Epoxy Paint for Concrete Floors

Polyamide cured epoxies are excellent coatings for concrete floors. They are tough, flexible and resistant to most chemicals and solvents. These epoxy coatings are ideal for floors in chemical plants, laboratories, warehouses, shops and other industrial applications. They are easily applied by roller or brush.

For Industrial Use Only

Coverage

250 ft2 first coat, new floor, thin with 5 ounces per gallon of paint with T-601 Epoxy Reducer for maximum penetration into the new concrete.

285 ft2 second coat (apply second coat within 72 hours). Do not thin the second coat. Apply “as-is” to ensure adequate film build to fully protect the 1st coat and the concrete floor.

Application

Choose a short nap roller cover, such as a phenolic core roller, which is intended for use with epoxy paints. The hot solvents in the epoxy can damage a roller cover intended for paints, like house paint, with milder solvents. When finished, simply remove the cover from the roller handle and allow the epoxy to cure. Only apply the epoxy at a temperature of 70º F or above. The cure rate is greatly influenced by temperature and will take much longer at colder temperatures. Higher temperatures will speed up the cure time as well as shorten the amount of time the coating stays liquid in the bucket. These coatings will tolerate light foot traffic in 24 hours and full service after 72 hours

Mixing

Mix the activator with the paint, (4 parts paint to 1 part activator, by volume), stir well with a “Jiffy Mixer” attached to a drill, and allow to stand 30-45 minutes before stirring again and applying. Do not thin unless desired in the 1st coat only. Mix only as much as you intend to use at one time. The activated epoxy will eventually go solid if it is not used within a few hours.

Surface Preparation

The floor must be clean and dry, and free of oil or other contaminants. On new concrete, the surface should be cleaned chemically (weak muriatic acid), or mechanically (sanded or shot blasted), to remove surface contamination. On previously painted concrete, the surface should be scuff sanded and swept clean to give the epoxy a good bond. A test patch should be applied to make certain the hot solvents in the epoxy do not soften or lift the old coating. A test patch is also a good way to check the intercoat adhesion between the epoxy and the old coating. In this case, your bond to the concrete will only be as good as the bond of the original coating.

Fire Hazard

CAUTION! Remove all potential sources of ignition before applying the epoxy. These epoxy coatings contain solvents, which are highly flammable. A pilot light on a water heater, a spark from a light switch, or an arc from an electrical power tool could start a fire. Provide good air circulation to prevent a build up of fumes.

Slip Hazard

CAUTION! The epoxy surface is extremely slippery when wet. This can result in serious injury. The painted floor should be kept clean and dry and free of anything that could cause someone slip and fall. Water condensation in a non-climate controlled, air conditioned area is a common source of moisture on an epoxy floor. Spills of materials such as oil or other lubricants can also pose a problem. A non-skid surface can be created during application of the epoxy by broadcasting clean dry sand into the surface of the wet epoxy and then allowing the epoxy to cure around the sand. Other materials and techniques may be used as well. Please call to discuss your individual needs so that we can share ideas.