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Epoxy and new concrete

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eric_koski

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 12, 2005
Messages
210
Location
Connecticut
Hi group,
I`m looking for some advice for a buddy who just finished a 24 x 32 garage. They just finished pouring a 5 inch reinforced floor and he is eager to move in. He was asking me about how long he should wait before epoxing the floor. I told him that I would inquire here for him. We know that it takes awhile for concrete to fully cure but what is a reasonable time to wait before coating it? He wants to use a high-end coating so any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Eric
 
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cowboyjosh

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Joined
Mar 11, 2010
Messages
1,066
My epoxy guy (before he died) would never install epoxy if the concrete was less then 30 days old; he actually preferred to wait a couple years after construction for any cracks, if any, to form, and to make sure that the garage floor wouldn't need to be re poured if the floor settled wrong or heaved (in Colorado with expansive soil) but knew thats impossible for impatient folks to wait a couple years; be he insisted on at least 30 days minimum. I don't know if he was right or wrong, but thats what he went to his grave insisting.
 
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vrog

Member
Joined
May 10, 2010
Messages
15
Should wait 30 days.

If they poured high early cement then 14 days.

Lots of good information and tips on this site.
 
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Hammerdown

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
596
Location
The Motor City
28-30 days is an accepted standard for concrete to cure long enough for most of todays floor coatings systems to be applied successfully.
Recommendations are tricky on this site, as each person has a different opinion and they can start a war! Epoxy-Coat, Wolverine, Ucoatit, Rustoleum, Quikrete, Musclegloss, Behr, (I'm sure I forgot somebody!) there are a lot of different products to choose from. Search this site and the web for manufacturers sites to help research. Read everybodys technical data and call them with any questions.


You say Ta-may-toe, I say Ta-mah-toe, you say Pa-tay-toe, I say Pa-tah-toe......
Ta-may-toe, Ta-mah-toe, Pa-tay-toe, Pa-tah-toe, lets call the whole thing off!
Sorry, it's Monday morning and I've got to do something to entertain myself. Good luck and happy hunting.
 
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Hammerdown

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
596
Location
The Motor City
"Oh, are you installing a 220 line?"
"220, 221. What ever it takes!"

I think It is 4 weeks, but it is easy to say wait a month.
 
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thegarageguy

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Joined
Oct 24, 2007
Messages
1,489
Location
NJ
There are epoxies that can be applied 7 days after pour or over whats considered "green" concrete, if time is of the essence. Temperature is another issue.
 
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AlphaGarage

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Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
1,298
Location
Every Garage, AnyTown, USA
There are also epoxies that can be applied immediately after the pour. We have one, but the timing is critical, as are a few of the steps, so we pretty much offer it to contractors only. It must be applied within 6 hours of the pour and it actually strengthens the concrete. Once it's tack free (up to 12 hours) it can be coated over with other epoxies.
 
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eric_koski

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 12, 2005
Messages
210
Location
Connecticut
29 days it is! Thanks everyone for the quick replies. I will pass along the info to my friend. He will just have to be patient....
 
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clawman

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
52
My concrete floor is about 90 days old now. Can I put down epoxy floor coating?
Speaking of which, do you have a preference?
 
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Armorpoxy

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Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
3,735
Location
NJ
Concrete can take from 30-120 days to cure depending on variables like temperature, humidity, ventilation, etc so there really is no correct answer. 30 days is minimum, but can be MUCH longer.

Do the plastic sheet moisture test by taking a sheet of clear 4 ft square plastic taped down to center of floor. Tape edges down securely. Wait 24 hours. If no dampening or condensation appears you should be ok.
 
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