Notched squeegee or not? Is there a consensus?

[fenderzig]

Hi guys,

I'm gearing up to do a 1200 square foot garage and I've settled on using the Epoxy-Coat product that I purchased from my local Lowes. I'm doing a dark gray base coat with black, white, gray, and orange chips and will probably do a full chip if my wallet can afford the extra chips. I purchased 2 full kits (500 sq. feet of coverage) and 1 half kit (250 sq. feet of coverage) so the specs say I'll have 1250 square feet of Epoxy-Coat.

Should I use a notched squeegee? Will it spread the epoxy more evenly for a better final result? It seems to me that it would be that it would also use more epoxy and I may end up not having enough....that would ****.

What do you think?

 

[Shea]

I always liked using a notched squeegee - especially over larger areas because it does a good job of providing consistent application thickness and accurate coverage rates. However, it does this best over a primer.

You didn't mention that you will be using a primer, so you may be running it real tight for coverage depending on how porous your concrete is. You may want to use a roller in case you need to stretch it a little. The only problem with that however is that you can end up with a thinner coating in areas that give off a less glossy and flat finish. You aren't leaving yourself any wiggle room. You might want to have a spare 1/2 kit on hand in case you need it. You can return it if you don't use it.

 

[fenderzig]

Shea, thanks for the input. No I'm not priming. I was hoping that wouldn't affect my coverage but either way I'm up against my limit. The floor is only 1032 square feet but the knee walls are a little less than 200 square feet so that's how I came up with the 1200 square feet. Maybe I'll do the floor first and then come back with another kit if I need one later?

Also, what size notched squeegee do you recommend?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

If you use 1/8" notch squeegee you spread at approx 1/8" thick.

This is approx. 16 sq ft per gal. Way too thick for 100 solids without aggregate filler.

My guess is, you are shooting for 1/64", approx 16 mils thick or 100 sq ft per gal. Best to use roller and mark your square footage on the wall to keep track.


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[benwah]

If you use 1/8" notch squeegee you spread at approx 1/8" thick.

This is approx. 16 sq ft per gal. Way too thick for 100 solids without aggregate filler.

My guess is, you are shooting for 1/64", approx 16 mils thick or 100 sq ft per gal. Best to use roller and mark your square footage on the wall to keep track.


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Agreed. I would suggest a flat squeegee if you are dead set on using one. If not, pour and roll.

Usually notched squeegees are used for double broadcast floors.

 

[fenderzig]

Thanks for the input guys. I really appreciate it. How do you feel about spreading it with a flat squeegee and then coming behind the squeegee with an 18" roller and backrolling? That's what I was planning on doing but that was before you guys suggested just omitting the squeegee altogether. You got me thinking . . .

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

The flat is good for pulling the material around. Especially, if you get it puddled up in one spot, easier to pull it with the squeegee and then roll it.

If you hold it light it will leave some material behind as you pull.

 

[CamarosRus]

I hired a PRO to help me install my full broadcast (chips to rejection) floor.

I think he pulled the misc primer (blocks moisture transmission) clear epoxy and clear
polyurethane ALL with a flat squeegee. My results were inconsistent regarding the mil
thickness of the clear epoxy and/or poly.

Not sure if it was Scotty or ? , I was since advised to use a notched squeegee and a
wet mil gauge as you go........

Can the experts, please elaborate on using this wet mi gauge as you go, while in the
heat of the battle. We also back rolled with the best quality correct length nap roller.

All in all my floor looks good, but the inconsistency of the finish (smooth vs rough)
bugs me !!!!!!

Bought my special blend chips directly from TORGINAL via one of our members having
an account with them. I also successfully reused chips that I recovered from one area
to do another..........in spite of any warnings to not do so.
Bought (and returned) the long handle orange floor scraper that HD sells with replaceable
blade to scrape excess chips. Worked very well, then swept up excess and vacuumed

 

[fenderzig]

Thanks again guys! My epoxy arrived today so my plan is to grind and prep on Friday, spread the base coat and chips on Saturday, and clear on Sunday. I'm gonna stick with a flat squeegee and back roll.

 

[benwah]

CamarosRus,

This is the reason I prefer a double broadcast 1/8" system when broadcasting to refusal. You will get a more consistent finish doing 2 - 1/16" (20 mil) lifts.

I see no problem pulling your polyurethane top coat with a flat squeegee, but your broadcast epoxy should have been spread with a notched squeegee, that's my preference anyway.

Wet mil gauges are great when you can use them. It is sometimes somewhat difficult to do so when you're ******* to elbows trying to spread and back-roll 100% solids epoxy with a 10-20 minute pot life, unless you have an extra guy with nothing to do lol! Hey, some people are more efficient than others.

I've heard of a product by Arizona Polymer Flooring that one of my customers use called Cem-Seal that when applied directly over your acrylic chips will flatten them out, for a smooth floor. Then you can roll your polyurethane on top of that... I have not tried this product out, but it looks to be just a water-based clear acrylic.

Attached: pics of a wet mil gauge for reference.

Hope this helped some.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

These are great tools if the guys use them.

 

[BabaGanoosh]

What is your verdict on the squeegee? I apply next and would like to know. I plan to just use a an 18 inch roller and skip the squeegee all together. Thanks!

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

It can be helpful but very few of our clients use them.


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[EpoxyCoat2]

Hi guys,

I'm gearing up to do a 1200 square foot garage and I've settled on using the Epoxy-Coat product that I purchased from my local Lowes. I'm doing a dark gray base coat with black, white, gray, and orange chips and will probably do a full chip if my wallet can afford the extra chips. I purchased 2 full kits (500 sq. feet of coverage) and 1 half kit (250 sq. feet of coverage) so the specs say I'll have 1250 square feet of Epoxy-Coat.

Should I use a notched squeegee? Will it spread the epoxy more evenly for a better final result? It seems to me that it would be that it would also use more epoxy and I may end up not having enough....that would ****.

What do you think?

If it is the Epoxy-Coat kit, you will be supplied with application tools in your kits. 1 coat of coat, applied with our application tools, will give you about 9.7 mils in thickness. If you would like to use a notched squeegee, or apply the epoxy thicker, I recommend purchasing 3 full kits to ensure that you have enough epoxy to cover your project.