My epoxy coat experience....so far

[fstbusa]

My experience with epoxy coat started off a little shaky by no fault of theirs. Lowes sent me the Rustoleum stuff when I specifically ordered the EC stuff and I had a hard time getting it all sorted out without having to drive 100miles to the store where they had it in stock. It got all sorted out and I decided that I was going to coat my floor over the last few days.

This is a new house I'm moving into this next weekend so I wanted to have it done before we moved in.

It started out the garage wasn't nearly as clean as I hoped it would be.... the contractors left clay splatter on the foundation walls as well as drywall mud dried on the floor.

Once that was all clean I marked and taped the threshold of the door and acid etched with muratic acid(didn't use the included stuff because the floor was troweled smooth and wanted a stronger concentration to better etch the floor) I wanted to grind the floor but it would have added $500 to the cost of the floor and I couldn't justify that much extra although I know it is the best prep method.

I let it dry approximately 24-26hrs and started mixing and coating doing a section at a time, backrolling 10 min later and spreading flake. As I've read from many other people, BUY THE SPIKE SHOES!!! It helped tremendously when spreading the flake evenly.

Little over half done....flake going on perfectly.

The next day, 19hr later....looks beautiful!!!

Started in on the topcoat.

Doing my balancing act, trying to reach the overlap area from the previous batch....

More pics to follow when the clear is dry today!

 

[dmeadow]

Looks great! Did you do "moderate" flake?

 

[cfed]

I am about to do the same thing. My contractors also left a mess. Paint overspray, drywall dust, and drywall mud. Drywall mud from tape and bedding and from spraying the texture. What did you do to clean all that up? I have no idea where to start. My concrete is about 10 months old now. Nothing has been on it yet other than the mess the contractors left behind. I have a couple of stress cracks starting to show up. Anything special for them before I put down the epoxy? Any and all help is appreciated.

 

[Familyof8kids]

Bad A$$ job my friend. Can you tell us how many gallons you used of epoxy and how many pounds of flake you had and what was the temp and humidity when you installed. Was it raining? Did you back roll to pop the bubbles? Just compliling data for my install and also to lay out successful install from EC installers for others to have moving forward.

It looks like you had bubbles or up gas that did not crest all the way up and layed out sorta flat? Just noticed that on the close up pic. It still looks awesome!

 

[fstbusa]

Looks great! Did you do "moderate" flake?

Yes I wanted a medium flake so I bought 5lbs additional flake. When I first started applying them I thought I had way to much but as I did a couple batches I really started liking the look.

 

[fstbusa]

I am about to do the same thing. My contractors also left a mess. Paint overspray, drywall dust, and drywall mud. Drywall mud from tape and bedding and from spraying the texture. What did you do to clean all that up? I have no idea where to start. My concrete is about 10 months old now. Nothing has been on it yet other than the mess the contractors left behind. I have a couple of stress cracks starting to show up. Anything special for them before I put down the epoxy? Any and all help is appreciated.

The contractor supposedly powerwashed the garage.... it was mediocre at best!
I ended up using a hose and small stiff bristled scrub brush and spent 2 hrs scrubbing the floors and foundation walls until they were up to the standard of "clean" that I wanted. I had a couple minor cracks at the end of an expansion joint but they were barely noticeable so I didn't address them and just coated over them.

 

[fstbusa]

Bad A$$ job my friend. Can you tell us how many gallons you used of epoxy and how many pounds of flake you had and what was the temp and humidity when you installed. Was it raining? Did you back roll to pop the bubbles? Just compliling data for my install and also to lay out successful install from EC installers for others to have moving forward.

It looks like you had bubbles or up gas that did not crest all the way up and layed out sorta flat? Just noticed that on the close up pic. It still looks awesome!

I had 2 full kits to do 31'x22' garage. I could have gotten away with a full kit and a half but wanted to make sure I had enough material. I'm glad I did because what I failed to account for is the expansion joints..... if you don't fill them and squeegee material over them, you loose alot of material down in the crack.

I used 8lbs of flake. I rolled immediately after sqeegee and then backrolled 10 min later, then applied the flake. I scoured the floor today and could not find a single air bubble. The flat area you are seeing is a gray flake. The mix was black,white, and gray. I thought the gray would be a darker color but it nearly matches the floor color perfectly. It does mess with your mind though.

It was about 80-85F with 60% RH. when I applied the base starting at 8pm. My brother and I did it in 2 hrs. I would be very hesitant to do a floor in the rain because of the high humidity.

 

[Familyof8kids]

Perfect information.

1 last question. Did you neutralize the acid wash? If so what did you use and at what concentration?

Thanks

 

[fstbusa]

Perfect information.

1 last question. Did you neutralize the acid wash? If so what did you use and at what concentration?

Thanks

I used baking soda.... Not sure on the concentration but found the cheapest stuff available at Walmart and bought like 15 boxes.(could only find the standard size and not the large ones). I started by sprinkling it on each area but soon realized I would run out as it would take more than a couple boxes per area.

I put 2 or 3 boxes in my pump up sprayer and filled it up. Good thing too because some acid splashed on my legs and it started out as a light burning sensation but soon developed into an inferno so I doused my legs with my baking soda spray and it cured the burn...... When I got home to take a shower my legs were coated with a white crust!!!!

One thing to add.... Although I thought my floor was rinsed(did it 3 times), the next morning it still had baking soda residue on the floor. I took a damp towel and a shop broom(brissels facing up) and damp mopped the floor to get rid of any residual film.

I then let it continue to dry for about another 8 hours before applying the base coat.

 

[Familyof8kids]

Perfect feedback. Exactly the issue I had after acid rinse. I did the baking soda mix in a large 5 gallon pull behind sprayer and was warm water. I did a PH test of the concrete wash off water and it was already neutral but thought why not add another wash down with baking soda. After I rinsed with HEAVY water several times and then found a white chalky film on the concrete.

I had to use a wire broom and plenty of water to get it off. I have heard to use 4 ounces of ammonia to 1 gal sprayer of water and think that may be the right method to use for others since Baking Soda seems to leave a film.

 

[Falcon67]

Perfect information.

1 last question. Did you neutralize the acid wash? If so what did you use and at what concentration?

Thanks

Not to take from the OPs thread, but having done a couple of acid etches - you should not need to neutralize. The concrete does it for you. Then you rinse the hell out of it and there's nothing left to neutralize. And - wear long pants, socks and cheap boat shoes.

 

[bglad]

This is new about the neutralizing the concrete. So it's not necessary?

 

[fstbusa]

I would probably still do it. When I sprayed on the baking soda spray it fizzed indicating it was neutralizing or something.