How to Apply Epoxy Resins on Floors

Floor Preparation:

* Clean the floor with a broom or shop vacuum. Add a few drops of dish detergent to a scrub bucket full of water or add commercial concrete floor degreaser to the water, mixing to manufacturer’s specifications. Scrub the floor and then rinse it with clean water. Allow the floor to dry.

* Repair any cracks or damaged areas in the floor with concrete floor repair compound. Work the mixture into the cracks and smooth the surface with a putty knife. Allow the repaired cracks time to dry completely before proceeding.

* Mix 1 part muriatic acid with 3 parts water. This mixture helps roughen the surface of the concrete to provide a good bond with the epoxy resin. The typical application rate is roughly one gallon of acid mixture to 75 square feet of concrete. Cover the concrete slab with acid mixture by pouring it from the container, but do not allow the mixture to puddle. Work the acid mixture into the surface of the concrete with a stiff-bristled broom.

* Rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water from a garden hose after the acid mixture sets for 15 minutes. Mop excess water from the floor. Allow the concrete slab to completely dry before proceeding.

*Attach painter’s tape around the perimeter of the floor for all areas where you don’t want the epoxy resin to touch.

Installation of Epoxy resin:

* Stir floor primer with a paddle attachment for a drill. Stir slowly to avoid creating bubbles in the primer. Pour the primer on the floor. Work the primer onto the entire slab with a long-handled paint roller. Use a paintbrush in tight areas. Allow the primer to dry overnight.

* Mix the epoxy resin portion of the floor coating with a paddle attachment, then mix the hardener portion. Some products simply label the two parts as “A” and “B.” Pour half of the epoxy mixture into a container and then add half of the hardener. Mix these two together with the paddle mixer, keeping a low speed to avoid bubbles.

* Pour the mixture onto half of the concrete slab. Work the epoxy resin into all portions of that half with a long-handled paint roller. Use a paintbrush to get into areas you cannot reach with the roller. If you are adding decorative flakes, sprinkle them on the damp surface. If possible, gently toss the flakes into the air and allow them to rain down from a height of about 3 feet onto the surface. This gives you more complete coverage than if you try to sow the flakes like you would grass seed. Allow the epoxy resin to dry for 12 to 24 hours.

*Repeat the previous step for the other half of the concrete slab. When it dries, vacuum the surface to remove any flakes that did not stick.

*Mix clear topcoat sealer with a paddle mixer. Add in nonslip aggregate at the rate of one package per gallon of sealer. Pour the sealer onto the floor and work it in with a long-handled paint roller. Apply sealer in tight areas with a paintbrush. Keep the sealer stirred as you apply it or the aggregate will settle to the bottom of the can. Allow the sealer to dry overnight.

Things Required

* Commercial concrete floor degreaser * Broom* Concrete floor repair compound * Dish detergent* Epoxy resin floor coating * Scrub brush* Clear topcoat sealer * Mop* Paddle mixer attachment * Putty knife* Long-handled paint roller * Muriatic acid* Stiff-bristled broom * Primer* Paintbrush * Nonslip aggregate* Mixing container * Painter’s tape* Drill * Shop vacuum* Bucket

Tips

* Apply epoxy resin to the floor when the temperature ranges between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. For drying efficiency, work when the relative humidity is below 80 percent.

* A quick way to test the moisture of a concrete slab is to seal all edges of a sheet of plastic placed on the concrete. If moisture gathers under the plastic within a 24-hour period, the slab may be too damp to apply epoxy resin. A moisture test kit can verify the findings with greater accuracy.

* If you prefer not to use muriatic acid to etch the floor, sand the top surface of the floor with a floor sander with medium-grit paper. Rinse the floor well before proceeding.

Warnings

* Wear protective eyewear, gloves and boots when working with muriatic acid. Take care not to splash the acid mixture as you use it.

*Soak outdoor plants, driveways and walkways with water near where you are using muriatic acid. As you rinse the acid out of the floor area, there is less likelihood of damage to wet items.

*Complete this project in a well-ventilated area.