Best way to Etch floor

[eppyhonda]

I'm new to the forum so please bear with me:

After you use the acidic solution that comes with most epoxy coating kits, how do you get it off if not by pressure washing, just a garden hose?? Someone wrote in my last post that he didn't like pressure washing because it pushed the moisture into the surface voids and took longer to dry completely. I have a garage floor that is 22 years old, very flat, has one crack, one uncracked expansion joint, and a good deal of old oil and grease spots. I will be applying an epoxy coating in two weeks and am looking to get the floor as ready as I can. Do you have to use the acid/etching solution prior to applying your epoxy??

thanks guys

 

[z28toz06]

I would do the acid etch. It super cleans the floor removing grease etc so the epoxy can adhere. I am going to powerwash mine, and am not at all worried about forcing water in to the concrete. If you are nervous just tape a 2x2 foot piece of clear plastic to the floor for 24 hours and make sure its dry. You can always close the doors and put a dehumidifier in there also.

If you were smart you would check the floor for moisture migration before you washed it also, just to make sure its not pulling moisture from the ground below anyway.