Primer Under Epoxy Coat?

[kjresener]

Getting ready to do an Epoxy Coat application this weekend and after reading numerous posts am wondering if I should apply a primer?
Garage is 24x24, concrete is in good condition and 7 years old with no moisture issues. I ground with a diamond brush last weekend to get sealer off and have a clean, well ground surface for the product. Had multiple exchanges with Epoxy Coat and it was never suggested that I use a primer. I have a kit and a half of epoxy, and a kit and a half of clear coat. I plan to do a heavy broadcast of chips. So, enough product for one coat but not two.
My initial thought is that if a primer was needed then Epoxy Coat would have suggested that? However am second guessing that and I definately don't want to have to do this exercise again.
If a primer would be a good idea is there one available at the big box stores, as I don't have time now to order and receive in time for my weekend timeframe.
Thanks for all suggestions!

 

[bdamico]

This really has been debated over and over, including with epoxy coat despite epoxy coat saying it is unnecessary

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=23796743

 

[benwah]

Right? I will be one to say DO IT. There is no downside, except for a couple bucks out of pocket. 576 sq. ft. IMO is a large enough floor to call that a good investment. Ideally you want your coating system to bond with the concrete. Using an epoxy with less solids, more solvent, allows the coating to penetrate into the concrete, securing a tight mechanical bond. This in turn allows your 100% solids epoxy to chemically bond to the primer.

Also a lower solids primer will help prevent out-gassing of the 100% solids epoxy. Outgassing can be caused by moisture vapor and/or the displacement of air from pores in the concrete once the coating fills it. Since a lower solids epoxy is much thinner, air may escape a bit easier before the primer cures. There are plenty of floors on this forum where you really see the benefits of a primer, or where people had wished they used one. It's not a gimmick!

Shea wrote a great article about it here: http://allgaragefloors.com/epoxy-primer-for-your-garage-floor/

You also have Legacy Industrial and GarageFlooringLLC on here as vendors that supply these products.

Any questions, just holler

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

We supply many Epoxy-Coat users with primers and urethane clear coats.
Here is a link for our primer and we guarantee it is compatible with Epoxy-Coat.
For your garage our 2 gal unit is perfect.

http://www.legacyindustrial.net/products/primer-coatings/standard-epoxy-primer-coating.html

 

[Garage Flooring]

SOOOO MANY RISKS with 100% solids and no primer. Common one is bubbles. Primers are under 60 bucks and cover 300+ Sq. Ft. don't put all that energy and money into a project and then cut a corner.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Agree, always use a primer if you can. Our Armorclad Primer has been tested with Epoxy Coat products and is fully compatible. Use of the primer makes the floor thicker as discussed above since the epoxy sits on the sealed floor and won't sink in.