Epoxy Project Questions

[TextileWolf]

Hey Guys.

I just recieved my primer, epoxy, and clear from Justin at GFLLC and I am excited to put it down. I want to get on it ASAP as the weather isn't going to get warmer.

I am hoping to get the floor ground this weekend. I was going to pressure was the floor after I was done with the grinding. However, since time is of the essence, I was thinking about trying to clean it without getting the floor wet. Would vacuuming, blowing, sweeping get the floor clean enough? That way I could get the floor down the middle of next week.

Thanks for the help and I am sure I will have more questions.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Best just to ask your supplier, they give excellent customer service and will let you know if you can apply without prep. No one can answer better than the manufacturer.

 

[Jayhawk_Aviator]

TextileWolf,

I'm going through the same thing you are. I ended up grinding, vaccuuming, then pressure washing and glad I did. The dust is very fine and it is very challenging to get it all up without it.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Hey Guys.

I just recieved my primer, epoxy, and clear from Justin at GFLLC and I am excited to put it down. I want to get on it ASAP as the weather isn't going to get warmer.

I am hoping to get the floor ground this weekend. I was going to pressure was the floor after I was done with the grinding. However, since time is of the essence, I was thinking about trying to clean it without getting the floor wet. Would vacuuming, blowing, sweeping get the floor clean enough? That way I could get the floor down the middle of next week.

Thanks for the help and I am sure I will have more questions.

When using our epoxy products, prep is key. Rushing a job is the most certain way to have an issue. I also understand that it is getting cold and the project has to get done.

Many of our customers will grind, blow out with a compressor and then solvent wipe. You have to be absolutely certain all the dust is removed.

 

[TextileWolf]

Well I certainly don't intend to rush the prep as I know that is the most important part. Just wanted to see about an alternative route. If I did pressure wash, but is the typical time I need to wait before the primer goes down?

Thanks!

 

[Garage Flooring]

Well I certainly don't intend to rush the prep as I know that is the most important part. Just wanted to see about an alternative route. If I did pressure wash, but is the typical time I need to wait before the primer goes down?

Thanks!

I kind of figured you knew, but on the journal we have to make sure we are addressing everything because these posts are here for all to read for years to come.

I tell people at least 3 days, it can be less, and often more. If it was me I would wait three days, duct tape down a 24" piece of plastic if the concrete does not appear darkened at all and leave it there to confirm no moisture -- for 24 hours.

 

[TextileWolf]

Thanks everyone. Hope everyone enjoys the weekend. I'll be spending mine grinding my floor.

 

[TextileWolf]

I have just completed one good pass with the dimabrush and was pleased with the results. Need to clean a bit to see if it will be the only pass.

However, I noticed at the edge of the garage there is a few spots that are kinda rough.

Any advice as to how I should treat it, if at all?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Armorpoxy]

We don't think a Diamabrush will do much with this much irregularity as this is pretty substantial and will telegraph through a coating. You need a diamond cup wheel on a hand grinder to dig through this. We carry an inexpensive 4" one or they are available locally usually.


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[TextileWolf]

We don't think a Diamabrush will do much with this much irregularity as this is pretty substantial and will telegraph through a coating. You need a diamond cup wheel on a hand grinder to dig through this. We carry an inexpensive 4" one or they are available locally usually.


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You are right. The diamabrush didn't really touch it. However, I was already going to use one for the edges, and it worked perfectly. I decided to use the diamabrush for the bulk of it and most of it look pretty good, but there are spots that I am not quite sure got the profile I wanted. I spend 5 or 6 hours on it with multiple passes.

I see these posts of people using the 4" grinder for the whole floor. Sounds daunting, but after doing the edge, not sure it would have been to bad. The 4" grinder is aggressive and seems like it might have taken just as long as the diamabrush. I think I would have felt better about the end results.

 

[TextileWolf]

So after cleaning up I am a little disappointed with what 5-6 hours of the Diamabrush did. I don't think it removed all of the sealer as what stays on top in some of the darker areas. It was hard to tell how it did before I cleaned all the dust. The angle grinder preformed well at the edge as shown below.

I am unsure how I want to proceed. Would another round of Diamabrush do it? Just use the angle grinder? Or go rent a 9" grinder?

Another issue I am having is "caulk" along the wall. The first 1/3 came up in nice 6-10 pieces after working with putty knife and pliers. Now it is coming up in tiny pieces and nothing really works. Even the multitool don't do well. I don't know what it is, but works incredibly well. I even tried the angle grinder on it.

Any tips to get that up would be appreciated?

 

[Shea]

Have you done a water drop test on the darker areas you are concerned about? If they readily absorb water then you will be fine.

 

[TextileWolf]

Have you done a water drop test on the darker areas you are concerned about? If they readily absorb water then you will be fine.

I have and the water seems to want to sit on top, compared to the whiter areas. I don't feel like I know exactly what to look for.

It is hard to tell because it is still really dusty, but the darker area appears to also have a smoother surface profile. This is comparing the two areas.

Maybe I am being overly concerned and they both are sufficient to proceed?

 

[Shea]

Make sure all the dust is up in the suspect areas first before you do a water drop test. Excess dust can be hydrophobic and cause the water to bead. If the water still sits there after you have cleaned out the dust, then those areas need to be gone over again.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Make sure all the dust is up in the suspect areas first before you do a water drop test. Excess dust can be hydrophobic and cause the water to bead. If the water still sits there after you have cleaned out the dust, then those areas need to be gone over again.

Great advice!

 

[TextileWolf]

I definitely think the dust wasn't helping matters. I think it was also not knowing what to look for.

I found this online...

My floor is performing like the second part of the video and not sitting on it like the first.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[TextileWolf]

I got the floor pressure washed yesterday and used fans to dry it out and it passed the moisture test last night. I am going to give it another day and start the process of the epoxy tomorrow night. The weather has turned warmer and a perfect weekend to tackle it. I can use tonight to do a little more vacuuming and sweeping.

 

[Garage Flooring]

REMEMBER: Floor needs to be totally and completely DRY

 

[TextileWolf]

Understood. The concrete wanted to dry during the middle of me pressure washing. I am going to try the moisture test in a couple more spots tonight.

Assuming those are good...no reason I can't proceed is there? It will probably be Friday before I start...which would be 3 days.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Testing is good but look at the concrete too. Concrete tends to stay damp longer than we think and you can tell a lot by the color and feel of it. Do some of your moisture tests in any areas that are darker than the rest of the floor.

 

[TextileWolf]

I got the floor down this weekend and it is great. I could have spread the flakes a little more even, but extremely happy. I hope I got the clear spread correctly. I tried to be methodical, but really hard to see what the coverage is like.

Now that the garage floor is so nice, time to paint the walls.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Suggestion for 'flecking'... put down a sheet of clear plastic. Practice throwing the flecks to see how they 'rain down' so you get your technique...then gather up the flecks from the plastic to use on the floor.

Also when tossing the flecks never throw them 'down' as they tend to clump, toss them underhanded like a softball pitch up and away to let them rain down in a natural pattern. Also use 'fingerfuls' of flecks to start out until you get the hang of it. You can always add more, but not less.