Epoxy garage floors are a great way to beautify your garage. Often times your garage floors are stained from oil, transmission fluids, rust or corrosion stains. Cleaning these floors becomes problematic, and the overall appearance of your garage becomes dingy.
For those who like to do weekend projects, installing an epoxy floor takes approximately two to three days. If you have a one-car garage you’ll need one kit. If you have a two-car garage you’ll need two kits. Kits can be purchased at Lowe’s, Home Depot, or the Internet for approximately $50-$75 dollars. Quickrete is a brand often used by homeowners. These kits come in variety of colors. These kits also include flakes that can be used after applying the hardened compound with the base.
You need to prepare the garage surface by cleaning out the entire garage. Power washing the floor is recommended. Then you should repair all cracks, and get as much grime off the floor before using the de-greaser or etcher solution. This is important, because it prepares the concrete for the next step. The etching solution allows the concrete to adhere to the epoxy. This process usually takes a day, because you’ll need the garage floor to be completely dry before applying the epoxy coat. One must wear protective glasses and work boots when using the etching agent. Repeat this step until the solution doesn’t fizz on your concrete floor.
On day two, use a paintbrush and roller to apply the base mixed with epoxy hardener. You’ll want to start in the back of the garage and move towards the front, so you don’t paint yourself into a corner. Cut in the baseboards with a paintbrush, and then use a roller to save time and energy. Once you mix the base and hardener, you must apply the mixture within 2 hours, so work diligently. If you want to add color flakes, sprinkle onto floor after you’ve painted a section. After letting the floor dry for 8-12 hours, you may want to apply a sealer coat, which will make the floor shine. Many kits recommend two sealer coats.
The benefits of doing the project yourself are that you’ll save money on the installation. Usually professionals will charge between $400-$600 to install the floor. But the downsides are if you may a mistake, the floor may not come out as you envisioned. Also, the work can be hazardous; you’ll need to make certain you have plenty of ventilation because of the toxic chemicals involved. Preparation work is a key if the project is to be successful. If you don’t have the patience, hire a professional to install the floor. Whether installing the floor yourself or hiring a professional, you’ll be happy with the results.
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