Epoxy is a great choice for concrete floors, whether you’re looking to refurbish an old basement or restore an old home. It’s a durable and long-lasting material that will make your floor look good for decades.
But if you’re thinking about using it on a previously painted floor, there are some things you should be aware of.
In this article, I’ll explain how epoxy works with painted surfaces and whether or not it’s safe to apply over existing paint jobs.
Can epoxy be applied over painted concrete?
Yes, epoxy can be applied over painted concrete.
Epoxy is a versatile coating that can be applied to many surfaces, including concrete. It’s the best solution for when you need to add a glossy finish to concrete floors and walls in your garage or basement—and it won’t crack or peel. You can apply it directly onto clean, dry surfaces such as:
- Concrete floors
- Concrete walls
- Concrete countertops
Table of Contents
- Can epoxy be applied over painted concrete?
- Can you put epoxy resin over paint?
- How do you epoxy a painted concrete floor?
- Can you resurface over painted concrete?
- Do you need to remove paint from concrete before repainting?
- Can you pour resin over paint?
- What does epoxy not stick to?
- How do you prepare a painted concrete floor for painting?
Can you put epoxy resin over paint?
Epoxy resins are designed to adhere well to concrete, so yes, in this case, you can use epoxy over paint. The process is straightforward and predictable.
First, the painted surface should be sanded down until it’s smooth and free of debris that might interfere with the bond between the epoxy and concrete.
Then apply a coat of primer or sealer (depending on what type of paint was used) before applying your topcoat of epoxy resin.
If you want to add color to your project but don’t want it showing through after applying the epoxy, here’s what I would do: Apply two coats of primer/sealer coat first before applying whatever other paints or varnishes you want without worry about them being visible through the clear protective coating.
Then apply another coat of whatever finishes/coats you’d like over those – but only after making sure they won’t cause problems for later applications (i.e., testing if possible).
How do you epoxy a painted concrete floor?
This process requires a lot of prep work, but it’s worth it. You want to clean your concrete with a concrete cleaner before you start, then wipe it down with a wet rag.
After that, use a pressure washer to remove any dirt or grime still embedded in the surface of your floor. Now you’re ready for priming!
Sealant should be applied every time you paint over stained concrete—even if you’ve done so recently (like within the last month).
Sealing helps protect against moisture and degradation from UV rays that rob stain color over time. It also creates an even finish that makes all surfaces appear uniformly smooth when they’re finished drying after being painted on top of epoxy coating or other sealers (such as polyurethane).
The best way I know how to do this is by applying thin layers at once instead of thick ones because thick layers tend not only to prevent curing properly but can also cause cracking during curing as well.”
Can you resurface over painted concrete?
Yes, you can resurface over painted concrete. However, you will need to remove the old paint before applying your new epoxy coating.
It is important that you thoroughly clean the surface so that any contaminants are removed and no oil or grease remains on its surface.
After removing any loose pieces of old paint with a putty knife and cleaning it with soap and water, use a paint stripper or mineral spirits (paint thinner) to remove any remaining paint from the concrete.
Apply your primer as directed by its manufacturer’s instructions and allow it to dry completely before applying your epoxy coating according to its manufacturer’s directions for cure time.
Do you need to remove paint from concrete before repainting?
Yes, you can paint over concrete. But that doesn’t mean it will look good. You have to remove the old paint before painting new coats on top of the old ones.
The reason for this is simple: if you don’t remove the old paint, it can act as a barrier that prevents a good bond between your new coat and what’s underneath.
This will result in cracking and peeling after exposure to weather conditions like rain or humidity (which is normal for most climates).
There are several different methods for removing old coatings from concrete surfaces before repainting them with epoxy paints or other protective coatings such as urethanes, acrylics, etc… – One method involves using an electric grinder with coarse grinding wheels mounted on each end of a metal pole which has been dipped into the water so that each wheel becomes wetted by water every time they rotate around until all layers have been removed off completely without damaging any underlying surface materials like wood framing underneath, etc.
Can you pour resin over paint?
Yes, you can pour resin over paint. However, you’ll need to sand the paint off first. You can use a power sander, chemical stripper, or heat gun and grinder if needed.
What does epoxy not stick to?
Epoxy does not stick to the following materials:
- Metal
- Plastic
- Glass
- Wood
- Stone
How do you prepare a painted concrete floor for painting?
If you have a painted concrete floor, you may want to restore the original color. This can be done by peeling off the old paint with a grinder and then preparing it with an appropriate primer and sealer.
- Remove Old Paint
Use a grinder to remove all the old paint from your concrete slab. Be careful not to damage any parts of your home or yourself while doing this step.
- Prime and Seal It
After removing all of the loose paint from your slab, use two coats of oil-based primer (each coat should cover about 80% of the surface area) followed by two coats of sealant applied with long strokes in one direction (use one-inch overlap between strokes).
Conclusion
The fact that epoxy can be applied over painted concrete means you don’t have to worry about stripping the floor.
It also means that you won’t have to spend time on painting preparation and cleaning up afterward, saving yourself time and effort.