For quite a long time now Epoxy paints have been on the scene. They are used in the industrial floors because of their toughness, durability and resistance to oil and grease. However, over the last few years they have even been patronized for domestic purposes also.
It’s not uncommon to see their application on garage and outdoor concrete floors of many of the householders. They provide a protective coating to your dull and gray floors while making it convenient to have clean floors.Some of the benefits of epoxy floor paint include: Long lasting, rustproof, waterproof, heat resistant, salt and acid resistance, Nontoxic when dry and reduced maintenance costs.Major advantage being it is inexpensive for many homeowners. Concrete floor paints do not last long if the floor gets humid or attracts moisture from beneath or the atmosphere as they won’t last long under such conditions.
Epoxies are classified into three categories, namely, 100% solids, solvent based and water based. The strongest ones being the 100% solids and are the most expensive that need to be handled by experts only.Solvent based epoxies are mostly used for industrial purpose only.Their solid content is 40-60%. If you’re planning to apply solvent based epoxy paint in your garage or basement floor, do provide ventilation in the floor.
You can get them from stores dealing with industrial materials. The most economical epoxy is the water based. Because of their strength they are recommended for being used for residences.These epoxies can be found at most home improvement stores. There is quite a vast range of available colors.
You can even have a computerized toning.
Most of the available brands are recommended for exteriors only. And, that is right for some of the stronger coatings. For some, living in unkind weather it may be worthwhile to explore the possibility of using acid based or acrylic concrete stains before zeroing in on the use of epoxy concrete paint.
The process of applying epoxy paint starts with the preparation of your garage floor. If the surface is not properly prepared, the results would be far from satisfactory. You will first need to clean the floor with a hard bristled brush and and then clear away any debris that will result. You will also need to clean it using some mild acid and then scrub it thoroughly.This process is known as acid etching.
Next, you need to scrub the floor with a solution of warm water and soap and clearing that away.But you may remain with some water soluble contaminants which you may need to remove with the the help of a de-greaser by scrubbing it over the surface, then rinsing it with water. The grease and oil on a garage floor can’t be removed by mild acid treatment. Make sure the rinsing water does not stick to the surface of the floor, if it sticks, then repeat the greasing process all over.
After all the cleaning you need to leave the floor for overnight drying.During epoxy concrete paint application, It is important to ensure a consistent application. You should also see that humidity level is within the acceptable limits ,else the coating may form blisters or get discolored. Two to three coats of the paint are usually adequate.
For deriving a long life, proper installation and subsequent regular maintenance are of vital importance.