can you epoxy new concrete?

You can epoxy new concrete. However, it is not a good idea to do so. The process of applying an epoxy coating will compromise the integrity of your freshly poured concrete and could lead to costly repairs down the road.

Can you epoxy over new concrete?

Yes, you can epoxy over new concrete. In fact, it’s preferable to wait at least a week after pouring your concrete before applying epoxy.

This allows the concrete to cure and dry out before it becomes too hard for the epoxy to adhere properly.

If you’re working with a brand-new slab of concrete that is still wet or freshly poured, then feel free to apply your epoxy right away—no need for waiting! You’ll want to make sure that there aren’t any large puddles left behind by the trowel when you smooth out the surface; these will create an uneven coating when painted over with epoxy.

It’s also possible that if your slab has been covered up by tarps and plastic sheeting while curing on-site (during which time no one would be able to get near enough), then once uncovered again there may be some dried-out areas where moisture has evaporated through tiny cracks between plastic sheets covering them up during curing time period; these spots will have become hardened into small pebbles during this process but shouldn’t take long at all before being covered again with fresh watery material.

How soon after pouring concrete can you epoxy?

If you’ve just poured concrete on your driveway, or any other new concrete surface for that matter, can you apply an epoxy coating? The answer is yes.

The key is to wait at least 7 days after pouring the concrete before applying the epoxy coating. If you don’t wait long enough, the moisture in your freshly poured concrete will cause problems with applying an epoxy coating and may even damage it once it dries.

Once your concrete has been cured for 7 days (which is generally plenty of time), all that’s left to do is clean off any dust or dirt from its surface using a high-pressure water hose.

Do I need to prep new concrete for epoxy?

Yes, you absolutely need to prep new concrete for epoxy. As with any application, the surface beneath is going to be your biggest hurdle.

When applying epoxy on a new concrete floor or slab, there are a few things you want to do before applying:

  • Clean the surface thoroughly with water and a degreaser like TSP or Simple Green.
  • Use an etch/cleaner like Tetra Stone Etch & Clean. This is necessary for adhesion of the epoxy and will help prevent peeling later on down the road. You can also use a pressure washer if that’s more convenient for you!

Should I epoxy on brand new garage floor?

Epoxy is a great choice for garage floors, as it’s very durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. However, before you begin applying epoxy to your new garage floor, make sure that it’s clean and free of oil or grease.

If there’s still oil or grease present on the surface of your concrete slab, those substances will prevent the epoxy from curing properly.

In addition to being durable and stain-resistant, epoxy makes a great finish coat because its low viscosity allows it to bond well with concrete surfaces (which tend not to be very smooth). Epoxies are also easy-to-use; they’re typically applied using one of three methods: brushing/rolling/spreading (with a roller), spraying (using an HVLP spray gun), or foaming (using an airbrush).

How do you prepare new concrete for epoxy coating?

It’s important to prepare the surface correctly before you apply an epoxy coating.

Before you apply an epoxy coating, you must remove all dust, dirt, and debris from the concrete surface. You should also remove any oil or grease that may have accumulated on the surface because this can cause bubbles in your epoxy coating.

In addition to oil or grease, make sure to remove any loose paint as well as any loose rust or concrete that has been chipped off of the floor during construction. If there are areas where mortar was used between brick pavers, make sure they are removed as well before applying your epoxy coating.

Lastly, if there are areas where grout was used between tile pieces or stone pavers around the edges of your patio flooring area (such as around a fireplace), then those areas need to be cleaned off well so they don’t get trapped under your new coat of epoxy sealer when applied later on down the road!

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

If you don’t etch the concrete before applying epoxy, it will not bond well to the surface. This means that you’ll have an uneven, rough finish.

Can you epoxy rough concrete?

No, you can’t. Epoxy won’t stick to rough concrete, so you will need to smooth it out with a grinding machine and then clean it before applying the epoxy.

Grinding is best done before the epoxy goes on because if you grind afterward, there is a chance that the blade will come into contact with your freshly applied layers of epoxy.

However, if you are using an industrial-grade grinder (which is what we recommend), this shouldn’t be a problem at all.

You can also use a sander or liquid abrasive such as sandpaper or grinding paste to achieve a smoother surface prior to applying your epoxy coating.

How do you know if concrete is ready for epoxy?

If you’re looking for a foolproof way to determine if your concrete is ready for epoxy, a pH meter is the best bet. A pH test kit and/or concrete penetrant test can also be used in lieu of or in addition to a pH meter.

  • A pH meter measures acidity levels on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral and 0 being very acidic (think battery acid). If your concrete has a high pH level (higher than 10), it means that there’s too much alkali (base) present in the mix. This can cause scaling issues with any surface applied over it—and it definitely won’t play well with an epoxy coating!
  • A concrete penetrant test measures how well water molecules are able to penetrate into the pore structure of hardened concrete; this helps determine whether or not alkalis have been incorporated into the mixture during curing. If there are no alkaline particles present, the penetration will be limited until they’ve dissipated through evaporation or some other process—either of which would take days or weeks depending on several factors including air temperature and humidity levels at the time of application

Conclusion

It’s possible but it’s not something I’ve tried. I would recommend calling a concrete expert from your area and asking them about their experiences with this process.

Photo of author

Martin Flood

Martin Flood has been working in the construction industry for over 20 years as a general contractor with expertise in remodeling projects that are large or small. He has furthered his career by specializing in epoxy resin flooring, providing excellent service to both commercial and residential clients. Martin’s experience enables him to offer professional advice on how to choose the right type of project based on your needs and budget.

Leave a Comment