Fixing uneven and unclean top coat

[polycurious]

Hi All,

Is there any way to fix "pooled" or heavy spots of polyaspartic top coat on the garage floor? Also, any way to get out plant matter that was sealed over w/ top coat?

I recently had an epoxy floor coating done in my garage and now 2 days after I'm noticing two major issues: 1) the top coat does not appear even and 2), due to open windows on a windy day during application, some plant matter/leaves got sealed over with top coat.

On #1, my epoxy guy swears he rolled the whole area meticulously, but I can see at least 5-6 spots where it pooled up and appears raised and heavier than the coating around it. There are also "streaks" where it appears the poly went on heavy outside the roller. If I physically touch these areas they are raised up and obviously not consistent w/ the surrounding areas.

On #2, it was a windy day when the top coat went on and it appears some plant matter blew in while the top coat was wet or before it was applied.

Anything can be done w/ either of these issues? Thanks in advance!

 

[930dreamer]

Will the installer agree to repair these areas to your satisfaction? Post some pictures please.

 

[rsanter]

Have the installer come out and see them me next person

 

[polycurious]

Will the installer agree to repair these areas to your satisfaction? Post some pictures please.

I'm sure he would attempt a repair, but I've lost trust at this point. I wanted to get a 2nd opinion on this forum if such repairs were even possible without serious grinding etc and if I'm overreacting. In addition to the issues mentioned, there was also epoxy and topcoat splattered all over the walls. Oh also, at one point the grinder slammed the drywall and left a big hole. He promises to repair, but still a headache. I'm attaching pics showing everything.

 

[930dreamer]

If it's paid for already you might not get any repair work from the installer, ask them to remove it and do it again.

 

[polycurious]

If it's paid for already you might not get any repair work from the installer, ask them to remove it and do it again.

I have not paid, yet. Redoing feels like the nuclear option. It was such an ordeal just getting this far. Would much prefer spot repair, if possible.

 

[930dreamer]

There's floor experts on this forum , I'm sure someone will chime in. DON'T pay for the work until your satisfied with all the damage repair and coating issues.

 

[Shea]

Hi All,

Is there any way to fix "pooled" or heavy spots of polyaspartic top coat on the garage floor? Also, any way to get out plant matter that was sealed over w/ top coat?

I recently had an epoxy floor coating done in my garage and now 2 days after I'm noticing two major issues: 1) the top coat does not appear even and 2), due to open windows on a windy day during application, some plant matter/leaves got sealed over with top coat.

On #1, my epoxy guy swears he rolled the whole area meticulously, but I can see at least 5-6 spots where it pooled up and appears raised and heavier than the coating around it. There are also "streaks" where it appears the poly went on heavy outside the roller. If I physically touch these areas they are raised up and obviously not consistent w/ the surrounding areas.

On #2, it was a windy day when the top coat went on and it appears some plant matter blew in while the top coat was wet or before it was applied.

Anything can be done w/ either of these issues? Thanks in advance!

From looking at your pictures, it appears that the clear coat application was a simple case of poor attention to detail and is not indicative of professional work. This can happen from working in a hurry. Fortunately, it is not a difficult fix. It will require heavy block sanding or light grinding of the heavy spots to bring them down to level. The rest of the floor would need to be deglossed via sanding or using a floor maintainer with a green or black scrub pad (dry). Solvent wipe the surface and then apply a new clear coat.

 

[Andy Smith Jr.]

That is horrible workmanship. I would have to ask for them to at least sand the existing floor and recoat. And I would be there watching I’ve then while they did it to put some pressure on them. That effort is terrible.

 

[polycurious]

From looking at your pictures, it appears that the clear coat application was a simple case of poor attention to detail and is not indicative of professional work. This can happen from working in a hurry. Fortunately, it is not a difficult fix. It will require heavy block sanding or light grinding of the heavy spots to bring them down to level. The rest of the floor would need to be deglossed via sanding or using a floor maintainer with a green or black scrub pad (dry). Solvent wipe the surface and then apply a new clear coat.

Thanks, this is the info I was looking for. Unfortunately, what seems an "easy" fix is not so easy for us. Moving all of our stuff in and out of the garage is a big hassle and must be coordinated with our HOA as they don't typically allow anything sitting in the driveway that isn't a car. Also, the fumes of the top coat were so toxic my wife got ill and we had to get a hotel. I actually think that's why the job was rushed as there wasn't good ventilation while it was being applied (due to closed windows/doors to keep wind out) and the guy said he almost fainted. Ultimately had to open a window and that's what led to the plant matter getting in. At this point, I think I'll just ask for a discount on the cost and live with the imperfections.

 

[930dreamer]

Don't ask for a discount, you decide what a poorly done job is worth and pay them it.

 

[Armorpoxy]

We often find that many 'professionals' are not what they claim to be and in our experience of catering to DIY they do a better job since they take the time to read directions and ask questions prior to starting.

 

[eetkin]

Do you guys have any thoughts on how this looks? In the middle it appears to look like pooled coating, but the installer sanded it off, re-applied and it looks the exact same. The concrete underneath was free from anything - nice and clean.

Is this an illusion?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

From your comments we can deduce that the lighting was probably off doing this with the garage door down. It also limited their ability to look across the floor from the outside to spot any issues. When doing a Full Flake no matter what the product is, you have to back roll excessively to achieve an even looking coat. Even then you could still have some small blemishes. If the wind was that crazy, it would’ve been smart to postpone until the next day. Everything we see in the pictures can be undone, except perhaps the pooling in the joints, you may have to live with that. Good luck.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Hi All,

Is there any way to fix "pooled" or heavy spots of polyaspartic top coat on the garage floor? Also, any way to get out plant matter that was sealed over w/ top coat?

I recently had an epoxy floor coating done in my garage and now 2 days after I'm noticing two major issues: 1) the top coat does not appear even and 2), due to open windows on a windy day during application, some plant matter/leaves got sealed over with top coat.

On #1, my epoxy guy swears he rolled the whole area meticulously, but I can see at least 5-6 spots where it pooled up and appears raised and heavier than the coating around it. There are also "streaks" where it appears the poly went on heavy outside the roller. If I physically touch these areas they are raised up and obviously not consistent w/ the surrounding areas.

On #2, it was a windy day when the top coat went on and it appears some plant matter blew in while the top coat was wet or before it was applied.

Anything can be done w/ either of these issues? Thanks in advance!

Polyaspartics can be tough to work with. That is one reason we won't sell them to anyone who is not experienced in the applications. Polyurea, by contrast, can be much easier to work with. As an industry professional, it would not be fair for me to pass judgment on someone else's installation. What I can say is what I would do if I were in your shoes.

First, I am no lawyer, and you may need to check the legal ramifications of holding payment. Could they file a lien? That said... If it was me

Walk the garage and check for any and all issues I would have them sand and solvent wipe and go back over with a fresh coat.

I would then walk the garage very carefully and make sure there were no other issues (again). Now you have an obligation to say it is correct and pay the contractor or to point out the flaws. I would personally want written assurances that if the product fails, they will come back and fix it. My concerns would be.... If this is how the top coat looked, how is the prep? Did they prep properly before the next coat or will it delaminate