly cross-linked structure that smooths out almost like glass. This is one of the reasons it cleans up so easily and is very difficult to stain.
If you live in a wet climate or worry about the floor being slippery, we would suggest adding an anti-slip additive to the final coat.
Additionally, they are not the best choice if you have a concrete surface with numerous cracks and/or surface irregularities either. Though thicker than their epoxy paint counterparts, they still are not thick enough to fill in such surfaces. A high solids or 100% solids epoxy is a superior candidate since they are better at self-leveling with a dry film thickness of 9-10 mils and higher.
Lastly, some single-part polyureas are packaged in clear only. They require that you mix in a pigment pack for the color you choose. However, this is not the same as mixing 2 components together. You just pour in the pigment pack and mix it with a paint stick. This does not activate the coating, nor does it mean you have to start immediately applying it after you mix in the color packs.
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Where to purchase polyurea garage floor coating kits
One of the best advantages to purchasing a single-part polyurea is that they are currently only available from vendors who specialize in concrete coatings. These are the same companies where professional installers buy their coating materials.
Legacy Industrial was one of the first vendors to offer a single-part polyurea in a DIY application. Called Nohr-S, we were so impressed with the coating that we wrote an article about it.
Price and Purchase Nohr-S Coating Kits Here
Some time afterward, ArmorPoxy made their SPGX polyurea available to the public as well. One of our readers in Chicago applied it to his garage floor and we did an article about the process here.
The latest to offer a polyurea coating in kit form is Garage Flooring LLC. Customer service is excellent and they would be more than happy to help you out and answer your questions. You can read our latest evaluation of their All Weather Floor polyurea.
Price and Purchase All Weather Polyurea Here
Unlike home improvement centers, these vendors are experienced in garage floor coating applications and are extremely knowledgeable. They want you to be successful with your project. Customer service is excellent in most cases and they can answer any questions that you have about the product and application.
They are also very good at making sure you understand what you are purchasing. They will tell you if the product you are interested in is the best choice for you or not. We highly recommend contacting these vendors with any questions you may have before making a purchase.
Important to note is that these vendors are not national brand companies with brick-and-mortar stores that you can walk into. Products and materials are ordered online via their websites and then shipped directly to you. With some exceptions, most of these companies ship for free as well.
Though the coatings don’t come in a neatly packaged box with nice artwork and graphics, they can provide everything you need in true kit form for a successful application.
you would have to purchase and go through the process of reapplying an average of four water-based epoxy paint kits over the life of just one single-part polyurea coating.
Cost per square foot for a single-part polyurea coating averages about twice that of the lowest-priced, water-based epoxy garage floor kits. RockSolid polycuramine and the solvent-based Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield Professional coatings are priced midway between.
1 gallon covers approximately 250ft², the same as most epoxy paint kits. SPGX by ArmorPoxy covers 300-400ft² per gallon, but the additional square footage is reflected in their price point.
Though the initial cost of single-part polyurea garage floor coating is higher than the typical epoxy paint kits, they are a much better value. This is particularly true when you carry that expense out over the many years of use.
For example, you would have to purchase and go through the process of reapplying an average of four water-based epoxy paint kits over the life of just one single-part polyurea coating.
Are polyurea garage flooring kits the best of all garage floor coatings?
One important question that people want to know is how single-part polyurea coatings compare to other garage floor coating systems available. Is it better than epoxy? Is it better than polyurethane? Is this the best garage floor coating I can apply?
A single-part polyurea garage floor coating kit and/or system is the best choice for those that want a professional-looking, commercial-quality coating. It is the easiest to install and at a reasonable price point.
They deliver excellent performance and long life. They are best for the typical residential garage that will see light to medium-duty automotive repair and medium to heavy traffic. This includes inclement weather conditions and other hobby or home improvement projects that are performed in the garage.
Application is easier than epoxy paint kits. They will not experience the potential peeling, hot tire lift, color fade, and wear over 2-5 years that is typical of such kits.
However, in terms of ultimate performance and durability, nothing really outshines a hybrid coating system. Such a system consists of an epoxy primer, a high solids epoxy color coat, and one or two coats of a high-performance polyurethane or polyurea topcoat. We discuss the best garage floor coating systems here.
Final thoughts
Needless to say, we are impressed with this product. Hands down, single-part polyurea is the easiest of all coatings to apply while still performing to commercial quality standards. It delivers excellent protection and performance at a very reasonable price point.
The large companies that provide inexpensive epoxy paint garage floor kits have been relying on relatively older epoxy coating formulas for years. We would not be surprised if one of them doesn’t come out with their own version of this polyurea in the near future. It would eliminate many of the complaints about their products.
Until then, the biggest problem that single-part polyurea will face is a lack of exposure to the general public. The smaller companies that sell the higher-performing garage floor coatings do not have the budget for the type of national advertising that is required.
Though it’s not the cheapest garage floor coating, for the value it’s one of the best DIY garage floor coatings available that you can purchase in kit form.
Stan Temple says
Good article filled with important info. One question, does the garage floor have to be free of old paint? The
Shea says
Yes, Stan. If it’s paint and not a coating, a single-part polyurea will soften the paint and it will not adhere well.
Leslie says
How does the single polyuria sealed floor age? Doe it look the same for 10+ yrs?
What would be a bad application?
What is the key to the best quality outcome to be aware of?
It it toxic to smell during application, ….and for how long after?
Where can I go to find out color options and flakes?
What is the typical cost to have a professional do the labor?
What is typical cost for the solution to cover a normal 2 car garage …approximately?
Shea says
Hi Leslie. The newer single-part polyurea garage floor coatings will last 10 years or more when installed correctly with a minimum of two coats. Most bad applications are due to poor concrete preparation. They will produce a smell during application and for approximately 12-24 hours afterwards. The smell dissipates rapidly after that. You can’t really go anywhere to view color flakes if that is what you are asking. However, we suggest reading this article here. There is a link in the article that takes you to a color flake blending tool by Torginol. Professional floor coating installers generally don’t use single-part polyurea coatings since they don’t cure fast enough for a one day turn-around. They typically use 2-part polyurea and polyaspartic coatings that will cure in a few hours. Cost starts around $5.50 – $6.00 per square foot for professional installation for that type of coating. A DIY single-part polyurea installation can run as little as .50 cents to $1.50 per square foot depending on product selection and how many coats are applied. We highly recommend contacting the vendor before you make a purchase in order to discuss options, concerns, and to ask questions. The vendors are extremely knowledgeable and great source of information. We do not recommend soliciting advice from home improvement centers.
Kerk says
Shea..i have a strong chip finished epoxy floor now that I am happy with other than the yellowing. Floor has been down approx 8 years with no sign of cracking of delaminating. To fix the yellowing could I apply this single application with new or different color chips and two top coats and expect good long term results? I live in snowy country so salt and water would be issue. I know i would have to sand existing floor to prep..do you think it would stay down and not peal in time?
Shea says
Hi Kerk. If you have a coating that’s been down for 8 years (including winter weather) and it shows no physical signs of wear, then it will be just fine as a base coat for a new coating. You will just need to rough up the surface with 100-120 grit sandpaper before applying a new coating. This article explains how to prep an old coating for a new one. The newer single-part polyurea coatings are extremely durable and will not yellow from U.V. light. You can do just as described and get excellent results.
Shane Quisenberry says
If the concrete underneath the single-part polyurea application cracks over time, creating cracks in the surface. Will I be able to sand/grind and repair and blend with this material?
Shea says
Hi Shane. The single-part polyurea coating is not a crack filler. If your concrete cracks you will want to use the appropriate concrete crack filler, some of which are polyurea. Once the repairs are made you can coat over with the same floor coating. Keep in mind, however, that coatings do not blend when applied over old coatings like paint on a wall for example. The new coating stands out where it overlaps the old.
Tim Hannen says
We have some alternative projects that require UV ,Stain and scratch resistance-Is there a number to call to get further technical assistance?Thanks
Shea says
Hello Tim. We don’t have a tech line since we are an informational website only. However, you can email us at info@allgaragefloors.com and we will let you know if we can help or not.
Gary says
What is the best way to spread the color flakes to get them dispersed evenly?
Shea says
Hi Gary. Divide the volume of chips up into equall amounts for each section of your floor. This ensures that you won’t run short or apply too much to one area. Put each amount into a small pail and then take small handfuls or large pinches and toss them high in the air. They will disperse nicely as they fall to the ground if you toss them high enough.
Lionel Broderick says
I was wondering if these coatings are appropriate for fresh concrete in a bathroom environment?
Shea says
Concrete must be allowed to cure for a minimum of 30 days before using a coating. How do you intend on using the coating?
Ron says
I have numerous chips in my flooring, is there a small repair kit available?
Shea says
What type of flooring is it exactly, Ron? What brand and etc.
Kurt Johnson says
The article mentions that “We would not be surprised if one of [the large companies] doesn’t come out with their own version of this polyurea in the near future. Have you had an opportunity to review Rustoleum FastKote, selling for $170-180 on Amazon. It appears to be single part polyuria. Your thoughts and comments would be appreciated.
Shea says
Hello Kurt. The Rust-Oleum FastKote is a similar product in terms of formulation (single-part polyurea) and easy application. It is high gloss with good chemical resistance. However, it has very poor abrasion resistance compared to the products we mention in the article. If you look at the technical data sheets, when comparing the FastKote to AWF2K by Garage Flooring LLC for example, the FastKote has an abrasion rating of 43 mg loss while the AWF2K is 12 mg loss. Important to note is that each mg of loss is exponential. To give an example, a coating with a 4 mg loss compared to a coating with a 8 mg loss would last 3 times as long in terms of wear under the same conditions. Not twice as long as one would assume based on the numbers. The abrasion rating is very important in determining how well the floor will resist wear.
Kurt Johnson says
Hello Shea. Thank you for your prompt and very informative reply. I’m hunting for a coating for my brand new 22 x 16 garage floor. This is a 3rd garage just added, and the concrete was poured a month ago. I will use this garage as a “shop” with power tools mounted on tables with rubber caster wheels. There may be a small car in their occasionally, but it is primarily a wood-working shop. Minimally, I’m looking for a coating that will resist staining and clean up easily (mostly sawdust). The coating need not last forever; at least a few years would be good. As I “broke the bank” on the garage, I’m hoping to find something reasonably priced for the coating. I am a DIY kind of guy, but have no experience with coating a garage floor. With all of that in mind, may I ask for your wisdom/advice on coating? Thank you again for your help.
Shea says
If they are in your budget, the single-part polyurea coatings in this article are actually less expensive per gallon than the Rust-Oleum FastKote. They will wear longer and will stand up very well to the type of environment that you described. Expect two coats to last close to 10 years unless subjected to heavy abuse. They are very stain resistant and like most other coatings they will clean up easily. One thing to keep in mind is that sawdust on coatings can get slippery. You may want to apply an anti-slip grit into the final coat.
Kurt Johnson says
Shea, thanks for the great advice! I will provide feedback in the future on how the coating turns out
Peter John says
I noticed that the Legacy product when applied comes with a primer. There then 3 coats. The primer, the polyurea with pigment and then the clear polyurea. The other two companies do not have a separate primer. Can u tell me why this is? I am going to be coating a new garage floor shortly. Thank you in advance.
Shea says
Hi Peter. The Nohr-S garage floor coating system can be applied without the primer coat if you desire. What the primer coat does, however, is create a thicker coating and it ensures that you will get excellent color and consistency with just one color coat since it will not be absorbed by the concrete. When you don’t use a primer, areas of the concrete that are more porous will absorb more of the coating. This can create thin areas which can have a matte and sometimes translucent look. When this happens you need to apply another color coat.
Peter John says
Shea, l appreciate your help.
Peter
Scotty says
If I can add, a primer also reduces potential bubbles caused by a very porous surface. Any coating project, epoxy, polyurea, etc… benefits greatly from a primer.
Bud Lissimore says
Shea. Do you think the single part polyurea material would work on a plywood garage floor. If not, do you have any suggestions?
Bud
Shea says
Hello Bud. It will adhere to wood if it is sanded first with 60 grit sandpaper, however, it will not bridge any gaps in the wood and provide a seamless look if that is what you are looking to accomplish. Also, polyurea is much more flexible than epoxy, but it it can crack if it flexes too much. You will want to make sure that there is not too much flex in the floor where the cars sit.
BONNIE WILTON says
hey Shea,unfortunately we have just purchased 3 kits of the rust epox garage and was wondering what heavy clear coat can be suitable to enhance durability
Shea says
Hello Bonnie. Rust-Oleum actually makes a couple epoxy clear coats. This one here is a 100% solids that has received good reviews.
Joshua wilson says
I’m in the Philadelphia PA area, can you recommend a dealer/vendor in my area? Would this be a good coating for an automotive detail shop?
Shea says
Hello Joshua. Yes, this could be a great coating for an automotive detail shop. If the floors will be getting wet, you may want to apply an anti-slip additive to the final coat. The nearest vendor to you that we are aware of that sells polyurea would be ArmorPoxy. They are located in New Jersey. You can find their information here. Just give them a call and tell them what you are looking for.
R Jones says
My expansion joints were poured using metal between them. The metal is not showing thru. But the concrete laying on top of the metal has chipped away in a lot of spots. Joints are less then 1/4 inch wide and 1/4 in deep. The floor is a few months old and never painted. Because of expansion joints I would need to fill with something flexible but paintable. Do you have any recommendations for a filler for expansions joints? I would like to have a smooth floor is possible. There will not be automobiles on the floor. Its a garage\woodshop. I was looking at using SW Rexthene I as one option. Two tinted coats, flakes, then two clear top coats. I am open to any suggestions.
Shea says
Hello R. It sounds like you have a keyway joint which effectively creates a tongue and groove effect between two slabs. The recommended procedure for filling such a joint is to chase it with a crack chasing wheel to the top of the keyway. They generally lay 1/4″ to 3/8″ under the surface. This will effectively remove all the loose and weak concrete over the keyway and provide a nice “V” shape to apply your filler. We have an article about how to fill joints here, including recommended product. Once the joint is filled, you will need to grind it flush once it has cured.
FYI, polyurethane (urethane for short) generally cannot be applied to bare concrete and expect excellent adhesion. It generally requires the application of epoxy or an epoxy primer first. We recommend checking with Sherwin Williams. The data sheets for Rexthane 1 state that testing was done with the Rexthane applied over ArmorSeal 1000 HS epoxy. Also, polyurethane goes on very thin and does not make for a good build coat. A combination of ArmorSeal 1000 HS epoxy and Rexthane 1 polyurethane would make for a good coating for what you want to use it for. The single-part polyurea products that we cover in this article are easier to apply and even more durable, but may be slightly more expensive.
Chris Hendryx says
Very interested but my current garage floor is painted; gray latex. Some flaking but minimal, and otherwise in good shape. I assume the paint must be removed. True? And given a Yes, how can I best remove the old paint? I assume this needs to be done if I want polyurea or any epoxy. Thanks.
Shea says
Hello Chris. Yes, if you want to apply a polyurea coating you will first need to remove the latex paint. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is that polyurea will make the latex paint soft and it will bleed into the polyurea. Second, polyurea adheres to concrete much better than latex paint. If you were able to apply polyurea over the latex, the entire coating would peel up as easy as latex can since the latex is the base coat that is adhered to the concrete. The best way to remove it is to grind it off. This not only removes the old paint, it will prep the concrete at the same time for the polyurea or epoxy.
Richard Lane says
Hi Shea, I’m looking for advice on a DIY project. I have an exterior above grade concrete deck that is used for pedestrian traffic, patio furniture etc. but no vehicular traffic. It gets a lot of direct sunlight. I need to waterproof the deck but I also want something that is aesthetically pleasing. I’ve gotten a lot of mixed info on what products would and would not work. I thought I had decided on an epoxy base, with full vinyl chip and a polyurea top coat with anti slip additive but I don’t want high gloss and I’ve been told by some sellers that this product is not intended for outdoor use. What would you recommend?
Shea says
Hello Richard. We recommend that you contact and talk with a couple companies that offer just what you describe for outdoor use and non vehicular traffic. The first would be Legacy Industrial. Ask for Scotty. Sometimes you have to leave a message. The second company is ArmorPoxy. They actually have other outdoor options as well. Both of these companies ship for free and their customer service is good.
Peter says
Hi Shea, we just finished our new garage floor using legacy Nohr S with primer. We also decided to diamond grind instead of etching.
We have decided to add another coat in a specific area. Our question is this:
we need to ” degloss/ solvent wipe the surface first since the 12 hour period is past. If we do not want to use a “solvent” is there another method you would recommend to degloss the surface first.
Thx
Shea says
Hi Peter. Deglossing of the surface requires roughing it up with 120 grit sandpaper. This process deglosses the surface and provides a rough enough texture to provide mechanical adhesion to the coating instead of the chemical adhesion you get when recoating within the correct time frame. You wipe the surface with denatured alcohol afterwards to help remove any remaining dust from the sanding. It also helps to degloss any small depressions or irregularities that the sanding didn’t get. The solvent wipe is not absolutely necessary, but it ensures the best outcome. Denatured alcohol actually evaporates very fast and does not leave a smell behind afterwards. If you have any further concerns, we recommend that you give Legacy Industrial a call and ask for Scotty. He would be more than happy to assist you.
Howard says
Let me start my saying how much I appreciate this site! Your informative and thorough insights have become my “go to” research point for useful knowledge for my project.
I’ve decided to do a polyurea coating on my new garage floor. I’ve narrowed to 2 companies – Legacy Industrial Nohr S, and GarageFlooring LLC. Pricing seems comparable for my size of project. I’ve researched both sites and found + and – with each, and many similarities. So ultimately for me, I think it boils down to quality of the product. In your opinion are these polyurea coatings similar quality, or would you rank them differently? Any helpful hints you can offer, along with info I’ve already gathered from these sites, will help me make a final decision.
On a side note: I read previous comments here on the importance of a primer. I notice that the LI kit includes “tinted primer” and the GF does not (saying a primer isn’t necessary)
Thank you in advance for your input.
Shea says
Hello Howard and thanks for the kudos. Both of these polyurea coatings are fairly similar. The main difference, as you noted, it that Legacy Industrial advises the use of a primer, though both systems can be applied without a primer. These floors without primer do very well in most circumstances. The reason Legacy Industrial recommends the primer is due to the fact that polyurea cures faster than epoxy. When a coating cures faster it is not allowed as much time to penetrate the surface of the concrete before it cures. An epoxy primer cures much slower and allows for the coating to penetrate deeper before it cures for even better adhesion properties. Legacy Industrial allows you to deduct the primer from their kits if you wish.
The Legacy Industrial kit with the primer option is going to cost more, but it will provide for a thicker build coat overall and be even slightly more durable in the long run.
Sue says
HI there we are getting a brand new concrete floor in the next week. How long do I need to cure the concrete floor before applying this product. Also because it’s a new surface what prep schools s required? Also the temp right now is around 0 C how will that affect everything?
Shea says
Hi Sue. You need to wait a minimum of 30 days for the concrete to cure before applying a coating. The single-part polyurea coatings can be applied in cooler weather than other coatings, however, I don’t believe it can be applied in temperatures that cold. We suggest contacting the vendor you are interested in to acquire more information.
Renee Schultz says
Hi. I purchased a home as a Realtor/Flipper and found out after closing that the garage floor had major issues. ( We didn’t see it prior as the owners had the garage packed with stuff and no way to see the garage floor. )
I hired a professional mud jacking company to level the floor. It is level now but we still have some pretty substantial cracks. I am not sure what to do now. I was thinking of sanding them down to get rid of the trip hazards and then filling in the cracks with concrete filler, and then do something on top like your surfacing. I would appreciate your help and advice. What are your thoughts? I have already spent a lot of $ using the mud jacking company so I will not be replacing the garage floor.
Thank you.
Shea says
Hi Renee. Getting the slab level is only half the battle. Applying floor coatings to concrete is somewhat like painting a fender on a car. If the fender is damaged with dents it requires proper repairs. This includes pulling out the big dents, filling the depressions with filler, and then sanding everything smooth before paint is applied. If this is not done properly, then the damage shows through the paint. It’s much the same for coatings on concrete. If you have high sections with a lip (one side slightly higher than the other) it will require filling those cracks first with the proper repair materials and then grinding those areas flush. The grinding will require the proper tools as you can’t sand concrete.
My recommendation would be to call in a couple flooring coating contractors in your area for a free quote. They can assess the repairs needed at this point and give you a better idea of would be required. If your plan is not to make the garage floor look showroom perfect, but instead to just make it look more presentable, tell them that upfront. It still may cost you an average of $4-6 per square foot to make all the repairs and apply a coating.
Renee Schultz says
Thank you for your help. I am not sure who to call but I will find them on line. Possibly – I should have torn out the floor and re-poured the concrete rather than going through this process. But now that we are in it, I am moving forward.
This is a great page. Hope you keep it open :).
Regards,
Renee
Shea says
You are welcome, Renee. Search “garage floor coating contractors ‘your city'” and you should get multiple hits.
daniel buntic says
Hi,
Can a single-part polyurea be applied in temps bellow 50f. I m in the Chicago area and coming October the temps dip bellow 50F overnight easily. Have some time in the next couple of months,was thinking on doing this project Oct-Nov.
If not when is the best time to do these epoxy/poly jobs in colder climates ?
thank you
Shea says
Hello Daniel. We recommend you give the vendors you are interested in a call to confirm temps. It seems to vary by product. We know that they can go down into the low 50 degree range and maybe cooler. Most of the curing required happens within the first 6-8 hours, so it may be possible to coat during the day when temps are higher. Slower curing coatings, such as epoxy, generally require a minimum of 24 hours to go through their initial curing stages and is why they are not as good a product to apply during the cooler months.
Gordon Rigby says
Hello,
My garage floor gets damp, the water table is fairly close to the surface and with all the rain we have been getting the moisture must be seeping up through the porous floor. Will this moisture be a problem for any of these garage floor coatings? Obviously i will wait until it’s nice and dry before applying anything.
Shea says
Hi Gordon. No, coatings do not do well will concrete that has moisture issues. The moisture that gets trapped under the coating can cause it to delaminate later down the road. If hydrostatic pressure occurs under the coating it can actually cause it to pop off, taking chunks of concrete with it. There are special moisture vapor blocking epoxy primers that can be applied first, but they are more expensive and the concrete requires an aggressive grind before applying them.
If you don’t want to deal with that then you may want to consider interlocking tiles or a densifier with siliconate sealer added to help keep the moisture down.
Josh says
Do any of the three companies you mention sell an etcher? I see the primer, but I assume you still have to etch the concrete before applying the primer? Also how long after the primer is applied can you apply the top coat?
Shea says
Hi Josh. Yes, you need to etch or grind the concrete before applying a polyurea coating. The requirement is the same if it’s new concrete or 40 year old concrete as well. Most of the vendors have either a phosphoric acid etch or muriatic acid etch product. Just give them a call. It using a primer, the soonest you can recoat for most primers is 8-12 hours temperature dependent. You can’t wait much longer than 24 hours. The polyurea on the other hand has a recoat window of 4-6 hours.
Juan says
I have an existing epoxy coated floor with some graphics painted on top. I read the comments about not applying a polyurea top coat over latex paint. Would it work over enamel or acrylic paint?
Shea says
Hi Juan. Most acrylic paints are latex based. The solvents in the single-part polyurea coatings will soften the paint and possibly cause it to bleed as well. Enamel paint is much more resistant to solvents, but it’s not 100% resistant. You may be able to use that, but it would require testing it first. The other option would be to use a water-based epoxy clear coat instead. If you want the chemical and scratch resistance of the polyurea, you can always let the epoxy clear coat cure first, then rough it up with 120 grit sandpaper and then apply the polyurea clear over that.
Juan says
Thanks for the advise. Going off of the water-based epoxy idea, could I seal just the graphics in the epoxy or do I have to do the whole floor? I’m wondering if the DFT of the epoxy would cause unevenness after the polyurea is laid down or would it level out between the highs and lows?
Shea says
Yes, you can do that Juan. Water-based epoxy clear for concrete floors are not thick to begin with. So applying a layer over the graphics, sanding, and then applying the polyurea clear will have little to no noticeable affect. Also, try to keep the epoxy over just the graphics. Polyurea clears tend to be water clear while epoxy clear has a slight tint. It’s not even noticeable unless you compare the two. If the clear epoxy gets too far past the graphics you might notice that.