Part 2: Installing Your Epoxy Flooring
Once the garage floor is clean and ready to rock, choose a day to work when the concrete won’t be damp and the temperature is moderate. If the conditions aren’t close to ideal, the epoxy might have the tendency to bubble and peel. Once you mix the epoxy paint and hardener, you have about two hours to work with before the substance dries. Because of the short window, it is essential that you plan out in advance how to paint yourself out of the garage. Always start in a corner and above all, avoid painting yourself into a corner, forcing you to walk over the application and thus ruining it. Once you’ve painted the entire surface, make sure not to park in the garage for at least 72 hours.
When preparing, here are some more tips to remember to ensure a clean finish. Hose off the entire surface, washing as much dirt and debris off as possible. Next, take a bristle broom and cleaning solution to the floor to get the surface spotless before application. If you choose to distribute color flakes, this is the time to distribute them evenly across the floor, making sure that it is to your liking before applying the clear garage floor epoxy. Finally, apply the clear coat and wait, wait, wait. It takes about 12 to 24 hours to fully dry, and experts advise not to park inside the garage for at least 48 hours after the application to ensure the application is perfect.
Epoxy garage floors can give an otherwise boring and dirty garage floor a showroom feel every time. In wet and icy climates, the antiskid additive that can be applied along with the epoxy can create better traction when needed for added safety. Cleaning the garage will no longer be a hassle, as water and stains will simply bead up and can be easily removed by the wipe of a rag. For those serious about maximizing the appearance of their garage, epoxy garage floors can do wonders.