metallic epoxy floor issue?

[rye]

I've got a contractor installing the floor and he is just fine the second of three coats. I asked for this (http://omnicoating.ca/example-metallic-epoxy-system-anti-slip-texture/http://omnicoating.ca/example-metallic-epoxy-system-anti-slip-texture/) and it looks like attached...

That still leaves the clear coat but I don't imagine the appearance will change much? What is with all the straight streaks? Looks like a chunk of something was dragged along when doing the artistic part of the metallic coat.
Plus it looks completely different partway through the garage. Not sure how that happened did the y forget to add something to the nearer part of the floor?
I'd like to see it look better than this. More uniform all over the floor and none of those straight particulate streaks. Am I crazy to think they should redo the metallic coat!

 

[amberjack1234]

Have you paid him yet?

 

[Cee1281]

Seems like it's chunked up or unmixed metallic pigment, when we do our floors we will add pigment to a little bit of Acetone to break it up then we will mix in one bucket and strain into another bucket.Its crucial to mix well and scrape sides of bucket,this is where a lot of unmixed pigment settles and ultimately find its way on the floor.

By the picture, it looks like a darker color near the door,possibly a different batch that was mixed with more pigment? I would definitely get them to redo !!!!

 

[rye]

Haven't paid yet. Colour definitely changes from lighter to darker. Or you could describe it as going from solid color to a textured colour. But is a clear line where it switches.
OK so I'm not being unreasonable asking them to redo? It's mostly aesthetic but frankly since the upgrade from solid color to this fancy finish more than doubled the cost I hope this is reasonable.
Either way I'm not paying till the end of the 72 hour cure.

 

[rye]

The contractor disagrees with Cee's statement above that the particulate streaks have anything to do with mixing:

The "particulate streaks" are always present in the metallic flooring and their amount and orientation depend on various environmental conditions like temperature, air movement, presence of the dust contaminants in the air etc.

 

[amberjack1234]

I'm sorry to say that I think that you are going to have trouble with this guy. Does he admit that there is something very wrong with this job?

 

[motofool33]

subscribed.

this is what kept me from pulling the trigger on a metallic epoxy floor no certainty on the actual finish

 

[rye]

He was pretty good about doing the metallic layer again. Its now the same pattern everywhere thank goodness. But its not the more dramatic cloudy look I was expecting. The particulate streaks are less pronounced on this second metallic coat but still there. I wonder if they are using old or expired product cause this is the same colour they used on another job. Either way I think I'll let them go ahead with the clear coat tomorrow and seal it up. I'm sure a year from now I won't even notice the streaks.. Looking forward to posting some after pics..

BTW for the top coat I was pushing for a poly urethane cause I read 1- epoxy top coats were more brittle and prone to chipping, and 2- poly doors better with UV. this epoxy top coat they recommended is semi flexible with much higher elongation (30-80%) and has UV inhibitors.
Anyone have experience with these semi flexible epoxy top coats?

 

[thegarageguy]

those little streaks are unfortunately inherent in the metallic epoxy systems. Some more than others due the particle size and amount mixed in to the epoxy. The powder color will never truly completely blend in the epoxy. Imagine powder cocoa mix in your milk...you always get powder rising to top or settling on the bottom. These little floaties are similar.

As far as your distinctly darker and lighter areas...that can be because they din't pre-mix the color and added more half way through or their color batch was off and since they didn't pre-mix, it became obvious.

The epoxy top coat they recommended sounds like a load of BS. Many contractors have a difficult time applying polyurethanes and this seems they made up a good excuse to not apply it. Polyurethanes have a higher scratch resistance, stain resistance and uv resistance than any epoxy. The main issue is that it can leave roller marks and usually leaves a light orange peel texture but with non slip it will not show.

 

[Garage Flooring]

those little streaks are unfortunately inherent in the metallic epoxy systems. Some more than others due the particle size and amount mixed in to the epoxy. The powder color will never truly completely blend in the epoxy. Imagine powder cocoa mix in your milk...you always get powder rising to top or settling on the bottom. These little floaties are similar.

As far as your distinctly darker and lighter areas...that can be because they din't pre-mix the color and added more half way through or their color batch was off and since they didn't pre-mix, it became obvious.

The epoxy top coat they recommended sounds like a load of BS. Many contractors have a difficult time applying polyurethanes and this seems they made up a good excuse to not apply it. Polyurethanes have a higher scratch resistance, stain resistance and uv resistance than any epoxy. The main issue is that it can leave roller marks and usually leaves a light orange peel texture but with non slip it will not show.

This is dead on as to the color variation etc. I actually think epoxy top coats are underrated and the key is to check the specs and CR chart for your specific job. I do lean towards aliphatic urethane in situations where there is a higher degree of UV exposure.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

those little streaks are unfortunately inherent in the metallic epoxy systems. Some more than others due the particle size and amount mixed in to the epoxy. The powder color will never truly completely blend in the epoxy. Imagine powder cocoa mix in your milk...you always get powder rising to top or settling on the bottom. These little floaties are similar.

As far as your distinctly darker and lighter areas...that can be because they din't pre-mix the color and added more half way through or their color batch was off and since they didn't pre-mix, it became obvious.

The epoxy top coat they recommended sounds like a load of BS. Many contractors have a difficult time applying polyurethanes and this seems they made up a good excuse to not apply it. Polyurethanes have a higher scratch resistance, stain resistance and uv resistance than any epoxy. The main issue is that it can leave roller marks and usually leaves a light orange peel texture but with non slip it will not show.

Absolutely correct! Even with a good pre-mix there is going to be particles that streak. Frankly, I think it adds to the magic. Urethane will give the high-build epoxy a slight "granular" texture which is a trade-off for the benefits of the urethane.

 

[tncatadjuster]

Looks like it was outgassing and the metallic flowed around the bubble, only a few of the bubbles are still visible in the photo. Funny that a bubble can split the pigment that way, but it makes sense.

 

[rye]

The epoxy top coat they recommended sounds like a load of BS. Many contractors have a difficult time applying polyurethanes and this seems they made up a good excuse to not apply it. Polyurethanes have a higher scratch resistance, stain resistance and uv resistance than any epoxy. The main issue is that it can leave roller marks and usually leaves a light orange peel texture but with non slip it will not show.

I suppose we will see. I have it now, will just have to report back on it later after some use. It's quite flexible, so scratches self heal. Dragging something super heavy across the floor might not hold up as well as polyurethane, but I bet it will hold up very well to dropping stuff.

 

[jy211]

rye what did the contractor charge you for the job? How many sq ft?