How to Resurface an Epoxy Floor
Coating your garage or basement floor with epoxy will make the floor more durable and attractive. Epoxy gives the floor a bright, clean look even if the floor is old. If you have an existing epoxy coating that is chipped or faded you can apply another layer of epoxy to give it a new look again. The same holds true for industrial floors but with more choices of floor systems available. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Epoxy coating
- Hardener additive
- Small paint brush
- Roller
- Rubber gloves
- Safety goggles
- Floor soap
- Degreaser
- Drum sander
- Edge sander
- Rough sandpaper (36-grit)
- Epoxy mortar fill
- Soft cloth
- Brush
Instructions
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Measure the floor so you know how much epoxy coating to buy. One gallon covers a twenty four by twenty four foot floor. Once you know the amount you need choose the type of epoxy coating you want. There are epoxy coatings for swimming pools, outdoor areas and indoor areas. Choose the type you need based on the type of area where you plan to use it.
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Take precautions to keep the epoxy off your skin and away from your eyes. Epoxy contains chemicals that can be harmful. Wear rubber gloves, long sleeves, long pants, and safety goggles when working with epoxy.
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3
Prepare the floor by cleaning it with soap and water. Use a degreaser to remove any remaining oil stains, then wash the floor again with soap and water.
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4
Sand sand the floor smooth using a rough sand paper (36 grit), paying special attention to any chipped areas. Use a drum sander for the main parts of the floor and edge sander for the edges. When the sander is on keep it moving in a back and forth motion or a circular motion back and forth across the floor. After the sanding is complete use a soft cloth and a brush to clean up any debris and paint chips.
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Fill low areas with epoxy mortar fill. After the epoxy mortar dries clean the floor using a soft cloth and brush to clean up and debris. Go over the floor with a wet cloth as a final cleaning.
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Mix the epoxy with a hardener for three to five minutes, then let it stand for thirty minutes. The temperature when the epoxy is mixed should be between 30 and 80 degrees and the humidity should be low.
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Apply the epoxy floor coating to the edges and corners of the floor first using a small paint brush. Then using a roller apply it to the remainder of the floor. Always start opposite to the door and work back and forth across the room toward the door. When finished close off the room for twenty four hours to let the epoxy dry.
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