Cleaning concrete before epoxy?

[locomike]

I have a very old block garage/shop that I want to put epoxy on. I need to pull up some of the old floor tiles in part of the shop also. I assume under the tiles it won't be as bad but in the other bay it has to have years of who knows what down in that concrete. What do I need to buy and use (process) for making sure it is ready for epoxy. I read something about if you pour water down and it doesn't soak in but instead beads up it isn't ready. Well I have had water down on parts and it doesn't soak in a bit. I know it has years of oil and chemicals on it. I know I will spend alot of time on prep but I figured there is a good process and products to do it. Thx.

 

[mhoffm911]

Sounds like you are going to need to manually remove the "sealers" on the concrete by grinding the surface. Tool rental places (including Home Depot) rent surface grinders with diamond blades or shot-blasters. You have to completely remove that or the epoxy will not adhere to the concrete.

There are lots of great posts on these forums about the steps to take. I suggest you read through them all before starting your project. There are many "ah-ha" moments where someone discovered a better way of doing it (such as spiked shoes) or what NOT to do.

Don't forget the etching process to open up the pores of the concrete even more.

Good luck.

 

[locomike]

Well as I read on I might not be using epoxy. Well maybe partial tile and partial epoxy. I will be doing welding and such and looks like epoxy won't hold up for that. My building is 30x60 so I thought of doing the part in tile where I would be doing most welding and where the floor is the worst actually. I wouldn't have to do all the prep then. The other part of the garage where the old (vinyl type) floor tile is I would epoxy and it shouldn't have any stains under it. How does that sound?