VCT installed now what?

[kaffine]

I'm almost done installing VCT in my shop. What do I need to coat it with? I'm not sure what the diffrence is between the sealer and the finish. What do I need know to look for in a good sealer/finisher? Will I need to rent a buffer to put the sealer/finisher on. Thank you.

 

[thrytis]

Armstrong VCT comes presealed. If you're using another kind, check the documentation. For the polish, you can check out this thread. You can apply it with a mop, but it won't be as shiny as if you use a buffer. I just use a mop.

 

[wjh0919]

I applied Wolverine Bondtite sealer on my VCT. It's an expoxy sealer. I added a no-slip compound which helped a great deal over the winter. I'm very happy withe the results. Contact Fred at Alpha Garage.

 

[AlphaGarage]

I applied Wolverine Bondtite sealer on my VCT. It's an expoxy sealer. I added a no-slip compound which helped a great deal over the winter. I'm very happy withe the results. Contact Fred at Alpha Garage.

Not sure who you are - can't always connect the screen names with the client names - but regardless thank you for the endorsement! Since I don't know when you ordered, I can't pinpoint what product you used, but it's probably BondTite 1101.

BondTite 1101 was originally formulated for priming concrete and metal, it was one of the independent flooring contractors that first started using it as a coating for VCT. Since then it's been used a lot for both new VCT applications, and on older installs where the owner is tired of constantly polishing and waxing, an extra layer to help resist scratches or typical wear, or where they want to guard against spills leaking through the seam and undermining the adhesive.

Because of this increased demand they have readjusted the formula to make it even better for VCT, the new product is BondTite 1107. We've been shipping it for a few months now, with good results. We did hit a bump just a few weeks ago when it was used on Armstrong VCT with a new UV coating, but the labs guys worked pretty quickly to figure out a fix, and the fix already been incorporated into the product manufacturing.

It is an epoxy, so it may yellow with UV exposure, but a clear coat of our EnduraShield 2254 will add gloss, hardness, and reduce the yellowing. The BondTite goes down at 5 mils, and since it's a 100% solids epoxy you'll benefit from the whole 5 mils when it's fully cured. That's thicker than a lot of the concrete epoxy kits out there. With waste factored in 3 qt kit is good for about 215 ft2, a 3 gallon kit about 860 ft2.

 

[kaffine]

If I was to use sealer and finish then later decided to go with epoxy how much work is it going to be to remove the sealer and finish? Thanks.

 

[briank]

Fred,
What is the procedure for prepping new VCT for bondtite?

 

[Jason B]

Fred,
What is the procedure for prepping new VCT for bondtite?

Yea, do you have to sand down and scuff up the VCT for it to stick? Also, what happens if you need to replace a tile down the road? Can you still cut it out and replace?

 

[NIZMOZ]

Like some say, why go VCT if you are going to put EPOXY on it anyways? LOL

 

[AlphaGarage]

To prep the VCT, new or existing, you want to strip off any coatings or wax, just use a typical low speed buffer with an abrasiveness stripping pad and a good stripper like our StripQuik 980. You even want to do that to brand new VCT because the manufacturing process may have left some residue release agents, or they may have coated it etc.

Wipe down with clean water and a new towel, then coat.

Yes, you can cut out and replace a tile then coat just that tile.

I can tell you why a lot of places use VCT with an epoxy clear - it saves them from constantly stripping and waxing. The gloss finish is more durable and lasts longer, it's easier to clean, it seals against moisture getting through the seams.

Why vct in the first place? I think a lot of them ask that after a while. One reason is that it's easier to put down a grid pattern, although that can be done with epoxy too. VCT can also be less expensive, but you need to be careful there and figure out upkeep costs and efforts. Plus some just like the look of VCT.

 

[Jason B]

So what would it cost to coat aprox 450 sq feet on my garage?

 

[AlphaGarage]

So what would it cost to coat aprox 450 sq feet on my garage?

That would require 2 of the 3 quart kits, $75 each.

 

[Jason B]

I'm wondering what happends when it starts to peel. I guess what I'm saying is, I've seen a few friends garages, and after a while, the hot tires will eventually start to peel the expoxy, this is the solid color expxy I'm talking about.

 

[AlphaGarage]

Epoxies are no different than cars, they come in all levels of types and qualities. Review the threads of other Garage Journal members who have used our BondTite primer and there's not one report of hot tire lift from the substrate.

Of course they are mostly BondTite 1101 on concrete, for VCT we've modified 1101 to adhere even better to VCT, plus improved its ability to resist UV discoloring, both of the VCT and the coating itself.

 

[Jason B]

I'm revisting this again, you still around?

 

[mitch_04]

Since it has been brought up, I'd love to see some VCT floors with the Bondtite clear coating, since it may be in my near future.

 

[navin]

I dont believe Bondtite is the clear coat, Endurashield is the clear coat product. I've just been in contact with Fred and he mentioned things are quite busy at alpha, so I think your best bet would be to email him, super quick replies!

 

[AlphaGarage]

Yes, the BondTite 1115 is an epoxy formulated for VCT. It is an epoxy, so it is UV reactive over time.

EnduraShield 2254 is a polyurethane clear coat. It's UV stable and will filter much, but not all, of UV light so it mitigates, but does not 100% eliminate, underlying epoxy's UV reaction. It's also much harder than BondTite, so it will hold its gloss finish much longer, as well as resist chemical spills better. It doesn't adhere well to VCT, so the BondTite is required, plus BondTite deals real well with impact, dropped tools, tire pressure etc.

 

[kaffine]

I'm revisting this again, you still around?

I'm still around but I ended up just using Zep floor sealer and polish instead of epoxy. The epoxy would probably be more durable and longer lasting but at the time I was wanting to get it done so I can start using my shop. I had to put sealer and polish down a second time after finding out that gasoline is a very effective stripper.

I need to redo the section under the lift that sees the most abuse. The sealer and polish don't stand up too well to some automotive chemicals.

 

[DaRkILLa]

btw dont worry about hot tire lifting the coating. if you apply it properly you shouldn't have any issues. I used wolverine coating in my moms garage about 3 years ago and the only hot tire issue that i have is that when the tire is hot it leave a patch of tire residue in the coating but that cleans off.

and i have parked my cars in the coating under really hot weather conditions and after doings runs and driving my car at high speeds. Which equals to some really hot tires.

 

[Jason B]

So, how about some pics?