Color flake coverage & thickness of base coating used

[jsraaf]

I'd really like to do a near-full broadcast color flake but I haven't decided on the epoxy product yet, and trying to figure out if the choices for flake coverage are independent of that.

Would the total amount of color flakes that could be used on an epoxy floor depend at all on the type of base coat used? For instance, if I wanted to do a full broadcast or close to it, would there be any potential problems if I were to use an epoxy like Quikrete (50% solids, thinner coating) vs. something like Wolverine or Devoe (75-100% solids, thicker coating)?

TIA

 

[SUPERCOAT]

Use a quality epoxy!

I did a full broadcast on my own personal floor with SUPERCOAT. I put one coat down as a primer, then a second coat as my "receiving coat". After blowing off all the flakes that did not stick, I put two coats of our Industrial Glaze Coat (urethane). That was six years ago. It still looks like granite...

 

[Kingham]

the heavier bodied epoxies will let more chips/flakes stick as it goes down a thicker and more chips will "sink" into the epoxy. few problems with the higher solids is that some have a faster pot life so you have to hustle..

we typically use about 50 lbs of the 1/16" chip size (more or less with other size flakes) per 400 square to broadcast to rejection and sweep, scrape and vacuum up maybe 10 to 20%

I like urethane coatings too. but to save a little money on the jobs (unless spec'ed) we'll do a seal coat of clear epoxy coat over the flakes then a single coat of urethane over..

 

[Bad Idea]

We generally get 400 sqft out 50 lbs of larger 1/4" flake as well.

 

[AlphaGarage]

Wolverine has pictures of different flake densities here.

 

[iceman536]

Don't be over anxious to throw the flakes down as they will sink in wet epoxy, which will require more flakes to get full coverage. Let the epoxy settle some then throw the flake. Do a small area and wait a few minutes. If you notice your coverage is thinning out it is because flakes are sinking. Give the floor more time to dry then throw again. I probably waited 45 minutes to broadcast my flake, and even then I had some sinking. 500 sq ft used 80 lbs of 1/8 flake, and I probably could have used more. Order more flake than you ever think you'll need. Your epoxy vendor should be able to tell you how long you can wait until throwing the flake.

You mention "near-full broadcast" coverage. I don't think that is possible, not if you want consistent coverage and a good appearance. Get 10 lbs more flake and go for a true 100% broadcast to rejection. I would not even attempt a near-full broadcast application.

 

[AlphaGarage]

Also, the larger flakes are a bit easier to get right for first timers, so go with 1/4".

For a DIY full broadcast "to rejection" using 1/4" flakes we spec 0.15 pounds per square foot. 100 ft2 = 15 lbs; 400 ft2 = 60 lbs; 800 ft2 = 120 lbs. etc. The guys who do this a lot can usually get by with a lower ratio, but first timers should have a few extra pounds.

Agree with iceman that "near" full broadcast is tricky. In fact I usually recommend about 0.08 for a medium heavy broadcast, and then suggest either hold there or jump up to 0.15 for a full 'cast, anything in between looks, well in between.

Lighter 'casts are pretty easy to get evenly, and full to rejection is easy, the densities in between you need to be careful with to get evenly.

Do practice beforehand! On anything less than a full broadcast use small hand fulls; it's easy to toss out some additional flakes, but impossible to remove some if you threw down too much in a spot.

 

[70 chevelle]

Supercoat ,
can you post pictures of your personal floor so we can see how goodit looks.
Thankd
Larry

 

[tc2000]

I was prepared to put down about 4 gallons of flakes on my 500 sq. ft garage for a "rejection" covering. As I started spreading it though, I liked the look of mid-coverage and ended up only using about 2 gallons per 500 sq ft.

 

[AlphaGarage]

I was prepared to put down about 4 gallons of flakes on my 500 sq. ft garage for a "rejection" covering. As I started spreading it though, I liked the look of mid-coverage and ended up only using about 2 gallons per 500 sq ft.

I'm not familiar with measuring flakes by the gallon instead of the pound. Can you tell about home many pounds of flakes are in a gallon?

Thanks.

 

[tc2000]

I'm not familiar with measuring flakes by the gallon instead of the pound. Can you tell about home many pounds of flakes are in a gallon?

Thanks.

Yeah, I'm trying to break into the industry with a new method of measuring Seriously, I bought flakes on Ebay and Epoxy-Coat in different orders and tossed in the sample bags from the Epoxy-Coat kit. Mixed the resulting 5 or 6 colors all together and the final "inventory" stood at about 4 gallons in a 5-gallon pail. In other words, I can't remember how many pounds I bought. Maybe 15? Scientific huh?

 

[Hammerdown]

That would be about 20lbs. When I order flakes a 25lb comes in a five gallon bucket.

 

[Cruzin90]