Epoxy floor paint. Rough patch prep?

[TeamTruett]

I have a small rough/pitted area on my floor. (see pic) Does this need to be addressed before painting. If so how? I have heard and read that epoxy will self level and fill in textured spots, but I wouldn't count on it. Also for thin cracks (1/16") what brand of chalk is recommended?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Truett:
Epoxy is a coating, not a filler. Anything not filled will likely telegraph through the coating. We offer a patch/resurfacer as well as a crack material, all are epoxy and compatible with all quality coatings (Epoxy Coat, Norklad, Armar Garage etc...).

Caulk is not for cracks and if it has silicone in it, it will likely fail.

 

[TeamTruett]

Thanks! Glad I asked. I also have a spot that sweats when there is high humidity. Could that have been prevented if a vapor barrier was put down before floor was poured? Any remedy for that? I am prepping floor this weekend and painting the following weekend.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Truett:

Is it morning dew or really coming through the floor?
Do a moisture test and see what is going on.

Coatings do not like moisture and could cause failure.

Yes, a vapor barrier would have been good.

 

[TeamTruett]

The wet area comes and goes. I keep a garbage bag over it all the time since I park my car right above it. Its always visibly darker in that one spot, sweating or dry. It's about 2 sq feet.

 

[1967marti]

That sounds very wierd that you get a wet spot in the same area over and over.... Do you have a septic system or are you on city sewer?
Sounds like you are getting a surge of moisture from something in that one spot... I'm thinking a leaky pipe or something under that spot. Might be worth breaking up that spot with a jackhammer and seeing whats-what?

 

[dcs Inc]

Spray the area with some water and wait till it starts to dry. If this is the lowest section it will show itself. If that's the case , it could be you have a high humidity level in the garage and this is the last place to sweat off. Covering with plastic just allows it to stay there. You might get yourself a hygrometer (12 bucks at walmat) and it will tell you the % of moisture in the air. Air temps and concrete temps will create a wet floor. I get calls all the time with this problem and the solution is a dehumidifier.

 

[TeamTruett]

Persistant moisture spots coming up through slab (I did the plastic/tape test) prevents me from moving forward, so Im selling my kits:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159781