Having an epoxy floor in your garage creates a long-lasting, damage-resistant workspace. An epoxy garage floor is designed for easy cleaning and adds aesthetic appeal to the space. If you are interested in installing a custom epoxy floor in your garage, follow these simple steps:
Clear the Garage Floor
The first step before creating an epoxy garage floor is removing everything from its surface. Park your vehicles on the street or in the garage before and during installation. Move other large, heavy items to storage or onto the driveway. Cover these items to protect them from the elements while you install your flooring. Everything should stay out of the garage until the epoxy coating is completely dry.
Clean the Garage Floor
The next step is cleaning up the garage floor. Sweep with a shop broom to remove all the debris and dirt. Use a small broom to clean up the floor corners. Before applying the epoxy on the floor, clean all oil spills, paints, stains, and other materials from the floor’s surface. To remove oil spills, apply an absorbent material to lift the liquid and scrub the area with a stiff-bristle brush to remove the stain. Look for cleaners made specifically for removing oil, paint, and other stains from concrete to simplify the cleaning process.
Etch the Garage Floor
Wear protective gear and mix an acidic etching solution and water in a can, carefully following the manufacturer’s guidelines. This solution is used to prepare the garage floor for the epoxy layer. Wetting the whole garage floor by pouring the solution on the concrete allows you to spread the solution more effectively. Use a shop broom to spread the solution evenly on the floor. Allow the solution to rest on the floor for at least 10 minutes, then rinse the entire floor with water and let it dry for a few hours.
Apply the Epoxy Mixture
Apply the epoxy to the garage floor using a paint roller. If the epoxy doesn’t cover the whole floor, you can mix another batch. While spreading the epoxy, pay attention to the floor’s edges, corners, and cracks. A paintbrush will help you fill all the gaps and remove the roller marks for a more refined look. To avoid any noticeable seams once the epoxy dries, maintain a wet edge between all sections.
Add Paint Chips or Color Flakes
To customize your epoxy garage floor, add some paint chips or color flakes. These materials come in a variety of designs, so you can choose one that matches your floor and design preferences. Add the color flakes to the epoxy flooring while it is still wet. Sprinkle and spread the color flakes evenly on the floor until you’ve reached your desired color density.
If you are using color chips to decorate the epoxy floor, apply the chips by hand to prevent clumping. Gather a small amount of chips and toss them evenly onto the garage floor. To make the work easier, have someone help you spread the chips. Once you are done customizing the floor, let it dry completely before walking on it.
Prepare and Apply Top Coat
Using a paint roller and brush, apply the protective top coat to the epoxy floor. When the top coat is poured on a dry epoxy layer, it should dry quickly. This material has a fast drying time, so try to work quickly when applying it to the floor. Spread the top coat evenly without leaving any brush strokes and roller marks. For a more polished look, apply a second top coat on the floor.
Personalize Your Epoxy Garage Floor
To achieve a personalized garage floor, pick an epoxy floor design and color that matches your preferences. If you want a high-quality, customized epoxy garage floor, hire an expert to modify your epoxy garage floor. These professionals will install the materials to create a smooth, durable floor. Contact an epoxy installation company today to learn more about their services.
