There are many benefits to giving your garage floor an epoxy coating.
Also referred to as epoxy paint, the epoxy coating can provide your garage floor a level of protection it has never had before. It makes your garage floor more resistant to moisture and stains and enables it to withstand heavy foot traffic and heavy equipment and machinery better.
Garage doors and automatic gate openers already bring plenty of curb appeal to your home. Giving your garage floor a facelift by applying epoxy coating can send that appeal through the roof. Epoxy paint, after all, comes in unlimited colors and designs.
If you’re thinking about using epoxy paint on your garage floor, here are the steps you need to take.
Prepare Your Tools And Materials
The tools/equipment you need are as follows:
- Garden hose
- Broom
- Stiff brush
- Small paintbrush
- Paint roller
- Wet-dry shop vacuum
- Personal protective equipment, like work gloves, eye protection, and mask
As for the materials, you need the epoxy floor coating kit itself and a concrete degreaser.
Prep The Floor
Make sure the floor is debris-free by sweeping the whole area with a broom, then use a wet-dry vacuum for good measure.
Use a stiff brush and the degreaser to remove grease, then get the garden hose to rinse the degreaser. Leave the floor to dry.
Etch The Concrete Floor
Your epoxy coating kit usually comes with an etching solution, which you need to abrade the surface.
Since the solution contains acid, don’t forget to wear all your safety gear when handling it.
Mix the etching solution in water, pour it onto the garage floor, and use a broom or stiff brush to scrub it into the concrete. Let the solution sit for about 15 minutes, then rinse the floor. To make sure the concrete dries completely, leave it to dry overnight. You may use electric fans to speed up the process.
Mix The Epoxy Thoroughly
Epoxy kits usually come with two cans. One contains the catalyst, and the other the resin. Mix the two together and stir for a couple of minutes until the whole thing is homogenous. Cover the can containing the mixture, and follow the manufacturer’s recommended epoxy reaction time, which typically depends on the temperature.
Never take shortcuts with the recommended reaction time because if you do, you could end up with a sticky mess that won’t harden after application.
Apply Epoxy Generously
Apply the coating once it’s ready. Use the paint roller to spread it evenly and generously across the floor, and the paintbrush to cut in along edges. Roll the epoxy out in 10 x 10-foot sections.
If you’re planning to use decorative color chips or flakes, keep the epoxy wet to make sure they adhere to it when applied. When sprinkling the chips, try achieving a light random pattern on the floor by spreading them thinly from a certain height.
Leave The Epoxy To Dry
Once you’re done applying the epoxy, leave it to dry. Don’t think about stepping on it for 24 hours, at the very least.
As for your car, park it somewhere else for at least three days. To be absolutely sure, wait for a week before you drive your vehicle back into the garage and park it on top of a spanking new epoxy garage floor!
About the Author
Irene Trentham is the Content Marketing Strategist of Arizona’s Best Garage Door and Repair Company, a locally-owned enterprise that specializes in garage door installation and repair for residents of Phoenix and surrounding areas. She loves to do camping, hiking and yoga and to spend time with her family and baby girl, Tatum when not writing.
