using cheap water-based epoxy as primer for 100% solids epoxymaster?

[remys]

I just received my epoxy master 3 gallon kit.
My garage has been cleaned and etched (home depot had a diamabrush but wouldn't rent it to me due to it basically falling apart. Other home depot location said they no longer rent them due to costs of replacement), the chemical definitely made a slight difference but I am worried about the epoxy adhering to some spots since i wasn't able to grind the floor.
I read about people using thinner epoxies to soak into the floor then using the higher solids as the main coat.
Could i use the rustoleum water based stuff from lowes as a primer coat (no flakes or additive) and then coat it with epoxy master?
How long should i wait until i am able to put on the epoxy master?

if anyone has any experience doing this, id appreciate your input

i did read on this site that cheaper big box epoxy can be used for a primer:
http://www.epoxyproducts.com/primer.html

just curious if anyone here has tried it

 

[jaye944]

Hi remy's

ok IMHO

I wouldnt mix makes, I would do the following

* Get and use the recommended primer from epoxy master
or
* Do 2 coats, leaving the required time to flash dry (NOT cure)

I did the latter with no issues.

I know that mixing manufactures, is not recommended due to possible incompatability
and you don't want that kinda hassle on an epoxy floor

 

[remys]

epoxy master doesnt have a recommended primer..they want you to apply another coat of their epoxy (thinned out)
i was hoping to avoid ordering more

 

[tncatadjuster]

You sure you want to prime with cheap, then topcoat with expensive?

 

[jaye944]

epoxy master doesnt have a recommended primer..they want you to apply another coat of their epoxy (thinned out)
i was hoping to avoid ordering more

If that is what they suggest.....
My questions and points are

* How would you dilute, with what and what ratio, (they would need to tell you)

What a lot of us have done, me included, put down one coat, let it FLASH then put another coat, (thereby acting as your primer and then basecoat)

Seems very suspect to me that a manufacturer does not carry a primer

 

[jaye944]

back to basics

Cleaning = is to remove greese, paint rust etc
Etching = is to provide a base for the paint,

GENERALLY, if you etch, you don't need to grind, if you grind you dont need to etch, you can do both, but ETCHING, wont remove chemicals.

SPOTS / depends on what you mean by spots, if its greese there is way and means, you can also use an epoxy oil primer

HIGHER SOLIDS / I used this for primer, mainly as it sunk in and needed a second coat.

The times for flash, recoat SHOULD all be with the paint or the place should be able to tell you on there datasheet

Would advise you to check out my links and YT vids, a lot of the stuff you have done or wanna do I have done or explained.

come back afterwards with questions

 

[thisisme08]

Slightly different case but I used the Rustoleum Pro kit (70%-ish solids IIRC) and top coated it with Original Color Chips HPU 747 Urethane. Personally, I think ya'll take this stuff a little *to* seriously and a low price/high price combo can and does work.

 

[jaye944]

come back when you've got more than 2 posts under your belt

 

[Trey T]

I would thin the 100% solids epoxy and lay it down as a primer. Sherwin-Williams thin (20%) their 75% solids epoxy and use it as "primer".

 

[kd3pc]

I would suggest that, for the greatest chance of success, that you prep, prep and prep some more. Do NOT intermix products, unless your supplier uses a generic somewhere in THEIR process, this is the largest reason why people are not happy with the floor, when finished.

It makes no sense to save $60 on the front, and then be unhappy with $400 in epoxy now on your floor, kind of - maybe. Now you will really have a job on your hands.

There are other places to rent diamond wheel grinders.

Epoxies are odd beasts, and each one is a blend unto it's own maker. I have decades experience with epoxy coatings on boats, planes and building components and even some floors.

Prep, Prep, Prep AND follow your maker's/vendor's instructions as to flash, coat times, wait times, etc.

 

[remys]

i prepped like crazy and laid down the epoxy without a primer. It seems to be fine..although time will tell

Now i just found a thread (and see replies here) saying i could have used cheaper epoxy as a primer...oh well.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3355


now i need to worry about polyurethane coating the epoxy..its quite easy to scratch

 

[remys]

here are some finished pics of the job:

before:

after epoxy master coating:

After about a week i realized how scratch-prone the epoxy was, so i ordered a gallon of aliphatic polyurethane top coat.


after laying down the polyurethane:

completely dried:

epoxy close up without poly and with:

 

[Mark-ADK]

here are some finished pics of the job:

Great floor...how does it look now two years later? Would love to see an update picture if you felt like posting one...