Epoxy flooring is a great way to transform your garage into an area that’s easy to clean and durable. It’s also easy enough to do yourself, provided you follow the proper steps.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about installing epoxy in your garage.
Can I epoxy my garage floor myself?
You can do it yourself! It’s not that hard, but you need to know what you’re doing. Here’s a list of things to keep in mind before you get started:
- You’ll need the right tools and materials. You’ll also want to make sure your garage is clear of all debris, including oil spills and other slippery surfaces.
- The epoxy may take 24 hours or more to dry completely (depending on humidity), so plan accordingly. If possible, have someone help with the heavy lifting and moving around once the coating dries.
- Avoid sanding or scraping off any excess epoxy after it has dried for at least 12 hours; otherwise, there will be an uneven surface which could result in cracks later on down the road!
Table of Contents
- Can I epoxy my garage floor myself?
- How do I prep my garage floor for epoxy?
- How many coats of epoxy do you put on a garage floor?
- Do I need to seal garage floor before epoxy?
- What are the disadvantages of epoxy flooring?
- How much epoxy do I need for a 2 car garage?
- Do I need to etch concrete before epoxy?
- Should I prime garage floor before epoxy?
How do I prep my garage floor for epoxy?
The first step in the process is to prep your garage floor. You want your concrete to be clean and dry before applying epoxy, so make sure that any oil or grease is removed from your concrete.
If you have wax residue on your floor, you’ll want to use a mild detergent and water solution to get it up (use hot water for stubborn wax).
Once that’s done, use a wire brush or steel wool pad to remove rust spots and paint drips left behind by previous projects.
If there’s old epoxy on your garage flooring or sealer coating, remove those with acetone (a common household solvent found in nail polish remover) or mineral spirits (found at hardware stores like Lowe’s).
Remember: never mix these chemicals together because they will cause an explosion! When using this mixture as a degreaser make sure not to leave any liquid behind—dry it off completely before applying new paint or epoxy.
How many coats of epoxy do you put on a garage floor?
The number of coats you will need depends on the thickness of your epoxy. As a rule, for every 10 mils that you apply, you should add another coat.
For example, if you are using 20 mils (the standard thickness), then you will need at least two coats. If your garage floor is in great shape and only needs one coat, then give it one!
If your garage floor isn’t that old or in good condition, then it’s likely that two 2-car garages would require at least four coats while a 4-car might need six or even eight!
Do I need to seal garage floor before epoxy?
If your garage floor is unsealed concrete, it’s best to seal the surface first. If you have a sealed concrete floor and don’t want to re-seal it, you can skip this step.
The process of sealing garage floors depends on whether they are porous or non-porous:
- Porous surfaces must be cleaned and roughened with fine-grade sandpaper (60 grit).
- Non-porous surfaces require only light cleaning with TSP or detergent followed by rinsing with water on a hard surface pressure washer.
What are the disadvantages of epoxy flooring?
Epoxy flooring is not the easiest product to install, maintain and remove.
It’s not easy to repair because it’s difficult to access the damaged area once it has been installed. Also, if you don’t apply an epoxy coating before laying down another type of flooring, such as wood or laminate, you’ll have to remove the existing coating before installing your new flooring.
Epoxy floors aren’t easy to clean because the sealer used during installation can trap dirt inside which leads to a harder job when you’re trying to remove it later on.
And while they look good while they’re clean and shiny, there are some disadvantages associated with this type of flooring.
How much epoxy do I need for a 2 car garage?
To calculate the amount of epoxy you need for your garage, consider that a single coat of epoxy will cover about 400 square feet of floor or wall surface. Here’s how much epoxy you need to cover a two-car garage:
1 Gallon For A 2 Car Garage
2 Gallons For A 3 Car Garage
3 Gallons For A 4 Car Garage
Do I need to etch concrete before epoxy?
Epoxy can be applied over rough concrete, but you don’t have to etch the concrete before applying the epoxy. If your garage floor is smooth and clean, you can skip this step.
Etching will make it possible for the epoxy to adhere better to your garage floor because it creates a rougher surface that will hold onto more of the coating’s base coat.
Etching also makes it easier for cracks in the concrete to be filled by subsequent layers of coating.
Should I prime garage floor before epoxy?
You do not need to prime a garage floor before applying epoxy. Epoxy is self-sealing and will stick to the surface of your existing concrete, so priming is not necessary.
For this reason, it’s important that you clean your garage thoroughly before applying the epoxy coating.
If there are any oils or dirt on your garage floor, they can prevent the epoxy from sticking properly.
The last thing you want is an unevenly applied coating!
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about epoxy coating your garage floor, you should consider all the options. The decision isn’t one that can be made on a whim and it will impact your garage for years to come.
Thankfully, we have lots of resources available to help you decide what type of paint would work best in your situation.
