How long does epoxy floor coatings last?

[cwbag1]

I have read that it last from 3-5 years before needing redone. I am debating on using a epoxy floor paint on my new workshop but am nervous about how clean the concrete needs to be. It is fresh concrete with normal construction dirt/paint drips, etc. It would be ideal to powerwash the floor but I don't want all that water in the 1200 sq. ft. building and having to worry about getting it all out for the floor to dry before sealing.

Seems like a lot of work and expense if it only last 3-5 years. I realize that if the preparation is not done right then of course there will be problems. Side note, our current house is 10 years old and the garage has some type of gray coating with flakes in it. We have lived here 5 years. It has not held up well and needs redone where the cars park as well as the concrete step in front of the garage as it is chipping up there.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Nothing]

I’m probably not much help but I installed my epoxy floor at my previous house and it held up perfectly for 5 years. I’m planning to do the same with our new house but make some improvements. An extra coat of epoxy and a layer of clear epoxy.

 

[rjacobs]

Many companies that come out and do the epoxy floor for you give lifetime warranties. You are in San Antonio and there is a Garage Experts down there. They quoted me 3000 to do my 750 sq. ft. 3 car garage or $4 a sq. ft. You might get them down to $3 or 3.50 a sq. ft. for doing 1200 sq. ft.

Most of the companies on here that sell you kits, dont really warranty their products because they cant control the install. Thats not to say they dont stand behind their products, but when they cant do the install, its hard to offer a real warranty.

Most everybody on here will recommend grinding your concrete to prep it. Some will simply acid etch. Garage Experts told me they grind.

You can DIY for under $2 a sq. ft. usually from most of the vendors on here. You can rent a grinder from home depot.

Put down right, Epoxy will last a long time. Only thing product that only lasts 3-5 years is the bull **** from home depot thats water based...OR if your prep is **** and the floor peels.

 

[Shea]

Stay away from the kits you can get from your local home improvement stores. These are the ones that last 3-5 years.

This article is an example of why:https://allgaragefloors.com/why-epoxy-paint-kits-get-a-bad-rap/

 

[cwbag1]

Thanks I will give Garage Experts a call. Seems like I have seen several more advertising locally on Facebook. I was warned to stay away from the big box store kits.

 

[Chevota Guy]

In my last house I used ArmorPoxy w/ flakes and it held up extremely well for 10 years. No failure of the base coat I did do the grind, etch prepwork as the floor was 30 yrs old and had grease and oil stains that had to be dealt with. The only thing was that the clear coat final coating dulled and was due for a refreshment when I sold the house. The new buyer was happy with it as was and has never restored the high gloss.

In my current home I had a pro do the floor and used Granitex by Arizona Polymer Flooring. It is 3.5 years old and still looks brand new. Proper preparation and a solid product are the keys to a long lasting floor.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Ask for a "Full Flake System" with a Polyaspartic or Polyurea Sealer Coat.
This is a VERY long lasting system, will outlive many owners if done right!

 

[Elsinore13]

Good grade epoxy pushing 6 years old and has been underwater flooded twice so far...

Granted, no cars driving through here but a good bit of activity through the years. It is still perfect except where an engine fell off of a plastic tote after floating up and tipping over during the flood.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Hi All, we get asked this question almost daily about how long the epoxy lasts. The truly honest answer is we don't know, it's kind of like "how long will this car last". Cars that are barely driven, properly stored and lovingly cared for can last 50 or more years as we all know!

Life span is based on many, many variables such as type of product, how applied, condition of concrete, weather/exposure to salts and chemicals, cleaning/maintenance, sun exposure, usage in/out, etc. A lightly used epoxy floor in Florida that sees only a golf cart will last 10-20x longer than the a heavily used working garage in Buffalo NY.

A parking-only garage for display cars the floors could last 50 years w/o any issues. A heavy usage truck shop may need topcoat redone every few years. It varies widely.

Our normal answer is that if you maintain the protective topcoat based on the above the floor will last forever. Topcoat is a 'sacrificial' product that protects the floors and will wear as there is NO product make that is wear-proof. Topcoat is easily reapplied with minimal prep.

 

[CJseven]

So when do you know to reapply a new top coat?

 

[dylanmitchell]

Prior owner put a big box store epoxy on before selling that lasted us 6 months or a year before it started peeling. Epoxy should last several years is properly prepped and installed. We had a local company grind the old epoxy off and install spartacote polyaspartic. We had moisture in our slab and also did the water sealant coating so we could get the 10-year warranty. Epoxy is supposed to be more DIY friendly and I think both will last a long time if you have good prep and use quality products.

We looked at acid and/or renting concrete grinding equipment and doing a self install but ending up hiring a local company that does spartacote polyaspartic. They did a great job and I expect 15-20 years minimum.

I'd be just as happy with a concrete floor in good condition but once any coatingis put on it's almost impossible to go back to bare concrete.

 

[Armorpoxy]

To determine when to reapply topcoat, the floor will start to dull out, normally where the tires come in/out due to gravel and **** on them.

 

[Kristang]

I'm having an overflake with polyaspartic done in my garage next week. The installer is giving me a lifetime warranty. His biggest company is a refuse company, has coated their repair shop floors for over 10 years. Must be a good product!

 

[ard]

My shop has a rustoleum 6500 system red epoxy for 15 years. Wood working, paint, welding, grinding. It still works.