can I epoxy over new concrete?

The short answer to this question is no, you cannot epoxy over new concrete. Epoxies are not water soluble and often cannot be used on wet surfaces.

However, there are many other options available to you should you wish to cover your newly poured concrete with something that will last longer than paint would.

How long does new concrete have to cure before epoxy?

Concrete is a building material made from cement and stones, and once it has been poured, curing time begins. This process can take anywhere from one to seven days depending on the size of the concrete slab and weather conditions.

While concrete is still curing, moisture is still escaping out through the surface of the slab as it hardens in its new form.

The longer that moisture goes unchecked, the more problems could arise with your concrete job—including peeling epoxy later on down the road!

So if you’re planning on using any kind of coating over newly-poured concrete (especially an epoxy coating), then wait until all that moisture has evaporated before doing so.

Do I need to prep new concrete for epoxy?

While you don’t need to prep your new concrete for epoxy, it’s a good idea to make sure that your floor is free of dust and debris before applying epoxy.

While you can use a broom or vacuum cleaner on the surface of the concrete, there are better tools available for removing all the loose particles that tend to collect around edges and in corners.

The best way to clean up your new concrete is by sweeping it with an edger sweeper: a long-handled device with a soft bristle brush at one end.

This will remove any dust that has collected around doors or other areas where there may be some buildup of dirt over time.

Once you’ve swept up as much debris as possible, sweep out any remaining dust again using a shop vac or wet/dry vacuum attachment on your hose until no more residue is visible on top of the surface (this last step isn’t necessary unless there was quite a bit of dirt around).

Do you have to prime concrete before epoxy?

You don’t have to prime concrete before epoxy, but you can. You should consider priming your concrete if:

• You’re going over a dark color.
• The surface is not smooth enough for a good bond with the epoxy.

If you are planning on priming your concrete, there are some things to keep in mind:

• You’ll need an appropriate primer for the type of epoxy you are using (i.e., polyester, acrylic). If your primer is compatible with both polyester and acrylic resins then that’s ideal as it will allow you more flexibility when choosing an epoxy product later down the line without having to worry about mixing two separate types together or needing two different products from different manufacturers just so they’ll work together well enough without causing any problems later on down the road after applying them all over each other following their respective instructions for each one separately instead of using one single type which would require less effort overall due to fewer steps needed overall when compared against using two separate ones instead.)

What happens if you don’t etch concrete before epoxy?

Epoxy over cured concrete is often not a viable option. If you apply the epoxy too soon after the concrete has been poured and has set, there will be problems with adhesion, gloss, durability, and bond strength.

Epoxies are designed to adhere to surfaces that have been etched with acid or sandpaper to roughen the surface up so that it will grip them better.

Freshly poured concrete doesn’t have any of these qualities—it’s smooth and shiny like glass!

This means that if you try to apply an epoxy directly onto new concrete without etching it first, there won’t be enough surface area on which your epoxy can stick; instead of getting a good bond between your floor finish and the floor itself (which is what makes things durable), all you’ll end up with is a thin layer of shiny plastic sitting atop your perfect-looking flooring scheme—not exactly what most people want from their interiors!

How do you know if concrete is dry enough to epoxy?

If you’re applying an epoxy coating to a new concrete floor, you need to know how long it will take for the concrete to dry.

Concrete curing time varies depending on the type of concrete and where it’s being applied. For example, the aggregate-filled or lightweight aggregate may require less time than regular Portland cement concrete (which is also called “PCC”).

In general, if your new floor has been poured and cured at least 48 hours before you begin working with it, then you can move forward with your project as desired. If not, then read on!

How do you know if concrete is ready for epoxy?

Before applying an epoxy coating, it’s important to make sure that your concrete is ready for a long-lasting finish. Concrete should be dry enough so that you can walk on it in socks without sinking into it.

It also needs to be hard enough so that someone can stand on the surface without leaving marks. This means that the concrete has reached its final strength after construction and curing, but don’t worry—you’ll have some time before this occurs!

A few other things need to happen before you apply the epoxy:

• Make sure there are no oil or grease stains left over from construction vehicles and tools (this will prevent adhesion)
• Make sure there are no contaminants like dust or dirt present (this will prevent adhesion)

How do you prepare new concrete for epoxy coating?

When you’re ready to install epoxy, there are some steps you can take to ensure your project goes smoothly.

First, clean the concrete with a power washer or by using an industrial-strength detergent and water. You may want to hire a professional to do this step because they have the equipment necessary for effective cleaning.

If you decide to clean it yourself, make sure that the water temperature is below 120 degrees Fahrenheit so as not to damage your new flooring surface.

Next, prime your surface with a wetting agent and allow it time for bonding before sealing with a polyurethane sealer (a clear topcoat).

This will help prevent cracks from forming when applying epoxy coatings on top of bare concrete. Simply mist over areas where there aren’t any cracks in order not to waste product!

Now comes time for etching – this process helps create channels within concrete so liquid resin can bond better during curing process without creating small pockets between sections where bubbles might form later down line which could lead away from seamless finish look desired when finished product comes out looking nice & polished after drying completely overnight before moving forward next day using another product called “Barrier Coat” (not included here today) which acts like glue;

holding everything together tightly until final touches are complete one week later using a latex paint brush dipped into a bucket filled halfway full with white exterior paint mixed well beforehand then applied evenly across entire surface area slowly blending each section together smoothly without leaving any streaks anywhere else except maybe around edges where other coats were added earlier but those too should blend nicely once dry enough for next day application.”

How do you epoxy a new concrete floor?

There are several ways to prepare your new concrete floor for an epoxy coating. The method used will depend on how dirty your floor is and how much prep work you want to do before applying the epoxy.

Below are some of the most common ways to clean a new concrete floor:

• Use a power washer or high-pressure hose to remove any excess dust, dirt, and oil buildup from the surface of the slab. This is generally all that’s needed if you’re simply trying to give yourself something smooth and slick on which to lay down an epoxy coating without any fancy colors or patterns in mind.
• Cleaning solutions like Bon Ami Pro Concrete Cleaner will help break up grime so it can be rinsed away more easily with water afterward. Be sure not to use anything too abrasive—you don’t want any scratches or gouges left behind! Don’t forget about other surfaces such as walls (if applicable), floors above ground level (if applicable), etc., since many cleaning agents may leave residue behind even after being properly rinsed off at high temperatures…

Conclusion

Epoxies are strong, durable, and versatile. They’re great for sealing concrete, bonding surfaces and in many other applications.