I made a terrible mistake with epoxy floor.

[ezezim17]

I am so embarrassed by this. Without getting into this long drawn out post, I royally screwed up. This is my 1st post here because I'm not sure where else to turn. I decided to take on the project of putting down an epoxy floor in my basement. Everything was going smoothly. There was a ton of prep work that I did, degrease, grind, patch, sand patches, refill some more holes, resand. Vacuumed, wiped everything down. I was just about ready to put down my 1st coat.

I didn't want anything fancy, but i didn't like what the big box stores had to offer. I found a local company that sold epoxy and I got a solid charcoal color with a matte finish. The brand is polyrez. It's their 250 HP cyclo 100% epoxy A & B. I got two 3 gallon kits that would be enough for 2 coats. I also got the Polyrez 610 WB Matte finish urethane, which is a 56% solid low odor water based A & B kit.

This is where I royally screwed up. I accidentally mixed the Matte finish A with the Epoxy B kit. Yes, I also mixed in the color. And yes I spread it all over my floor. Here I am 8 hrs later and it doesn't seem like it is drying. What am I to do if it stays sticky? I've already scraped up all the clumps. But what's left is still stcky. Should I try to wash it with acetone or denatured alcohol? I am beside myself with disappointment on this. I'm so angry at myself for making this mistake. Please help. And thanks for reading.

 

[FJ4FUN]

It happens.... scrape us as much as you can then scrub with MEK, if you can get it, or denatured alcohol. Work small areas at a time and allow the fumes to dissipate before starting the next area. In a basement the BIG concern is adequate ventilation along with spark/fire awareness as is with any solvents. Make sure all pilot lights, electric motors, any sources of static electricity etc. are off and, again, fresh air ventilation is abundant. Dispose of all rags correctly, don't let them pile up in a corner. Take your time, you may need to go over it twice.

Tip: before mixing any 2k products I always encourage my customers to 1st separate all the components by type and store them away from the job area then only bring out the product you're going to apply at that moment. Example, bring out the primer parts A&B leave body coat and clear coat products in the house. This is especially true if you've wrangled in friends to help.

Best of luck!

 

[ezezim17]

It happens.... scrape us as much as you can then scrub with MEK, if you can get it, or denatured alcohol. Work small areas at a time and allow the fumes to dissipate before starting the next area. In a basement the BIG concern is adequate ventilation along with spark/fire awareness as is with any solvents. Make sure all pilot lights, electric motors, any sources of static electricity etc. are off and, again, fresh air ventilation is abundant. Dispose of all rags correctly, don't let them pile up in a corner. Take your time, you may need to go over it twice.

Tip: before mixing any 2k products I always encourage my customers to 1st separate all the components by type and store them away from the job area then only bring out the product you're going to apply at that moment. Example, bring out the primer parts A&B leave body coat and clear coat products in the house. This is especially true if you've wrangled in friends to

Thank you for the reply and thank you for the tip. After wiping and scrubbing it all up, will I have grind again?
Thanks again.

 

[FJ4FUN]

No you should be good to go.

 

[nadogail]

Stories like this are why reading and following directions are important.

 

[rd65]

If you haven't used MEK before it is beyond nasty. Try other options before using that stuff. You state is it a basement, be careful, use LOTS of ventilation.

 

[Armorpoxy]

If you scrape up the goo with a floor scraper you should be ok. We occasinally have clients that do this. Sometimes tossing into the muck some cat litter helps to absorb it and make it easier to sweep up, that or speedy dry like in an auto shop also can help absorb it.

 

[engineer2]

Can't stress safety enough when using solvents in confined spaces. There was a local news story about workers using solvent to clean floor adhesive in a basement. There was a flash fire. Not sure if they survived.

 

[ezezim17]

If you scrape up the goo with a floor scraper you should be ok. We occasinally have clients that do this. Sometimes tossing into the muck some cat litter helps to absorb it and make it easier to sweep up, that or speedy dry like in an auto shop also can help absorb it.

After I get up the goo, if the floor is still tacky would I still be able to put epoxy over it? Or do I have to scrub down to the concrete?

 

[Armorpoxy]

Normally some residual tack stuff is ok. Remember it's a basement, not a garage so only foot traffic.

 

[FJ4FUN]

Stories like this are why reading and following directions are important.

It also illustrates a phenomenon that I see quite frequently when it comes to DIY 2k coatings applications. There's so much information out there, much of it confusing and seemingly conflicting, leading to "analysis paralysis" which then results in anxiety levels going way up the moment the cans come out! Blood pressure rises, the sense of time gets distorted, and everybody FREEQs out!

EVERYTHING IS ABOUT PREP. Not only prepping the concrete correctly but also being methodical and well prepared for mixing and applying the product. Read every line of the instructions carefully. Then... read it again. If you have any lingering questions contact your supplier and get the answers, don't guess!

When you're ready to apply the coating take time to prep your mixing station/area paying attention to the little details and possible contingencies such as:
If applicable, make sure spike shoes are properly fitted and ready
Roller covers are de-linted (if that's a word?) and setup
Everyone has an extra set of gloves and some clean paper towels on them in case they need them
Timer for mixing is ready
A back-up 1/2" drill motor is mandatory in case one burns out mid-mix (Wolverine product in particular is very thick and will definitely give lesser drill motors a workout) If you burn out a drill mid-mix w/o a back up YOU ARE SCREWED in so many ways...
A spray bottle, or two, of the applicable solvent is handy along with plenty of heavy duty paper towels for clean up of the inevitable drips, spills and cleaning of tools
If you have helpers, everyone knows their job
Flakes are well blended
Double check, triple check that you have the correct Parts A&B for the task at hand
Then, go for it!

 

[Armorpoxy]

One thing we recommend is that using multi layer systems, get your cans organized into 'families' and keep them well apart. Use family 1 for step one, family two for step two, etc. Being organized and prepared takes only minutes and can save huge headaches!

 

[ezezim17]

Normally some residual tack stuff is ok. Remember it's a basement, not a garage so only foot traffic.

Thank you for the reply. I really appreciate the info. I've been down there all day scrubbing every square inch with a wire brush and scraper thinking that I needed to get back down to concrete.

 

[gleman]

Don't feel too bad.

I got talked out of the tobacco color for my basement shop and ended up with Thousand Island Dressing.



When I'm staring at the floor I hear this.

 

[FJ4FUN]

Oh great.... Thanks for the earworm!

 

[ezezim17]

Update:

So for the past 2 days I've been scrubbing away with denatured alcohol, tons of rags, scrapers and wire brushes. I did what was suggested. I had plenty of ventilation and used a reusable respirator and worked small sections at a time. It was not fun. But what can I do? I screwed it up, so I got to straighten it out. I got it down to being mostly concrete. I couldn't get the color off. There were some spots that were a little more tacky than others but I did the best that I could.

About an hour ago I finished the 1st actual coat. And yes, I read the containers 1st. And wow, what a difference with the way it went on this time. So much smoother than the mess that I started with. So far so good. I'll keep updating with how it comes out to anyone interested. At 1st glance it looks pretty good. I figure I'll most likely have some bubbling in some spots, but that's expected at this point. I'll sand out whatever is there and then I plan on applying the 2nd coat tomorrow late morning, and possibly the matte finish topcoat late tomorrow night.

Thank you very much to the people who helped with their suggestions. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[ezezim17]

Finally done. Thanks again. If anyone is interested in more photos of the before and after grind, the before and after accident, and then the after clean up, I'd be more than happy to post.

 

[FJ4FUN]

Well done, that looks great!

 

[Skiff Builder]

Looking good now!

I use white vinegar to clean up uncured mixed boat epoxy as well as the resin or hardener when unmixed. Would this work on the flooring products also?

 

[Armorpoxy]

Fantastic save! Now, go have a beer (or two)!