Sanding info for epoxy floor topcoat

[tbaz]

Looking to put down a coat of clear over an 100% solids floor 1 yr old great bond no gloss , searched alot but still can't get a grasp for the amount of detail to look for while sanding. Here is my plan. Rent a floor scrubber from HD with very course pad, degrease and clean floor, then put down a stripper( for failed wax attempts to gain gloss ) scrub again. Then use a random orbit polisher/sander with 80 gritt to floor by hand , then denatured alcohol wipe and re coat with 100%clear.
I am not clear on how to tell if my floor is sanded/prepped enough ( I have no gloss to stArt with to compare), Advise?

FYI no topcoat was applied with initial install just the epoxy-coat system where the flakes sink in and some exposed.

 

[Shea]

Tbaz, after removing the wax you are on the right track with the sanding. The idea is to scratch up the surface enough for the epoxy to make a bond. You don't need to go to town with with the orbital and sandpaper. If you do you will only be removing epoxy from the surface that you don't need to. The only reason to do that would be to remove and smooth out surface imperfections. Once sanded it will have a dull matte look to it and not feel as smooth.

 

[tbaz]

Basically a couple of passed with moderate pressure should be enough? I already have a dull matte look , that's what is confusing.

Maybe a stupid question but 1)how will I know when I've stripped all the finish/ wax off to move onto sanding? 2) how will exposed flaked respond to sanding?

 

[retfr8flyr]

Everything you describe sounds good except I wouldn't use the 80 grit disk, I would use the Scotch Brite type of pad they have. All you really need to do is scuff up the surface some, so the clear will adhere, you don't want to risk cutting through the current epoxy with sandpaper.

 

[tbaz]

Everything you describe sounds good except I wouldn't use the 80 grit disk, I would use the Scotch Brite type of pad they have. All you really need to do is scuff up the surface some, so the clear will adhere, you don't want to risk cutting through the current epoxy with sandpaper.

That seems to contradict what a lot of experienced users here suggest about using a sandpaper ,I'm not saying your incorrect or anything I'm just worried that it may not be enough , have you done this before? Thanks for all replies. I really want to develop a plan here in the next few days.

 

[benwah]

80-120 grit works well. 50-60 grit for major imperfections. Like Shea mentioned, don't go to town with it. Just sand until all area are uniformly de-glossed. There are plenty of videos on Youtube on how to do it.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Screen may be a better choice as it won't load up with dust.
Why topcoat with 100 percent? Scratches easy, dulls out.
Cover with a urethane clear for a nice, lasting gloss.

 

[benwah]

What he said ^

 

[tbaz]

Urethane clear , I could not find it where I live , just got the 100% called cipador-e-100. Hope the gloss lasts. Just worked all day prepping, I used a rotary floor buffer I rented with the black pad( most aggressive ) with degreaser /cleaner for multiple passes , rinsed and squeegee about 4-5 times , then took my da sander with 60 and tried to scuff up the epoxy , I would break those pads down quick , I used 10 on a 500 sqft floor , then vaccumed and wiped down with methyl hydrate . Tomorrow I will roll on the topcoat.