Finally decided on Epoxy-Coat - let's hear tips and tricks from those who've done it!

[Redshift]

Hey all - I finally decided after a long and challenging process and bought epoxy-coat's product. I'll be doing a 20mil thickness on my floor along with light to medium flake broadcast.

I have a 23x27 brand new slab, no expansion joints, with multiple tiny hairline cracks. I have driven my car and motorcycle inside, but on top of a tarp to protect from tires hitting the concrete. There should be no chemicals of any kind on the floor to my knowledge.

My plan is to follow their instructions to the letter, with the added step (suggested by Christine) of using a non-silicone based caulk to fill in the hairline cracks.

So my plan is to clean/vacuum, acid wash, caulk, epoxy, flake. I think I have everything I need on hand.

I will be watching their video and reading their instructions 10 times before starting, but for those of you who have used this particular brand, I'd like to hear some tips and tricks that were not covered in the instructions. What did you do that helped? What would you have done differently if given the chance? Stuff like that.

Having read many threads about temp and humidity being important, I'm guessing I should apply the actual epoxy mid-day or afternoon to be sure I get it done right.

I've read every epoxy-coat thread already on the board, but am curious if those who see this thread can chime in, even if briefly.

Thank you for your help! Here is the garage to be coated:

 

[regguy1]

Keep posting your progress

 

[JustPerformance]

Hey I did my floor in June, it was epoxy-coat. everything went well. I would recommend using more acid than recommended. I used the supplied floor prep and I didn't find that it achieved the right texture. So I bought alot more acid and increased the ratio of acid to water, and everything worked out. Also pressure washed after the acid.
I edged and rolled the whole thing in sections. I had to move really fast to get the edging done and roll out before the 15min were up. I would recommend having help if the help is worth having, if you get what I mean. Good luck, its all in the prep.

 

[Truxton]

I am having a new garage floor done as we speak, and I would like to epoxy it.
How long did you wait before you epoxied?
Did you have the contractor do anything specific when he poured knowing that you were going to epoxy it?
Thanks!

 

[Redshift]

Hey I did my floor in June, it was epoxy-coat. everything went well. I would recommend using more acid than recommended. I used the supplied floor prep and I didn't find that it achieved the right texture. So I bought alot more acid and increased the ratio of acid to water, and everything worked out. Also pressure washed after the acid.
I edged and rolled the whole thing in sections. I had to move really fast to get the edging done and roll out before the 15min were up. I would recommend having help if the help is worth having, if you get what I mean. Good luck, its all in the prep.

Looks great! Are you happy with it?

How did you know the texture wasn't right before applying the epoxy? I bought enough for a double thickness so I can easily use half the water in my prep mixture to achieve better results, and I always keep muriatic on hand for my pool, so if I need more I can mix that also.

 

[Redshift]

I am having a new garage floor done as we speak, and I would like to epoxy it.
How long did you wait before you epoxied?
Did you have the contractor do anything specific when he poured knowing that you were going to epoxy it?
Thanks!

I have read anywhere from 30-40 days after the slab is poured before you can epoxy. My slab was not sealed or anything - just polished a bit for a smooth texture.

My slab is about 45-50 days old already and I have done the water tests that Wolverine's instructions recommend, and found nothing, so I think I'm good to go.

 

[rugerlady]

If you are planning on having cement poured, I would recommend a light broom finish, if you are using 100% solids epoxy. Definitely no sealer should be applied. You should let your concrete cure for about 30 days before applying any coating.

 

[Truxton]

I have heard something on here somewhere about needing a vapor barrier underneath the concrete. True?

 

[rugerlady]

Depends on the amount of moisture you get on your concrete. You can do a hydrostatic pressure test if you normal get alot water coming up through the concrete. The 100% solid epoxies can usually hold down a good amount of water pressure from no vapor barrier.

 

[Redshift]

Prep done - twice - but am I ready?

So I used up all the prep solution in the 2.5 kits I bought (remember, I bought double the amount I need for the coverage area so I can get 20mil thickness at the end - meaning I was supposed to have twice as much prep solution as required for my square footage). It spread faster than I expected so I had to supplement with my own muriatic acid. The entire floor sizzled really nicely when the acid hit it.

I scrubbed the hell out of it - twice in fact, because after I went over the entire thing with prep solution, it didn't seem etched enough, so I went back with highly concentrated muriatic (I would say no more than 50% water, the rest was liquid muriatic right from the bottle) and boy did it steam and sizzle when hitting the floor.

I let it all sit for about 15 min or so, then rinsed it off. What I found was that much of the floor feels like sandpaper - not quite 120 grit, but maybe 200 grit. But some parts are still feeling too smooth to my hand. The entire floor sizzled and bubbled as it was supposed to, and I have gone over every inch of it twice, the second time with very highly concentrated acid. I got on my hands and knees and went over every inch feeling it to see how close to "120 grit" it felt.

So, my question is - what now? Go back over it again with even more acid (say, pure from the bottle)? Cave and buy a diamond grinder?

Before anyone asks, my floor is brand new and has not been sealed or anything, so I know it's not that.

 

[JustPerformance]

I'm very happy I've got the best floor in the complex. I was told that it should be textured like sandpaper roughly 100 grit. But I don't think my floor was even that rough. Its the smooth spots that are the concern.

 

[Redshift]

Mine came out okay. I'm happy with it but it could look better. Once I get stuff moved in I guess it will be fine.

I will post a full separate thread on the entire procedure I did separately from this thread.