How to Work With a Squeegee on Cement Overlay

Adding epoxy to concrete requires several specific tools.

If you plan to install an overlay on concrete, such as epoxy or polyurethane, to protect the surface of the floor, you must use several specific tools to complete the task correctly. The most important tool is the notched concrete squeegee. Knowing how to work the squeegee will ensure your overlay results come out satisfactorily. Without a paint roller and a porcupine roller, the squeegee is relatively useless in applying epoxy or polyurethane sealers.

Things You'll Need

• Concrete epoxy
• Mohair paint roller
• Porcupine roller

Instructions

1. Read the packaging for the epoxy you plan to install over the concrete. The specifications will tell you the required thickness for the epoxy. In many cases, the epoxy thickness will be 10 mm thick but sometimes can be applied up to 40 mm. Use the appropriately sized notched squeegee to achieve the correct thickness.

2. Pour a ribbon of epoxy onto the concrete surface in an area furthest from the door so you don't trap yourself in a corner.

3. Spread the epoxy over the entire surface of the floor. The notches in the squeegee will ensure the proper thickness. Use the squeegee to push and pull the epoxy to other areas of the floor.

4. Roll over the epoxy with a mohair paint roller to smooth out the surface. Roll over each section, pushing forward and backward on the roller. Do not roll the epoxy more than once or you will introduce air under the epoxy.

5. Roll over the surface of the epoxy with a porcupine roller. A porcupine roller has small pipes that pop air bubbles in the epoxy. Roll over each section just once.

References

• Concrete Network: Notch Squeegee & Porcupine Roller