Uh oh. Too much hardener - Epoxy-Coat

[Dave5817]

Putting down my epoxy-coat last night and have now just realized I used too much hardener on one section (10x10). After 12 hours it is probably 75‰ cured. I can make a dent with my fingernail if I push hard.

Estimate is a 1:1 mix of resin to hardener in this section

I need to get my topcoat down today on the other section so I am thinking I will leave the bad section to see if it continues to cure.

Or, should I just bite the bullet and plan to pull it up and start over (it's too firm to do by hand. Will need to rent a diamabrush scraper)

 

[Armorpoxy]

Don't topcoat any area that has not hardened. You may need to pull it up. Wait it out...

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Putting down my epoxy-coat last night and have now just realized I used too much hardener on one section (10x10). After 12 hours it is probably 75‰ cured. I can make a dent with my fingernail if I push hard.

Estimate is a 1:1 mix of resin to hardener in this section

I need to get my topcoat down today on the other section so I am thinking I will leave the bad section to see if it continues to cure.

Or, should I just bite the bullet and plan to pull it up and start over (it's too firm to do by hand. Will need to rent a diamabrush scraper)

Dave, it's probably already too hard for a hand scrape. Give it a week.
Topcoating this if even slightly soft is a horror story, don't do it.

 

[Dave5817]

Left it alone. After 5 days I'd say it's about 90% as hard as the properly mixed sections.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Left it alone. After 5 days I'd say it's about 90% as hard as the properly mixed sections.

Wait another week. You might slip by.


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[ard]

Id try sacrificing a few small animals around the border, could help the cure gods....

Cant hurt, right?

 

[DanielC99]

Id try sacrificing a few small animals around the border, could help the cure gods....

Cant hurt, right?

lol. Might also reduce the rodent population depending on what is sacrificed.

 

[like2wheel]

I thought the Cure Gods required virgins...

 

[Dave5817]

Tried all of that already......

IF it has to come up (I'm leaning that way) any recommendations on the best way? It's a 10x10 section at the garage entrance and against one wall so I have 2 side that flow to "good sections".

So 1) what is the best way to take it up? 2) how to re-prep the surface? and 3. Any tricks to feathering the new coat into the 2 seams of the old coat - it's heavy flake.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Hi,
You can use an epoxy remover called Rock Miracle. Brush or roll it on and it softens it and williwer wash or scrape right off. Just protect the good areas from damage.

You may want to consider just recoating the garage, as blending epoxies is tough and often there may be shade differences between batches so it could look like a patch.

 

[Dave5817]

I've got some of the original color base left over, plus I will put the heavy flake down so I am less co cerned about color amd more about being level with the existing surface

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Diamond grinder with PCD units


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[Dave5817]

What the heck are PCD units?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Description
Designed for fast removing hard and tacky surfaces, urethane epoxy, waterproofing membrane, pool deck coating, thick mastic, old and new epoxy coating, paint, VCT/carpet glues. - Supreme Quality - Quarter Round Polycrystalline Diamond -

These are available for hand grinders on amazon. They are available for walk behind grinders as well.

I have ground off a few full flake floors before (competitor failed systems) and they are a BEACH.
The PCDs will cut it the fastest, leaving behind a rougher texture. If it's too rough, run a conventional diamond over it (30 grit). You are continuing on with a full flake so it may not matter as much.


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[Dave5817]

Well, decided to take the bad section up. It's ugly work but after getting underneath the surface layer, I'm glad I did. Very soft. Sort of like a rubbery putty. Using a diamabrush coating removal wheel on my grinder.

Will probably use some acetone or other stripper (suggestions?) to get some of the residue up.

Do I need to reprime prior to putting down the new epoxy?


Word to all the new guys..... Be very precise in your mixing ratios!

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Use xylene or xylol to help get up the rest.
The message from all of this is not to split your kits!!
I don't know why any coatings company would encourage this.

You can probably skip the primer. Remember though to clean/scrape well. Those amines floating round can contaminate the next batch.

 

[Dave5817]

On the re-priming, I took the surface down to virgin concrete (had no choice) so there should be plenty of profile. My only concern is that any primer left in the pores from last time might be gone.

Does my risk come down to outgassing? - fwiw, I had ZERO fish eyes or pin holes when I put the original coat down.

Also for all of you noobs. Took me about 7 hours with a hand floor grinder and diamabrush (awesome, Btw)
To get the bad mix up (12x15). 1' x 1/2" swipe at a time