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How long to cover fresh concrete
- Thread starter matt60j
- Start date
motofly196
Active member
Takes 27 days for a full cure...during that time there's alot going on in there...contraction/expansion. I'd bet that most manufacturers would want you to wait for a full cure before applying anything to seal it with epoxy. Curing compound can be sprayed on after finishing...but that's something totally different.
Scott
Scott
Motofixxer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2009
- Messages
- 681
Hmm with what I have learned with my recent concrete. I would say wait as long as possible. I have the Zipstrip expansion joints. And they took months for some of the narrow cracks to develop. So it's obviously curing and moving in that time. But that is in a colder climate at this time of year. The color of the concrete was also changing which is indicative of the curing process. Generally I would say wait till the interior is all finished then consider temps, and slab temps taking into account the region of the country. I know most will say 30days. But there is no way I would do it that soon. I just finished my floor. Had to do it earlier because the temps are dropping unseasonably low. So now I have to keep it covered while drywall goes and the taping, and painting...I won't be easy but gotta do what ya gotta do to git er done.
But as for the process before epoxy. Clean the floor very well. Sweep shop vac then pressure wash. Pressure washing is very important. Rent one buy one borrow one whatever it takes. I guarantee you will take more off the surface with one than any scrubbing will do. And I am talking the normal sized 2500+ PSI washers. Not those cheap little electric things. Don't waste your money. They don't last. Look for any oily spots etc clean with degreaser till water soaks in rather than beading on the surface. Then acid etch with Muriatic acid etc from Sherwin Williams or local store. Rinse the floor 3 more times sprinkle baking soda across floor to neutralize. Scrub a little with a push broom or something. Then rinse well, preferably with a pressure washer. Lots of info available on this site under flooring. And all around internet epoxy sites etc.
But as for the process before epoxy. Clean the floor very well. Sweep shop vac then pressure wash. Pressure washing is very important. Rent one buy one borrow one whatever it takes. I guarantee you will take more off the surface with one than any scrubbing will do. And I am talking the normal sized 2500+ PSI washers. Not those cheap little electric things. Don't waste your money. They don't last. Look for any oily spots etc clean with degreaser till water soaks in rather than beading on the surface. Then acid etch with Muriatic acid etc from Sherwin Williams or local store. Rinse the floor 3 more times sprinkle baking soda across floor to neutralize. Scrub a little with a push broom or something. Then rinse well, preferably with a pressure washer. Lots of info available on this site under flooring. And all around internet epoxy sites etc.
Last edited:
AlphaGarage
Well-known member
Technically the concrete will be curing for months, if not years, and will do so even if coated . But for most all situations by day 28 it's gone through enough of the reaction that it can be safely coated without compromising its strength or durability.
A good coating system will actually keep some of those hairline cracks from forming.
A good coating system will actually keep some of those hairline cracks from forming.