Got bubbles in my Epoxy Coat!

[jlansaw]

I decided to Epoxy Coat my bathroom for a little practice before I do the rest of the 1500 sq.ft. shop. Clean and prepped as instructed, no problem, mixed no problem, applied no problem, back rolled twice, no problem then flaked no problem. I was satisfied with the way it looked. Cleaned up and called it a day. Checked on it about 4 hours later and found bubbles everywhere, Damn! Can't fix it now and no they weren't there before flaking so I couldn't roll them out. Am I gonna have this happen all over when I do the rest of the floor? What did I do wrong? Now I'm paranoid about doing the rest of the floor!

BTW my Lowe's where I bought the 4 full kits for $169 each have now jumped the price to $194.

 

[stafford]

Well, you must have followed the directions to the letter. The directions say to stir each component with a drill for 2 or 3 minutes and then mix them together and stir well for 3 or 4 more minutes, that introduces all kinds of air into the damned stuff, you can see them in there and set and wait on them to dissipate, all along you're worried about pot life. Put it on the floor and looks pretty good and then the next day you've got these damned bubbles. yeah it happened to me too. on the last coat I just stirred it all with a paint stick, it worked out fine but the damage was already done in the first coat, kinda pissed me off too. Mix it gently with a paint stick. The containers of material that I had did not have any settling in the bottoms of the can, they should not have been stirred so vigorously, I'd say that if you have settling in the bottom of the can, to stir the hell out of it, and let it set until the next day hoping the air will dissipate. *****

 

[hldtyt]

I used a mixer like this one

when I used Wolverine a few years back. I didnt have any issues with air. I did run it on low though. I like the idea of letting it sit after you mix it.

What other suggestions for a mixing attachments are there to avoid adding air the product?

Do you think the concrete was out gassing?

 

[jlansaw]

Well, you must have followed the directions to the letter. The directions say to stir each component with a drill for 2 or 3 minutes and then mix them together and stir well for 3 or 4 more minutes

Yeah I mixed it just like the directions fearing if I didn't, something would go wrong! Didn't realize stiring like in structed would do this this! (although instructions just say stir, not on high or low or vigorously or lightly, just stir) I have read and read about this stuff hoping to get it right when it came my turn and I still get screwed!

That's why I did my small bathroom first in case something didn't work out at least I can shut the door on the screwup.

Now, I think i'll mix the 3 part A's together the day before I do the rest of the floor and let it sit. Then mix A and B together by hand gently as mentioned and hope the bubbles stay away!

Man I'm still pissed! I thought to myself, this isn't so bad, followed the instructions, turned out looking great can't wait to do the rest of the floor and then the F'ing bubbles! It's always something!

 

[fitzgr8]

http://www.bontool.com/product1.asp?P=PORCUPINEROLLER

You needed one of these. Same thing happened to me and I was ready for it!

 

[kywildcat]

There had got to be a better way instead of spending 150 bucks on a roller to fix it. Something else had to go wrong!!!

 

[jlansaw]

There had got to be a better way instead of spending 150 bucks on a roller to fix it. Something else had to go wrong!!!

I agree. I don't think I'll spend $150 on a special roller. Funny how I haven't seen other posts on the bubble problem? I'm one of the lucky few it happened to.

 

[tncatadjuster]

Bubbles can be due to air being displaced as coating seeps into slab. Prime coat not monolithic. Try again and good luck.

 

[PontiacFan]

Did you try the taped-on plastic-wrap method/check first to make sure there isn't a problem with moisture seeping up thru the concrete?

 

[fitzgr8]

Bubbles can be due to air being displaced as coating seeps into slab. Prime coat not monolithic. Try again and good luck.

Or two much moisture in the concrete.

 

[jlansaw]

Did you try the taped-on plastic-wrap method/check first to make sure there isn't a problem with moisture seeping up thru the concrete?

I didn't do the plastic thing but I will check it before the I do the rest of the floor. The floor was poured in October of 2010 7 months ago. Didn't realize this could still be a problem?

 

[PontiacFan]

 

[rugerlady]

jlansaw,
Call me at the office. We can discuss your outgassing issues and figure out how to fix them.

 

[steven083008]

I've never done this, but I know that painters will run their paint through a fine filter/cheese cloth to get any clumps, etc. out of it. This should also get most/all air bubbles out, and may be a cheap preventative measure.

Like I said, I've never done this, but is seems logical, so I thought I would throw the idea out there.

 

[tncatadjuster]

Like I said, I've never done this, but is seems logical, so I thought I would throw the idea out there.

 

[mspeters]

Would a hand vacuum pump be another option?
drill a small hole in the top of the can give it a try...

 

[TOOL MASTER]

raydon gas...run for your life..lol

 

[MantisX]

So im about to buy some epoxy-coat myself in the coming week. My house is new and they poured the garage slab a few months ago. Am I going to have this bubbling issue too?

Regards,
MantisX

 

[jmotox24]

So im about to buy some epoxy-coat myself in the coming week. My house is new and they poured the garage slab a few months ago. Am I going to have this bubbling issue too?

Regards,
MantisX

+1 Just built my garage 2 months ago.

 

[tncatadjuster]

So im about to buy some epoxy-coat myself in the coming week. My house is new and they poured the garage slab a few months ago. Am I going to have this bubbling issue too?

Regards,
MantisX

Only if your lucky. IF you prime, you should have no problem with bubbles. Any air movement will increase your chances of bubbles, just read and learn.

 

[rugerlady]

Outgassing can happen, luckily it does not happen that often. If you have more questions on this, call me.

 

[AlphaGarage]

One way to decrease the possibility of out gassing is to apply the primer coat later in the day. Early in the day air, and slab, temperatures are more likely to be rising, the temperature increase will cause air in the concrete to expand. That will form bubbles, which may get trapped in the hardening coating.

Later in the day or early evening the temps should be cooling, reducing air expansion and in turn possible bubbles.

Of course another source of bubbles is over agitating during the mixing, which can happen (and be controlled) any time of day or night.