epoxy in winter

[gmhill33]

Greetings All,

Can you epoxy and seal a garage floor in the winter? I have heat in the garage, it stays 58 all the time but I can turn it up. I just wasn't sure about around the garage door. Doesn't the epoxy go under the door?

I can wait until spring I just want to get the garage finished up so I can get in there and play around.

Thanks,
Gary

 

[rugerlady]

Gary,
You can epoxy your floor if you can keep to floor at the above stated temp. You can't apply in 40 degrees or less. Most people stop the epoxy right at the garage door. Let me know if you have more questions on this.

 

[cowboyjosh]

My neighbor had his done last winter in Colorado during a week of id 40s to mid 50s.

 

[tncatadjuster]

Get the slab to the temp you want, and then don't change it. If you apply and then heat the space, you can run into problems. Remember each 10º drop doubles the cure time. If rated 12 hour cure at 70º, then it is 24 hour cure at 60º, 48 hour cure at 50º.

Is 58º the slab temp, or the ambient temp?

 

[Hammerdown]

You can but there are some things you should be aware of. The colder it is the longer it takes to cure. This will translate into longer re-coat times and be patient before using the floor, allow more time.
Be sure to check and make sure of the epoxy material you are working with is made of. If it is a solvent based product it will have a strong odor and typically omit flammable fumes. This could be an issue depending on what type of heat source is used. Sparks, open flames or pilot lights could ignite the fumes! If you have a radiant heat system in the slab, this could cause an issue with the epoxy curing too quickly. Since the heat source is the floor, it could premeturely flash cure the epoxy, causing bubbling or other issues. It would also reduce your work time. Stop at the garage door strike so you can actually shut the door on the tape. This will prevent any dust, debris or insects from getting on the finish.
Hope this helps,
Good luck.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Greetings All,

Can you epoxy and seal a garage floor in the winter? I have heat in the garage, it stays 58 all the time but I can turn it up. I just wasn't sure about around the garage door. Doesn't the epoxy go under the door?

I can wait until spring I just want to get the garage finished up so I can get in there and play around.

Thanks,
Gary

Poly-Aspartic can go down to teens.

 

[gmhill33]

Greetings All,

Can you epoxy and seal a garage floor in the winter? I have heat in the garage, it stays 58 all the time but I can turn it up. I just wasn't sure about around the garage door. Doesn't the epoxy go under the door?

I can wait until spring I just want to get the garage finished up so I can get in there and play around.

Thanks,
Gary

Thank to everyone for the info and remarks.

The thermometer reads 58 degrees, I'm not sure of the slab temp (how do you check that)

I do use propane heater so I will have to be very careful with the product that I use.

Thanks again,
Gary

 

[vrog]

Thank to everyone for the info and remarks.

The thermometer reads 58 degrees, I'm not sure of the slab temp (how do you check that)

I do use propane heater so I will have to be very careful with the product that I use.

Thanks again,
Gary

I like to see the slab at 65 degrees. Propane heat is a good choice. You have to be careful, some guys use those bullet heaters with kerosene. This leaves a film in the air and will create bubbles and fish eyes. Never place a heater blowing directly on the floor as it will affect the curing process.

Also, when it comes to the garage door, shut the door and snap a line about 1/4" away from the rubber gasket. it will never be 100% straight as the doors usually bow out just enough to make you second guess yourself. Depending on the thickness of the system your installing, saw cut that line 3/16" to 1/4". Tape off the line and when your done the floor pull the tape up right away.

 

[gmhill33]

I like to see the slab at 65 degrees. Propane heat is a good choice. You have to be careful, some guys use those bullet heaters with kerosene. This leaves a film in the air and will create bubbles and fish eyes. Never place a heater blowing directly on the floor as it will affect the curing process.

Also, when it comes to the garage door, shut the door and snap a line about 1/4" away from the rubber gasket. it will never be 100% straight as the doors usually bow out just enough to make you second guess yourself. Depending on the thickness of the system your installing, saw cut that line 3/16" to 1/4". Tape off the line and when your done the floor pull the tape up right away.

My wall mounted heater is about 7' high and I have two ceiling fans blowing down.

What is the saw cut for?

Thanks for the info,

Gary

 

[vrog]

My wall mounted heater is about 7' high and I have two ceiling fans blowing down.

What is the saw cut for?

Thanks for the info,

Gary

Depending on how thick of a system you are putting down:

The sawcut will make for a smoother transition from the existing concrete and new epoxy floor. That is going to be the weakest part of your new floor, right behind the garage door, and will see the most abuse. Driving in and out everyday.By sawcutting you are putting more material at the weak area which will make for a better transition and less of a "lip".

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Depending on how thick of a system you are putting down:

The sawcut will make for a smoother transition from the existing concrete and new epoxy floor. That is going to be the weakest part of your new floor, right behind the garage door, and will see the most abuse. Driving in and out everyday.By sawcutting you are putting more material at the weak area which will make for a better transition and less of a "lip".

This procedure is called making a "key" and is a smart idea.