Epoxy Application questions

[Zogman]

Been reading this forum for a while now and I'm very close to pulling the trigger. We close on our new house next week and I want to get the garage coated before we move in. A few questions though

1. If I'm doing primer, color and clear. Will I need more than 3 rollers? Will 1 roller last through the application process of the epoxy or does it start to cure in a half an hour too?

2. If I do one section and then throw down the fleck, I imagine I have to sweep up the flecks that fall onto uncoated concrete yet? Sounds like a dumb question but I just assume make sure.

3) Mixing bucket, do you use a new mixing bucket for each batch? Thinking the hardening of the previous batch would make it difficult. Do you clean out the bucket after each batch?

Sorry if these are lame questions but I don't want to do this twice. I will be ordering my Norklad 200 today with primer and urethane clear. Thanks
Zoli

 

[AlphaGarage]

Been reading this forum for a while now and I'm very close to pulling the trigger. We close on our new house next week and I want to get the garage coated before we move in. A few questions though

1. If I'm doing primer, color and clear. Will I need more than 3 rollers? Will 1 roller last through the application process of the epoxy or does it start to cure in a half an hour too?

Usually one roller will do the entire coat, but I always have an extra roller cover or two on hand just in case one starts to firm up. If it gets too hard it can shed fibers or leave an uneven pattern - neither good. Buy a few extra and keep those return receipts.

2. If I do one section and then throw down the fleck, I imagine I have to sweep up the flecks that fall onto uncoated concrete yet? Sounds like a dumb question but I just assume make sure.

Yes. Before mixing the next batch just quickly sweep up any wayward flakes. Another reason to always have a friend help.

3) Mixing bucket, do you use a new mixing bucket for each batch? Thinking the hardening of the previous batch would make it difficult. Do you clean out the bucket after each batch?

Most kits come in containers where there's enough room in one of the containers to add the two components together, so you always have a fresh mixing container. If that's not who your materials are packaged, then this is one of those questions you need to direct to your supplier. For example, in our case we have some coatings with a pot life that dictates that the material from the 1st batch will harden enough between mixes that it can cause problems, while other coatings cure slow enough that you can easily use one container for 2 or 3 batches. I guess the safe answer would be that you plan on a clean mixing container for each batch - you can't go wrong with that method.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Alpha has it right.

Epoxy work is a methodical process and should be done with one application person and one mixer person (could be your wife or girlfriend).

Complete your prep.
Make a mixing station (tarp or plastic covered area adjacent to the work area)
Uncap your all your A containers and B containers
Have a clean mixing bucket and a solid drill and mixer
Tape off your shoes or they will be the color of your floor when done
Have solvent ready and rags, not paper towels for clean up.
Good gloves for hands
Keep track of time, every mix should be timed for 3 minutes, always consistent.

Mix and then begin edging the perimeter.

Make sure you are keeping track of your coverage.

I will mark out the first 10'x 10' area to see what I am getting coverage wise.
Put tape on the walls or ceiling for this.

I go back into the coating after a little time has gone by to apply my flake, depends on the product.

Wait for tack off, sweep flake and then apply urethane top coat.

 

[Zogman]

Thanks guys. Great information!!!!

 

[scarab02]

Regarding the Norklad 200: I finished installing the same epoxy (w/HPU747 clearcoat) in my garage a few weeks ago. Here's my .02.

1. Wear a respirator. A paper dust mask (or similar) will not cut the fumes from the epoxy or the clear coat. Your local big box store has plenty of masks available for very little $'s.

2. Spiked shoes are your best friend. With a pair you can literally walk on the epoxy to fix thin spots, apply more material, etc. w/o fear of leaving nasty foot prints. This includes distributing the flakes over the still tacky epoxy.

3. As the others have said, and it bears repeating: plan ahead. A methodical approach really will result in a superior result.

Best of luck.