How to Apply Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy is a durable coating that many people use on their garage floors; it resists oil and grease stains, is easy to clean, and wears much better than paint. Epoxy comes in a variety of colors, so you can brighten a dull gray garage floor with an appealing color. Purchase an epoxy kit at your local hardware store; it comes with the paint and hardener you mix to make the epoxy. Clean your floor first and etch it so it will hold the epoxy. The preparation actually takes longer than the actual epoxy application. But you should be able to tackle this job in a weekend. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Flat-edged shovel
- Broom and dustpan
- Concrete cleaner/degreaser
- 3 5-gallon buckets
- Bristle broom
- Old towels
- Power scrubber
- Hand brush
- Garden hose and water access
- Mop
- Muriatic acid
- Protective polyethylene coverings
- Painter's tape
- Power drill and stirring bit
- 3-inch paintbrush
- 3/8-inch-nap roller with extension handle
- Paint rolling pan
Instructions
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1
Scrape off stuck-on dirt from the concrete floor with the flat edge of a shovel. Sweep away the debris, using the broom and dustpan.
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2
Tape the protective polyethylene covering to the bottom and sides of the walls, using the painter's tape. Tape the covering up the walls about 2 feet to protect them from overspray.
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3
Mix a 5-gallon bucket of water with the concrete cleaner/degreaser according to the directions on the bottle. Dip a stiff-bristle brush into the solution and scrub the floor to remove oil and grease stains. Scrub in the corners that you can't reach with the hand brush. Rinse the floor with a garden hose or with water from another bucket. Dry the floor with old towels. The floor should be clean enough that water doesn't bead up on the surface.
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4
Mix 1 part muriatic acid with 10 parts of water in a bucket. Pour a puddle of the acid solution on the floor and scrub it with the power scrubber. Scrub the entire floor. Use the hand brush in corners and areas you can't reach with the power scrubber.
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5
Hose off the floor with water from the garden hose or buckets of water. Continue scrubbing the floor and rinsing it a few more times to remove all the acid solution. Allow the floor to dry.
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6
Mix the paint and hardener to form the epoxy in a clean bucket. Use a power drill and stirring bit, mixing for a full five minutes until the epoxy is fully blended. Let the epoxy sit for 30 minutes before using it to let the chemicals react. Use the epoxy within two hours time.
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7
Pour the epoxy into a paint-rolling pan; and roll the paint roller in the pan to cover it with epoxy. Roll the epoxy on the floor, applying it first in one direction and then over top the first layer in a perpendicular direction. Paint a space the size of 10 feet square at a time. Use the paintbrush to paint next to the wall and in areas you can't reach. Complete painting the floor until it's covered.
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Tips & Warnings
Muriatic acid can cause severe burns. Always wear protective clothing, rubber gloves, and protective eyewear.
