Epoxy-Coat 15min max time to apply ???

[tonyvlx]

Im getting ready to apply EC kit in my double garage. Im a bit worried about the 15min allowable application time. Even thoe there will be me and a friend applying the epoxy, i just dont see how it would be possible to do it in this little amount of time. Just the cutting alone with the brush on the edges would take longer than that.
1. Is the 15 min window time just a scare tactic and actually gives you more time before hardening ?
Any tips for doing this right the 1st time??

Thanks

 

[JasonU]

I did it by myself in 95* heat, and while I would have preferred a bit more working time, I managed to get it done. Definitely have to keep moving though, and have to have all your materials out and ready and in the right place. Break it up into at least 4 batches, doing a quarter or so of your floor at a time. Having a second set of hands would make it a lot easier.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

100 percent solids are best worked from the floor not the bucket.
Heat builds in the bucket from the chemical reaction that is occurring.

Getting it out on the floor sooner allows you to maximize the pot life.

 

[tonyvlx]

So would you think mixing one whole batch(and pouring it all) will give me enough time to coat 440 sq/ft or should i just make and mix 4 batches??

 

[fstbusa]

Definitely do batches. Never know what suprises you will run into.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

So would you think mixing one whole batch(and pouring it all) will give me enough time to coat 440 sq/ft or should i just make and mix 4 batches??

you'll have one hell of a mess if you mix it all at once........why not just follow the directions?........ if you do you'll have plenty of time.
make sure you have extra rollers after a couple of batches they start to set up and need to be changed.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

also make sure you have some spiked shoes and make sure you tighten the spikes before you use them. you have to have these because you have to walk on the floor while its still curing to do the back roll and take care of any air bubbles you may get.

A gas leaf blower is also a must incase you have any outgasing (air bubbles)

 

[slickgt1]

also make sure you have some spiked shoes and make sure you tighten the spikes before you use them. you have to have these because you have to walk on the floor while its still curing to do the back roll and take care of any air bubbles you may get.

A gas leaf blower is also a must incase you have any outgasing (air bubbles)

Gas leaf blower. Can you explain how this would help with air bubbles? First time I see this. Thanks.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

the bubbles usually don't appear at first they usually appear once the product starts to cure. You can put on the spike shoes walk over to where the bubbles are and use the leaf blower to smooth them out

 

[slickgt1]

Oh I get it. Like blowing on them. Can't one just pop them? Or it won't level out?

 

[P0234]

15 minutes is a scare tactic BUT it is necessary for everyone doing it themselves the first time. Looking back, I could easily do the whole 2 car garage in one swoop, but that's with practice. The cutting in takes very little time, spreading evenly takes more of your time. You'll get puddles you'll have to deal with.

Air temp also has little to do with cure rate, its all about the concrete temp. You also want throw your first coat on as temps are dropping, not increasing and your chances for bubbles go way up as the concrete is pushing out moisture as it heats up.

Get the spiked shoes, they are $12 from Amazon. Use loctite on them otherwise you'll find nuts and bolts in your finish.

 

[tonyvlx]

Ok looks like ill be mixing 4 differnt batches using 4 different buckets. Now what should i do with the mixing bit that comes with the kit in between batches?? Should i wash it after every mix???

 

[P0234]

Just wipe it off with a shop rag.

 

[rugerlady]

The 15 minutes is not a scare tactic, you have about 15 minutes to get each batch cut in and spread out, once the epoxy is spread out you have about 30 minutes to roll and back roll the epoxy. In total you will have about 45 minutes for each batch.

 

[csp]

We didn't do anything with our mixing paddles between batches. It really doesn't take long to apply a batch, especially with two people.

We mixed a batch, poured it on the floor and my wife would cut it in. Once the cut in was done I would spread with the squeegee and backroll while my wife was working on mixing the next batch.