Rustoleum Epoxy is peeling up. What to do?

[Wolverine]

Well, I'm getting some spots that are lifting up. Approximately, 1 year after application (Rustoleum Industrial Epoxy). What can I do? Any recommendations are welcome!

You know that I have to ask the obligatory DUMB question (even though I think I already know the answer): Can I put 1-2 coats of Epoxy over the existing epoxy that has been on the floor for 1 year? I'm guessing NO WAY? I know it's a silly question, but I had to ask.

Now, understand that the issue here is NOT the product! The Rustoleum Epoxy is GREAT! It's the application. I put on only one coat..... Like a ****..... and very thin in some areas because I was running out. I really do not know why I did not do multiple coats.... live and learn!!!

 

[GearHead_1]

This too may be a dumb question. Did you purchase the flakes seperately? The reason I ask is because their commercial product doesn't come with flakes. The home owner product does.

 

[Wolverine]

Yes, flakes were given to me by a friend who did not use them. You are correct, the Industrial/Solvent-based kit does not have the flakes.

 

[camarojoe]

personally, I'd just make sure all the loose stuff was off, maybe even take a wire brush to that area... then just spot apply it where its peeling. As you said, its likely just thin in that area anyhow, and I sure wouldn't redo the whole floor because of a few spots. Just mix up a small batch and blend it in, sprinkle a few flakes over the new stuff, let it dry, then sweep up the excess flakes. It should blend in fine, and you probabaly wont even be able to see the spot you repaired.

 

[roger55]

IMO, too thin shouldn't cause it to peel off. Either the product was bad or the prep wasn't right.

 

[camarojoe]

IMO, too thin shouldn't cause it to peel off. Either the product was bad or the prep wasn't right.

regardless, i would just touch up the bad spots before even considering redoing the whole floor. What do you have to lose?

 

[ARAMP1]

IMO, too thin shouldn't cause it to peel off. Either the product was bad or the prep wasn't right.

Gotta agree with Roger55 on this one. I scrubbed the hell out of my floor with the acid stuff and dried it properly. Now, I couldn't get the stuff off if I wanted to. I've drug my 60 gallon stand up air compressor and my 20 ton press across the floor. I've dropped impact sockets, big sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, angle iron, etc. I've had my 40 pound dually rear drums and axles dropped and dragged across the floor. The stuff isn't coming off.

Interestingly, I have a two car garage. I had to do one side of the floor at a time while I stored all my stuff on the other side. Well, when I did the first side, I accidentally dropped a few drips on the other side. I figured I'd chisel them off. Well, it wasn’t happening. I used a razorblade scrapper, chisel and hammer, and some random other things and nothing worked. Oh well, I just coated over it.

Now, after hearing all of the stories of the coating peeling up, I attribute the durable finish to the prep.

 

[roger55]

regardless, i would just touch up the bad spots before even considering redoing the whole floor. What do you have to lose?

If there is an adhesion problem with the epoxy presently on the floor, then putting new epoxy on top won't change that and peeling will continue. So, the risk is wasting money and making the situation even worse to deal with later.

Like you say, wire brushing will pull up more of the old epoxy and if it pulls up all the epoxy in the adhesion problem areas, he may be OK. But, it's a gamble that it would work. It would go against the instructions of any product you would buy.

 

[camarojoe]

It lasted a year before a couple small spots chipped. I just said I would touch them up, and if a couple spots peel again in a year, i'd touch it up then too... Not arguing that its an application problem, even he admits that... I'm just saying that if all hes got is 2 small spots, it can't hurt anything to touch them up. It might not last forever, and eventually it COULD get worse, but it might be fine if he cleans off the area of the spots that didnt stick and spots them in. How would touching up a couple little marks create any more problems? Do whatever you want, but i wouldn't jump to redo the whole floor because you got a couple tiny defects after a year of use.

 

[roger55]

Sorry, I misread your post. I hadn't had my coffee yet. I agree touching up would be a good option.

It lasted a year before a couple small spots chipped. I just said I would touch them up, and if a couple spots peel again in a year, i'd touch it up then too... Not arguing that its an application problem, even he admits that... I'm just saying that if all hes got is 2 small spots, it can't hurt anything to touch them up. It might not last forever, and eventually it COULD get worse, but it might be fine if he cleans off the area of the spots that didnt stick and spots them in. How would touching up a couple little marks create any more problems? Do whatever you want, but i wouldn't jump to redo the whole floor because you got a couple tiny defects after a year of use.

 

[bmwpower]

Yea, but to touch up the area he needs to buy a whole kit. Is it possible to mix up such a small batch? You still need to adhere to mixing times, etc.

 

[roger55]

Yea, but to touch up the area he needs to buy a whole kit. Is it possible to mix up such a small batch? You still need to adhere to mixing times, etc.

Sure. Just keep the ratio correct and you could mix up a small batch. But you have a good point because the shelf life of the rest of the product will probably be reduced once it's open.

 

[camarojoe]

Just mix up a small batch in a separate container, seal the cans, put 'em back on the shelf and forgeddaboutit. Until the 2 parts are mixed together its not going to be activated. Plus, It'll be nice to know you have lots more touch up epoxy to mix up if you have any other small spots that give you problems in the future too. Hopefully you have some extra flakes left over too.

 

[Wolverine]

Much appreciated, everyone, for all of the input. I'll wait until the summer temps arrive and touch it up. We'll see what happens.

 

[spdracer]

I'm about to embark on the same touch-up project. Other than using a wire brush to scrape up/clean the areas to be re-epoxied, what would you use to clean the floor? I believe the kit comes with a floor cleaning agent...is it necessary to use this, or would a good cleaning with soap or Simple Green be sufficient to clean the areas in question?

Thanks!

Michael

 

[bmwpower]

Rather than cleaning it with some sorta solution/water, I'd almost feel better digging it out a little...enough to get rid of the "bad" concrete. 1/8" might do it. Fill it with epoxy patch compound and recoat.