Metallic Epoxies

[workhurts]

I've searched. Not much of a discussion on DIY metallic epoxies. I've been looking at the metallix stuff from colorchip which looks great in pictures but with minimal reviews. In searching I also happened across cohills but haven't talked to them yet.

Has anyone DIYed something like this? Aside from ready made systems, how does one create a nice 3d swirly floor with depth? I'm also not willing to drop $5-6 per square foot for an install by an expert hence the question on this forum.

Metallix seem to like a primer then a thin coat of epoxy where the metallix stuff is added so it kinda floats like oil on water. Others say a heavy epoxy coat is what's needed. I know there are some nice products out there not available to the DIY crowd but that doesn't quite help me.

So, what do you guys think?

 

[Shea]

I've actually done a couple of floors with this stuff a while back and wouldn't recommend it for a first time installation. I didn't use the metallix that you are referring to that is dribbled onto the surface. I used a regular metallic epoxy mix. The 3D effect is created by using a leaf blower or compressed air on the surface after it sits for 10 minutes or so. Here is a video clip of someone doing it with compressed air. I liked the leaf blower method better myself. You definitely need to be creative when doing it.

It's going to more expensive than you think for materials because you need a primer coat and a good top coat. Preferably polyurethane because the metallic epoxy will amber if exposed to U.V. light. Also, you will need more of the metallic epoxy mix than normal because it needs to go on fairly thick. You also need to work fairly quick and definitely want someone to help out.

If you are still game, I'm sure some of the vendors here can point you in the right direction to find what you are looking for. You are not going to find something like this in a kit from your local home improvement center however.

 

[workhurts]

The expectation with DIY isnt that it has to be easy. Just cheaper and if done right, actually better than 2/3rds of professional installers. I started doing most of my own work from installing tile, wood trim, fixing drywall, painting, working on my cars when I realized that the quality level of professionals out there isn't all that professional.

So, no expectation this would be 'easy'. I already have a quote for materials and for the space it's a grand. I have a quote for someone to come out and grind the floor. One guy wanted 1.30 sq ft and one guy wanted 1/3rd of that with an electric edco.

The guys I talked to selling metallix have been great so have all of the other vendors but I've kinda hopped from stain/seal to full broadcast to metallic epoxies. I can't find much info on the latter.

I found another company that has a great YouTube video if you search for metallic epoxy and the name is something like advoseal.

Heck, I have an unfinished basement. Maybe trying it out on a few 2x8 strips would be a good idea.

 

[bdamico]

The expectation with DIY isnt that it has to be easy. Just cheaper and if done right, actually better than 2/3rds of professional installers. I started doing most of my own work from installing tile, wood trim, fixing drywall, painting, working on my cars when I realized that the quality level of professionals out there isn't all that professional.

So, no expectation this would be 'easy'. I already have a quote for materials and for the space it's a grand. I have a quote for someone to come out and grind the floor. One guy wanted 1.30 sq ft and one guy wanted 1/3rd of that with an electric edco.

The guys I talked to selling metallix have been great so have all of the other vendors but I've kinda hopped from stain/seal to full broadcast to metallic epoxies. I can't find much info on the latter.

I found another company that has a great YouTube video if you search for metallic epoxy and the name is something like advoseal.

Heck, I have an unfinished basement. Maybe trying it out on a few 2x8 strips would be a good idea.

i looked into metallix before i ended up doing porcelain. just wasn't enough info out there for me and i was afraid it's a situation where the reaction is a little unpredictable--thus experience with the product would help. I think a guy here, the garageguy, or the guy that teaches classes here, have done metallic applications.

 

[AlphaGarage]

We've mulled over the idea of offering this for DIY but decided against it because the results are unpredictable until one has a few jobs under their belt. It's not that the process is that complicated, but there's a bit more artistry and technique involved than most DIY applicators are going to be able to master in just a project or two.

 

[pauloman]

I've considered selling the metallic powders for DIY floors but found you just don't mix it into a clear epoxy and roll it on - so I dropped the idea.

I think a better approach is a faux paint finish over an epoxy base. One of my faux epoxy floors (using a sponge and latex paint) has patterns that look a lot like the soles of my sneakers....

 

[thegarageguy]

This system isn't as cut and dry as a chip or quartz floor. This epoxy system is more dynamic, where application method can determine a completely different look.
And since expectation levels vary from client to client, it's tough sell to someone who relates this to a "paint job". Here are are few of our options;

little to no movement

subtle and flowing movement

antiqued

distressed

Multi-color

multi-color w/ distress

3d

I can go on and on...but as you can see, the possibilities are endless...

 

[AlphaGarage]

Nice floors! Make that "Fantastic floors!" Love the wine one.

If we could guarantee that DIY floors would look like yours we'd be offering that in a big way!

 

[gobble]

Wow that looks amazing.

 

[workhurts]

Thanks for the pictures. I had seen them on a previous thread and I've seen some of your work online and it is really nice stuff. Part of the appeal for me is that I don't want it to be uniform and I would likely use a single color or very similar color pairing so it can't get all crazy.

I like the distressed look that you posted and of course some of your other work is outstanding.

I just wanted to create a thread and discuss this type of flooring application since it really hasn't been discussed very much. Since starting the thread I've learned a little bit more and of course have additional questions. The two main application methods seem to be:

1 - Primer then Metallix uses a thin basecoat and then you drizzle some other kind of mix on top of it then seal.
2 - Primer plus heavier basecoat with pigmented metallic clear epoxy then sprtiz, drizzle, toss MEK or denatured alcohol and if you want to get creative then you trowel, leaf blow, rake ... or do whatever to get a certain look. Then clear.

Of the two methods, which is better or more exatly what's more suitable? The first looks like a comrehensive DIY package that you can't screw up as badly.

Onto another topic for carrying the pigment in option 2. 100% solids clear? If you aren't running forklifts over the thing day in and day out, why not just a high solids epoxy?

I'm personally just looking for high levels of adhesion and a neat look.

On the pigment side. Who else sells pigment direct to consumer and is a clear epoxy the preferred carrier? And is MEK or denatured alcohol the way to go?

I know there's some artistery and trade secrets here but for a DIY type of board there really is next to zero discussion about this application.

 

[Shea]

We've mulled over the idea of offering this for DIY but decided against it because the results are unpredictable until one has a few jobs under their belt. It's not that the process is that complicated, but there's a bit more artistry and technique involved than most DIY applicators are going to be able to master in just a project or two.

That was the way I felt about it when I did it. A technique has to be worked out with some experience in order to get the effect you want. The first floor I did I didn't think looked all that great honestly, but the contractor was fine with it. The second was better as I learned how to make it flow the way I wanted.

Heck, I have an unfinished basement. Maybe trying it out on a few 2x8 strips would be a good idea.

There you go. A little practice with metallic epoxy can go a long way towards achieving the results you want. Or, you may find that it's not the way to go.

 

[workhurts]

If you were to practice on a peice of 'x' what would that material be? I mentioned doing the basement but that could be annoying to the resident cats.

How about a bit of durock or plywood? What would be suitable for practice?

 

[thegarageguy]

If you were to practice on a peice of 'x' what would that material be? I mentioned doing the basement but that could be annoying to the resident cats.

How about a bit of durock or plywood? What would be suitable for practice?

get some masonite and play