How to Prepare a Garage Floor for Epoxy Paint
Epoxy paint offers a relatively cheap and easy way for homeowners to transform their old, dingy-looking garage floor into something beautiful. However, many do-it-yourselfers just don't understand the proper preparation techniques that must be employed to get paint to stick to horizontal concrete surfaces. It doesn't really matter what type of paint you use, if you don't treat your garage floor prior to application, you will have significant problems with adhesion. If you want your epoxy painted garage floor to look beautiful and last for years, you simply must commit yourself to learning about the proper preparation techniques that will help you avoid chipping and peeling. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pressure washer
- Metal putty knife
- Chemical degreaser
- Coarse brush
- Muriatic acid kit for etching
- Waterhose
Instructions
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1
Ensure that the garage door is open. Clear from the garage floor any and all items that might interfere with your ability to apply epoxy paint to the surface.
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2
Use a metal putty knife to scrape away any mud, paint drips or general grime from the garage floor.
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3
Apply a chemical degreaser to any areas where oil or other fluids may have leaked from an automobile. Use a coarse brush to loosen the fluids. Use a pressure washer to rinse the area. Repeat step two until the entire garage floor is completely free of all greasy areas.
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4
Use the pressure washer to thoroughly clean the entire garage floor. Use a higher setting to remove any dirt or mud from specific areas. Use a lower setting to rinse the entire surface. Allow the garage floor to dry completely before continuing.
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5
Dilute the muriatic acid with water as instructed by the labeling on the product.
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6
Apply the solution with the spray nozzle that should have been included with the kit you purchased.
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7
Allow the acid to sit for fifteen to twenty minutes. Rinse the solution thoroughly with a water hose.
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8
Feel the floor with your fingers. Repeat until the concrete surface feels gritty to the touch.
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Tips & Warnings
Never attempt to apply epoxy paint to a garage floor without acid etching the surface first as this will lead to significant problems with adhesion.
Muriatic acid is extremely dangerous. It is capable of severely burning both the skin and the lungs. Ensure that the garage door is open during application to provide adequate ventilation. And, always follow the safety instructions included with your kit.
