Need your opinion: Urethane over EpoxyShield (?)

[DenisLoeb]

Good morning Fellas,

I am a total newbie, who works on computers for a living. I am saying that as you will understand the reason why I am leaving this thread:

1. I did my garage last evening using the Rust-Oleum EPOXYShield kit from Home Depot:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ole...=Rust-Oleum+EPOXYShield+2-Gallon#.UbdfNJywWc0

(Being on a small budget, I just could not spend much more in it)

2. The finish is not "clear" enough to my taste, and I was wondering if I could apply Urethane on top of it once it is completely cured?

Can you please let me know your thoughts and opinions, and if you guys are recommending me something different or what not.

I really appreciate your help and your recommendations...

Kindest Regards to all,

Denis

 

[DenisLoeb]

No answers??? Jeeee....

 

[bdamico]

No answers??? Jeeee....

You gave that just two hours before, on your second post, you go jeeee?

 

[DenisLoeb]

It's just that I am in the "starting blocks" ready to go to lowes or home depot to get something.

I tried to call Rust-Oleum, they are all closed today (my luck). I called a local floor installer and he told me that yes, I can use regular floor urethane. It will be OK... Far from perfect, but OK for a house garage.

He doesn't recommend the polyaspartic one as I am definitely not experienced with that...

I just need a bit of guidance as I gonna take care of that later on this evening...

 

[bdamico]

It's just that I am in the "starting blocks" ready to go to lowes or home depot to get something.

I tried to call Rust-Oleum, they are all closed today (my luck). I called a local floor installer and he told me that yes, I can use regular floor urethane. It will be OK... Far from perfect, but OK for a house garage.

He doesn't recommend the polyaspartic one as I am definitely not experienced with that...

I just need a bit of guidance as I gonna take care of that later on this evening...

you should slow down or hurry up. have you figured out if you need to sand the epoxy first... not if within 24 hrs

 

[DenisLoeb]

like I said, I am a computer guy... and not really handy when it comes to those things...

I did the coating last evening (less than 24 hours... ) so I should not need to sand it and just apply on top of what I did, but I cannot get a straight answer from anyone except from one company who told me it was oK.

1. Can I apply Urethane over what I did?
2. If yes, what kind of prods Home Depot or Lowes offers which I can use

 

[Zmw]

I am using the valspar (Lowes product) epoxy in my garage and their customer service said it was ok to apply a polyurethane over their epoxy. I would IMAGINE rustoleum would be the same.

Try and find one designed for garage floors. I bought my urethane online so I can not recommend anything. I know there are not many options at Lowes and HD

 

[Shea]

Denis, you can apply a polyurethane top coat to the epoxy shield. The general rule is that it needs to be applied within 24 hours of the previous coat. Any longer than that and you will have to lightly sand the surface and wipe it down with denatured alcohol before applying the clear coat. You are not going to find a 2 part polyurethane clear coat from Lowes or Home Depot however. You most likely will have to order it unless you can find something from a local hardware store the carries concrete finishing products.

Epoxy shield does make a clear epoxy that is designed to use in conjunction with the kit you used. You may be able to find that at Home Depot.

 

[pauls_workshop]

No answers??? Jeeee....

Hi Denis and welcome,

You have to give people time to get to your requests here. For one thing, if you don't already know if you can or should do urethane over epoxy, this pretty much tells people you haven't spent much time here before. Epoxy is such that much knowledge is needed for the job to turn out right. Generally, people recommend you read posts on this forum for several *weeks* before even thinking about doing a job. There is a wealth of knowledge here, but much has been posted before and not repeated for each new person here.

In general, urethane is a good choice over epoxy, but some are better than others, and not all urethanes are suitable over epoxy. You must have a rough surface for a clear coat or urethane to stick if you have gone past the chemical bonding time for the particular product you have for a basecoat. Check with that manufacturer for what that is. Generally 24 hours, but some less and some more. Otherwise, you need to sand that surface to roughen it up first. Moving too fast with an epoxy job or clear coat is not advised. - Paul

 

[drinkmoresake]

Hi,

Rustoleum makes a product called "Premuim Clear Coat" that is designed to be used over their Epoxy Shield. It is available at most Home Depots and costs about $90 per gallon. I applied this over the Professional Epoxy Shield that I put on my floor last year. Overall it is a good product. Very resitant to all stains and cleans up easy. It's resitance to "light" scratches could be a little better but not a big deal unless you are doing lots of work in the garage.

When applying it can be a little tricky to "see" it. I found it best to actually close the garage door (be sure to wear a respirator!) and have a very bright light resting on the floor and shinning accross the area you are rolling. I would also suggest you add some type of anit-slip or it will be like ice when wet. I used the "Shark Grip / Bite" which is available at Lowes and Sherwin Williams. I only used about 1/3 ~1/2 of the amount recommended and got a good comprimse between anti-slip and cleanability. If you do you the Shark Grip add it to the clear once it is mixed in the bucket. Do not attempt to "broadcast" it after applying the clear. It won't work. Also, be sure to stir OFTEN if you use any anti-slip additive so it doesn't settle to the bottom of your paint can / tray.

One last thing, you definitely have more than 24 hrs after applying the Epoxy Shield before you have to apply the Rustoleum Clear. I can't recall the exact timing but I know it was at least 2 days and may be up to 5 days before you would have to "scuff" the surface (as per Rustoleum). Call Rustoleum tomorrow and confirm.

Good Luck!

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Consult the manufacturer.
If it were a (2) part 100% solids epoxy coating, any commercial urethane (designed for polymer floors) would be good.