Lessons Learned using Epoxy-Coat

deosola · Sep 9, 2012

I spent the past 3 days laying down epoxy on my garage.

I used the following products:

1) 4100 Primer from Versatile Building Products
2) 1.5 kits of epoxy from Epoxy-Coat

3) 5073 Polyurea from Versatile Building Products

4) Paint buckets from Lowes. . .including a six 5qt paint buckets w/measurement lines

5) Spike shoes

Key take away from the products used is the paint bucket w/measurements makes mixing up the products much easier. It should be included w/each kit. If not, go find it. It will make your life easier.

Spike shoes are also needed if you are going to add flecks.

Familyof8kids · Sep 9, 2012

Do you have any pictures?
If you have a failure how will you know what failed? You used a product below and above the Epoxy-Coat that Epoxy-Coat does not manufacture or support.

deosola · Sep 9, 2012

Etching

Thursday evening I cleaned and etch.

I used muratic acid instead of the stuff supplied by Epoxy-Coat. I also used a stiff scrubbing brush which I used to "sprinkle" the acid on the floor.

Nothing much to say about this step except that it is important.

deosola · Sep 9, 2012

Familyof8kids said:
Do you have any pictures?

I have pictures. . .but it looks like this forum requires a picture hosting site that I don't use.

Familyof8kids · Sep 9, 2012

Using an outside host allows you to have larger more detailed photos. If you click advanced at the bottom of the reply message you can attach your pictures if they meet the sizing requirements. Then pictures can only be seen by registered members only.

deosola · Sep 9, 2012

Friday morning was the primer.

I applied it staring around 10:30 and finished about 12:30.

The 4100 primer was absorbed easily by the concrete. Some areas needed another coating because the floor "drank" it up.

I know Epoxy-Coat doesn't recommend a primer and usage of one probably voids the warranty, but it seems to make sense to use one.

This particular primer also prevents moisture from evaporating through the floor. Seems like that should help the bubble issue that some have had.

4100 is fairly easy to use.

deosola · Sep 9, 2012

Friday evening was Epoxy-Coat.

While the etch and primer were done by myself alone, I had a friend help w/the Epoxy-Coat. This really does help since Epoxy-Coat does indeed get hot and thick fairly quickly.

Key lesson, make small batches and have a friend help you.

I also put on the fleck while my friend was mixing the next batch. Sugestion. . .put on the fleck after you put on the Epoxy-Coat. If you do as I did, it becomes hard to tell where you did not coat since the flecks could look like bare floor (or vice versa).

Also, it is very hard to get a medium density coverage.

deosola · Sep 9, 2012

Sat morning:

Epoxy-Coat was great looking. It didn't even look like it needed a top coat.

But I wanted to put the Polyurea on anyways.

The 5073 Polyurea is very easy to use. Of the steps here, the top coat was done in about an hour. It spreads like easily but it is so clear that it is hard to tell where you coated and where you didn't. So it is important to designate one section at at time and overlap areas.

Also, don't over roll. You can introduce bubbles and make the topcoat too thin. I really like 5073.

But it does give off vapors that are flammable. So turn off anything w/a pilot light.

I have pics. . .but let me figure out how to post them.

Familyof8kids · Sep 9, 2012

deosola said:
Also, it is very hard to get a medium density coverage.

Why?

Roger555 · Sep 9, 2012

Hey man i'll host the pics for you I sent you a PM !! I want to see that Polyurea cause I need to order a clear coat today for next weekend! So far i'm leaning toward the 5073 Polyurea.

I wanted to get it from Epoxy-coat but I cant even get them to provide a spec sheet with pot life spec or application instructions for their Polyurea! The 5073 Polyurea has tons of documentation and detailed application instructions.

Familyof8kids · Sep 9, 2012

Roger555 said:
Hey man i'll host the pics for you I sent you a PM !! I want to see that Polyurea cause I need to order a clear coat today for next weekend! So far i'm leaning toward the 5073 Polyurea.

I wanted to get it from Epoxy-coat but I cant even get them to provide a spec sheet with pot life spec or application instructions for their Polyurea! The 5073 Polyurea has tons of documentation and detailed application instructions.

How did you try to contact Epoxy-Coat? I am interested in the no MSDS or spec sheet for Polyurea. I have the Epoxy-Coat Polyurea clear coat in my garage ready to get installed so I will call/email tomorrow and see what I get. I will post back what I get.

Roger555 · Sep 9, 2012

Well I asked Christine over PM on Wednesday or Thursday and on Friday she said responded "I will see what I have on my computer. Can I have your email and I can send it right to you?" which I sent her but haven't heard back or received anything via email. There might be a data sheet but I haven't seen it and I really cant wait around much longer. The 5073 Polyurea has a wealth of information and great install instructions i'm pretty sure this is what i'll be ordering.

What primer are you using ?

deosola · Sep 10, 2012

With regard to fleck coverage, it is easy to get a heavy coverage; you just keep throwing more on till you get enough.

Light coverage isn't too hard either. . .you just pick up less in your hands and toss that amount.

But medium is difficult because you have to pick just enough, toss it so that they are not clumped together and toss it so that it spreads properly.

Someone in another post said, "It's not rocket science" to fleck. Turns out that I am actually a rocket scientist as a profession. Maybe flecking isn't for rocket scientist.

deosola · Sep 10, 2012

I wouldn't hesitate to buy 5073 Polyurea. It goes on very easily, hardens quickly, is very hard and very glossy.

The only issue is that it is flammable.

Familyof8kids · Sep 10, 2012

I am not using a primer. I want to install per MFG and see what happens. If it fails I will be grinding again or installing another epoxy coat.

Roger555 · Sep 10, 2012

Here are the pics deosola sent me of his floor!! Looks great!

rugerlady · Sep 10, 2012

For future reference, I cannot always regularly check PM's here. PLEASE send an email to my email address or call and I will reply quicker. Sorry for any inconvenience!

BTW, the floor looks really good!!

Familyof8kids · Sep 10, 2012

Familyof8kids said:
I am not using a primer. I want to install per MFG and see what happens. If it fails I will be grinding again or installing another epoxy coat.

Sorry I correct myself and decide to use a primer. Too many good things about primer so used PPG Aquapon 35 today. Glad I did!

Familyof8kids · Sep 10, 2012

Familyof8kids said:
How did you try to contact Epoxy-Coat? I am interested in the no MSDS or spec sheet for Polyurea. I have the Epoxy-Coat Polyurea clear coat in my garage ready to get installed so I will call/email tomorrow and see what I get. I will post back what I get.

Sent email on Sunday night got a reply email first thing this morning with all files I requested.

Familyof8kids · Sep 10, 2012

Last 2 pages of Part A Polyurea MSDS.

Familyof8kids · Sep 10, 2012

Polyurea Part B MSDS. Sorry had to upload by single pages due site limitations.

Lessons Learned using Epoxy-Coat

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