Epoxy and new concrete

[eric_koski]

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

 

[cowboyjosh]

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.

 

[vrog]

Should wait 30 days.

If they poured high early cement then 14 days.

Lots of good information and tips on this site.

 

[Hammerdown]

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.

 

[rugerlady]

Industry standard is usually 30 days.

 

[AlphaGarage]

There are two main industry groups that offer classes, set standards, etc. From what I recall one teaches 28 days, the other 30.

 

[Hammerdown]

"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.

 

[thegarageguy]

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.

 

[AlphaGarage]

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.

 

[thegarageguy]

There are also epoxies that can be applied immediately after the pour.

Always gotta one up someone, you are the best!

 

[scottzilla]

I'm going with 29 days.

 

[eric_koski]

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....

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Always gotta one up someone, you are the best!

tee hee

 

[clawman]

My concrete floor is about 90 days old now. Can I put down epoxy floor coating?
Speaking of which, do you have a preference?

 

[Armorpoxy]

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.