Your garage's floor takes more beating than any other part of your property, and due to this, it also wears down faster than others. In this situation, preparing the garage floor for the epoxy solution application is essential. This preparation involves several things, but first, the extent of the damages caused due to heavy foot traffic, spills, tyres, chemicals, etc., are assessed.

Applying epoxy coating is an impressive solution to protect garage flooring from all odd conditions and improves its overall appearance. Applying this solution means providing your garage flooring with a durable, stain-resistant, long-lasting surface that looks great and is easy to clean.

Garage floor epoxy coating will include floor preparation, and steps related to this are presented in this article.

STEP – 1

REMOVE EVERYTHING FROM THE GARAGE FLOOR

The first step is preparing the garage floor by removing everything present on the surface and repairing the entire area. You can leave the things hanging on the walls, but anything on the floor must be removed. This includes tools, vehicles, work benches, cabinets, tools, spare tyres, spare components, and everything in your garage.

You will also have to remove freestanding cabinets, furniture, and storage shelves to access the entire garage for epoxy coating.

STEP – 2

LIFT THE SINKING CONCRETE

Now that your floor is clean, you can see what you will work with. Since you last saw your whole garage floor a long time ago, you will notice some areas that are sinking or some needing more settlement than usual. You must lift them with concrete levelling before applying epoxy on the surface. This is important as even coating will be achieved when the sinking areas of your garage flooring are handled and levelled back.

STEP – 3

CLEAN THE GARAGE FLOOR THOROUGHLY

The next step is cleaning the garage flooring and, in fact, deep cleaning the floor if possible. This will ensure that epoxy sticks to the existing floor. This deep cleaning involves freeing the floor from chemicals, oils, dirt, debris, fluids, etc. This cleaning process will start by thoroughly sweeping the floor and removing dirt and dust. They will also clean stubborn stains and oil spots with degreasing agents. Alternatively, you can employ specialised cleaning products.

Once these stains disappear, you must clean the entire garage flooring with an old mop or a push broom. This mop will be drenched in water mixed with soap and applied only after dipping and rinsing the mop thoroughly. The concrete must be dry for excellent results related to garage floor epoxy.

Another essential step is levelling the entire floor for epoxy application. This is done as a part of the clean-up process after ensuring that cleaning agents, dust, soap, and everything else get washed away.

STEP – 4

PROTECT THE WALLS

As mentioned above, the concrete must be dry and clean before garage floor epoxy application. You will also have to ensure that rough parts are completely removed and the walls are also free from the dirt emerging from dusting and grinding. Wall protection is easy, as you must use simple tape and plastic sheets to cover them, as well as windows, shelves, etc. You can also cover decorative items hanging on the walls.

STEP – 5

ROUGHING UP THE CONCRETE SURFACE

One more crucial step for garage flooring preparation for epoxy is roughing up the concrete surface. Some people think that a completely clean, debris-free, smooth surface is easy to work on. However, the fact is that epoxy will adhere better to a rough surface rather than a completely smooth surface. Epoxy material will bond better with rough surfaces compared to entirely smooth surfaces. The roughness of your concrete surface can be ensured by grinding down the area or through the acid-etching solution.

Concrete surface grinding involves grinding the surface using a hand grinder or a commercial grinder. Experts use this tool in a circular motion and ensure that the same level is achieved on the entire surface. They also avoid gauging, digging, divots, etc., on the concrete surface. With this process, they aim to achieve a rough surface, and some pores are also opened to let epoxy material stick to the concrete floor completely.

Acid etching is another option to achieve a rough surface on your garage floor. This method is controversial as the results are inconsistent, and the process is hazardous. It can be completed quickly with some acids in the paint, glue, oil, or similar solutions. It is recommended that you follow all the instructions closely, as acid etching is a complicated and potentially dangerous process for those without experience with it.

STEP – 6

FILL UP THE CRACKS PRESENT ON THE GARAGE FLOOR

After creating some roughness on your garage floor, it's time to observe it closely for cracks, etc. This will take you closer to a smooth and durable garage floor epoxy application. These cracks and gaps must be filled before applying the garage floor epoxy, and you can purchase epoxy concrete crack fillers for this. Again, it is strongly recommended to follow the instructions on the product as the application procedure differs in different products.

STEP – 7

RINSING THE CONCRETE AND LETTING IT DRY

The final step is straightforward, as you must take your garden hose and rinse the entire garage to remove dust and debris. You must leave your garage floor to dry out completely before applying the epoxy solution. The floor must be completely dry before application as applying it on a wet floor will result in poor bonding, and you will start witnessing cracks, peels and bubbles very soon.

Garage flooring epoxy preparation sounds very complicated and challenging, but the fact is that the process is simple and well worth the effort. Only an adequately and appropriately prepared surface will ensure that the epoxy adheres well with the floor and provides a beautiful, long-lasting finish. This will also provide adequate protection from all types of conditions for years.

The role of the chosen epoxy contractor will be very crucial here. They will have to engage in all these activities, especially lifting and levelling to settle concrete garage floors. They must provide quick and easy crack repair services to handle other garage flooring issues. In short, it must fulfil all garage epoxy projects and concrete repairs-related needs.