Step 1: Before applying the epoxy, prepare the surface.
In order to achieve adhesion between the epoxy product and the substrate, the substrate must be prepared. Surface preparation is, in fact, the most critical stage. The floor might crumble if it isn’t properly prepared, and repairing it would be far more expensive.
As a result, never overlook the need of adequate surface preparation. A little rough contour is required on the surface. This will enable the epoxy primer and the concrete surface to adhere mechanically.
Furthermore, any chemicals or oils that may prevent the epoxy from adhering effectively to the substrate must be removed from the surface.
The following are the most frequent surface preparation methods:
- Using a diamond grinding wheel
- Sanding
- Shot-blasting
- sifting (or scarifying)
Look at our article on surface preparation before applying epoxy for a more complete description of the aforementioned procedures.
Diamond grinding is the most common (and therefore the most adaptable) form of surface preparation. Depending on your needs, you may use numerous kinds of grinding tools with a floor grinder. If you need to grind rough concrete, for example, you’ll need a diamond tool that’s aggressive and coarse. If you need to give the current surface a minor sanding, a high grit sanding tool may be used instead.
Step 2: Clean the floor by sweeping and mopping it.
The floor must now be vacuumed. Before applying any sort of epoxy or primer, there must be no dust or residue. Otherwise, numerous particles will get trapped inside the coat. The ability to stick together will be severely harmed. You’ll need less primer if there’s less micro-dust on the surface.
Step 3: How to Apply Epoxy: Apply an appropriate epoxy primer to the floor.
Now you must prepare the surface that will enable the epoxy to adhere to your substrate effectively. This is why epoxy primer is used.
Never skip priming the floor; don’t be fooled by statements that it’s not essential. Priming your floor will extend its life and improve its adherence to the substrate. It will also seal the substrate and limit the possibility of bubbles and gases in your final epoxy application.
Priming also helps to cut down on the quantity of product needed in the latter phases. Ascertain that the spaces are suitably ventilated.
In certain circumstances, after applying the primer, you will observe that it is immediately absorbed by the substrate. Dusty and soft cement-based flooring are notorious for this. Apply a second layer of primer on top of the first if desired. To combine the A and B components of the primer, use an electrical mixer.
Step 4: Apply epoxy grout to all cracks, holes, and other crevices.
Before you can begin coating, you must first repair any holes, dents, or cracks in the floor.
If you have big and deep holes, you may wish to fill them with quick-drying cement mortar ahead of time. Before grinding and applying the primer, you should finish this step first.
You may fix tiny cracks and holes either before or after applying the primer. However, we often see that once the primer has been sprayed, numerous fractures become obvious.
Epoxy filler comes in a variety of varieties. One alternative is to use transparent epoxy resin that is 100 percent clear and mixed with a filler (like quartz sand or calcium carbonate). You may use as much filler as you need to get the texture and thickness of the result you want.
If preparing clear resin and filler sounds too complex and dirty, just purchase epoxy repairing grout.
You’ll have to wait several hours for the epoxy putty to cure. Before moving on to the next phase, it will almost certainly need some sanding.
Step 5: Put the first layer of epoxy paint on.
You’ve probably been working on your epoxy floor installation for a few days now. You’re now ready to apply the first coat if you’ve followed all of the preceding procedures correctly.
The first coat is often used to assist show the floor. The initial coat of coloured epoxy will disclose the condition of the real substrate. Now is the time to see whether there are any residual cracks or holes!
A squeegee or a roller may be used to apply the initial layer. If you have a lot of tiny dents and microscopic holes in your floor, make the first layer a filler coat using a squeegee.
When you’re ready to start coating, empty the hardener into component A completely. Mix for at least two minutes with an electric mixer. Don’t be stingy with the mixing! This is a critical stage. A sticky floor is the result of poor mixing!
Make sure you have enough people to aid you depending on the surface. It’s never a good idea to use epoxy on your own since the product has a limited pot life (30-45 minutes is common). Before the pot is no longer useable, you should always have a helper with you to speed up the epoxy floor procedure.
If you’re going to use a roller, make sure it’s a nice one, since cheap rollers may start to shed. To deal with edges, have paint brushes and masking tape on available.
Step 6: Before applying the final epoxy floor paint, do some final sanding and filling.
The first coat should be adequately dry after 16-24 hours, allowing you to go on to the following phase.
After applying the first layer, you may discover a variety of difficulties, such as new cracks and holes. Also, dust and debris might be caught in the first layer.
Many line markings may be apparent if you used a squeegee to apply the initial layer. These sections will need to be carefully sanded to remove any markings that may show up on the finished floor. Then suck up any dust using a vacuum cleaner. You may usually wash away any leftover micro-dust using epoxy thinner.
Before applying the second coat, double-check that any new cracks and holes have been sealed and closed. Wait an additional day for the grout to cure before re-coating if required.
7. Finish with a final coat.
The final layer should be the simplest step if you followed the epoxy flooring technique outlined in this article.
Make sure the whole area is clean before you begin. You don’t want someone wandering in on the damp floor, so close all windows and doors.
Make use of a good roller. Some individuals like to use a squeegee to spread out the product and then use a roller to get a consistent surface. You may tread on the wet covering and examine any spots with spiked shoes.
If you began with a poor surface, you may need to apply a third coat to make it seem great.
In conclusion, if you still in doubt about how to apply epoxy floor paint, you may consult to some epoxy floor installers.
