Once you check out the comments and feedback of people who have been using epoxy floor coatings and are unhappy with the results, you will realize the common denominator as to why they end up complaining. An epoxy garage floor coating that doesn’t work as promised by its advertisement is usually the result of improper floor prep. It is astonishing to hear the complaints like the coating failed to stick where there was an oil spot on the floor. This is to be expected and this is the reason why the instructions clearly tell you to use a high quality degreaser in order to remove any oil spots.
During the preparation of the concrete floor when an epoxy coating is going to be applied, it is absolutely necessary that the surface is properly prepared. The very first step is to sweep off all dirt and grime such as loose concrete chips and dust. The coating will not stick to these very little pieces and it will just lift off. The next step is to scrub the floor with soap using a floor broom with which you are going to sweep forward and backward. After you are done scrubbing the floor, you should thoroughly rinse it. When you are done, check for staining of oil and clear coats. Generally, you will recognize an oil spot but it’s difficult to know if the original contractor had applied a clear coat or not. You have to perform a bead test by spraying a light coating of water on the floor and then checking to see if water beads form. If there are no beads formed, and the water appears to soak into the surface, the floor is ready for the application of epoxy floor coating. If beads only occur in certain spots, then clean them again with a degreaser. If the entire floor beads, then you will need to etch it with a weak solution of muriatic acid and water in order to remove the clear coat.
If the floor has no more water beads, leave the floor the whole night so it will dry completely. If the weather is cold and humid, use a space heater inside the garage so that the water will dry out. The following day you will be ready to apply the epoxy coating.
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