Etch a brand new slab?

[scottzilla]

I bought the Rustoleum epoxy kit from Lowes, this kit comes with a product to etch the concrete. My slab is brand new (Just over a month) and was wondering if the etching process is necessary?

 

[memento]

I believe that it is still necessary.

 

[eraugrad04]

Yes, you will still want to etch the floor. I am starting my epoxy floor next week and it too is a brand new slab. Because of a sealer/curing agent that was used in the finishing process by the builder, I am going grind the floors first then etch just to be safe.

The etching helps to provide a good bonding profile for the epoxy.

Hope this helps!
ERAU

 

[rugerlady]

Even though it is a new slab, you still must etch. You get a much better bond with the concrete (from any coating). Hope this helps.

 

[mo2872]

Was wondering that myself, since my stuff just came in yesterday(performance epoxy, no clear!) Thanks rugerlady(and scottzilla for asking in the first place).

 

[rugerlady]

Was wondering that myself, since my stuff just came in yesterday(performance epoxy, no clear!) Thanks rugerlady(and scottzilla for asking in the first place).

no problem, let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[AlphaGarage]

The muriatic acid dissolve and dislodges the calcium in the concrete, but largely leaves the other components untouched. When done that leaves a lot of small craters on top of the concrete, those voids serve as small keyholes for the epoxy primer to seep into and mechanically lock into. The increased overall surface area also gives the primer more area to chemically bond with

 

[pima67]

While I used the Quickrette kit from Lowe's, the instructions about using a watering can to spread the etcher didn't work well for me. After using the watering can and scrub brush, patches of concrete didn't appear to be etched properly. So I dug into the pool supplies and used muratic acid but sprayed it on using a plastic sprayer. The only metal component is the pump handle which didn't appear to be affected by the acid since it is inside a plastic pump barrel. With the sprayer I was able to spread the acid mixture more evenly over the surface.

 

[AlphaGarage]

Yup - sprayers do help spread the acid. For just a one time use the cheap sprayers found in big box stores work fine. If you're going to do this more than once you might want to buy a sprayer designed for acid work. Also good if you're going to be acid staining.

They help if the substrate is real porous, liquid applied with a roller get sucked up fast, applied with a sprayer they rest on top and actually have a chance to stain.

 

[TheBanker]

While I used the Quickrette kit from Lowe's, the instructions about using a watering can to spread the etcher didn't work well for me. After using the watering can and scrub brush, patches of concrete didn't appear to be etched properly. So I dug into the pool supplies and used muratic acid but sprayed it on using a plastic sprayer. The only metal component is the pump handle which didn't appear to be affected by the acid since it is inside a plastic pump barrel. With the sprayer I was able to spread the acid mixture more evenly over the surface.

I agree, the watering can did not work well for me either.