How to Epoxy Aggregate Floor
Aggregate, small flecks of metal or glass, adheres to a concrete base floor with epoxy. Epoxy is a polymer that hardens to a strong and durable finish. Epoxies come in clear or a wide variety of colors, allowing you to personalize the flooring. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hydraulic cement
- Flexible putty knife
- Floor leveler
- Power drill
- Wire brush attachment
- Vacuum
- Epoxy-based primer
- Long-handled paint roller
- Hand crank rock tumbler
- Epoxy flooring resin
- Trowel
- Epoxy-based floor sealant
Instructions
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1
Inspect the floor for damage such as cracks, depressions and high spots. Press hydraulic cement into cracks with a flexible putty knife, building the cement until it rests evenly with the floor. Apply floor leveler to depressions and grind down high spots with a power drill equipped with a wire brush.
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Allow the repairs to set for 24 hours.
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Vacuum the existing floor to remove dirt, dust and debris.
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4
Apply a coat of epoxy-based primer with a long-handled paint roller to the entire floor and allow the primer to dry thoroughly, usually three to four hours.
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Pour aggregate into a hand crank tumbler.
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Mix the aggregate with a specialized epoxy flooring resin made expressly for mixing with aggregate. Mixing is complete when epoxy covers the aggregate.
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Pour the epoxy-coated aggregate onto the floor and spread it with a trowel to achieve a 3/4 to 1-inch thick layer over the entire surface of the floor.
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Allow the epoxy to dry completely, generally five to six hours.
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Apply anywhere from two to multiple layers of an epoxy-based floor sealant with a long-handled paint roller, building it up until you reach the desired texture. The greater the number of coats of floor sealant, the more level, even and smooth the floor surface. The lesser the number of coats of the floor sealant, the more textured and rough the floor surface. Allow each coat to dry completely between applications, typically two to three hours.
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Tips & Warnings
Work in a well-ventilated area.
Wear safety glasses and gloves.
