Elite Crete Reflector Enhancer

[beatle]

I was wowed by the floor in James66gs's excellent thread. The Reflector Enhancer looks like it takes a lot of the unique character of an acid stained floor and puts it into a clear epoxy. I've not found much other information on the product except for a few PDFs including this color chart. I'd wager you can mix and match different powders with the clear epoxy for a one-off look. Has anyone else used it? Can you use this with any clear epoxy (Wolverine)? Where to buy? Cost?

 

[CreteCoater]

I have used reflector quite a bit (im an elite crete installer) The color combinations are endless. In order to buy it your going to have to go through an EC class and buy their epoxy. Pricing is around 45 bucks for a small jar.

 

[beatle]

Not much love for the DIY crowd? That's a bummer, unless your classes are free/cheap.

 

[CreteCoater]

You would have to talk to the distributor in your area for training. It usually runs between 300-400 bucks. Elite Crete does more than just epoxy such as acid stains and concrete overlays.

 

[beatle]

I appreciate your honest info. I've done some more research and it seems that coatings of this type run around $10-$15 sq/ft to be professionally done. I have about 400 sqft to do, so a class may be actually cost effective depending on the materials. Can you give me some info on materials and such needed? PM me if you like.

 

[AlphaGarage]

WCC has be working on a few metallic looks, but I don't know if they will be DIY available. They have a learning curve and can be tricky with unpredictable results, even after you've played with them a bit.

There are many ways to get differing looks in a variety of colors. Hopefully they'll come up with a few that are suitable for DIY use.

 

[beatle]

I guess I figured it was just adding the metallic powder to clear epoxy. I was quoted about $6/sqft for a pro to grind and apply 100% solids w/a topcoat, flakes, and texture, so $10+ seemed steep for what I thought was just an extra ingredient.

 

[CreteCoater]

PM sent...

 

[thegarageguy]

It's easy to think that it's just an added ingredient and that installation or application has nothing to do will your final result.

Like all of our floors, proper preparation and installation is key. It's more than just rolling on some paint.

Our designer epoxy floors go from $10 to $20 depending on the square footage, design elements and starting condition of the floor.

When you get past the point of thinking of it as paint and understand its a fluid applied flooring system and that it's look is dependent of an artisans skills, then the price is justifiable.

Decent tile installed starts at $10. I have had clients save on demo and spending $30 to $40 on installed marble.

Elitecrete is one of many companies who offer this "ingredient". Just remember, anyone can have access to oil paints from an art supply store, but not everyone can create beautiful art.

Here are the few different ways we apply our metallics.

 

[beatle]

I think the art looks great, of course, but I wonder what a ham-fisted DIY'er might turn out. What kind of flaws do you see if you do it "wrong." Do you have any examples of installs gone bad?

I'm not necessarily looking for a museum quality floor, but I thought something different than the deco-flake variety would be appealing.

 

[CreteCoater]

Is that Chamilion?

 

[thegarageguy]

@Beatle, if not prepped right, delamination. If not applicated right, bubbles and or craters and or blushing

@CreteCoater, we use Elitecrete, Miracote, and Lumier to name a few. They spec it, I'll install it.

 

[CreteCoater]

Nice. I checked out your website and saw that you use NPI also, I love their Polyaspartic!