Epoxy floors are durable surfaces that are perfect for many commercial and industrial areas. In this article, we’ll examine the properties of epoxy resins and what you can put on top of an epoxy floor to make it more attractive.
An epoxy resin is a thermosetting polymer made up of epoxide and a polyamine. The polyamine will bond with the epoxide at room temperature to form a strong, heat-resistant material that can be used in many applications. Epoxy resins have high tensile strength, making them ideal for thick coatings that need to withstand heavy loads and foot traffic.
How do you cover an epoxy floor?
If you need to cover your epoxy floor, the good news is that it’s relatively simple to do so.
Here are a few options:
- Paint over it
- Carpet over it (with padding)
- Install a floor covering on top of the epoxy
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Can you clear coat over epoxy floor?
After a lot of research, we found that the epoxy flooring we’d chosen was recommended by both our contractor and a good friend. We couldn’t have made a better choice! Throughout the process, it seemed that the only thing people had to say about this floor was that it’s incredibly durable and holds up well to spills.
From what we could tell, this was true. But even if you’re unlikely to find yourself in such circumstances, we still recommend using epoxy for almost every surface in your home.
If you need any help with your next project, don’t hesitate to ask us. We can give you all sorts of tips on how to prep your home for an epoxy floor—whether it’s new construction or replacing an old one. When applying the first coat is complete, do take caution not to scrape off any paint or sealant from previous applications (you might be surprised at how much residue can cling onto old floors!).
After letting the epoxy cure for 24 hours, we recommend adding another coat if you feel like it will help prevent any imperfections in the finish or give you desirable results. Oh yeah—and do make sure someone else isn’t about to walk through the room when you’re doing so!
What should you not put on an epoxy floor?
Us readers love a good list, so in the interest of saving time and space, here’s a quick overview of the things that you should NOT put on top of an epoxy floor:
- Paint, as it will crack and chip easily.
- Wax—it’ll wear off too quickly, making your floors look streaky.
- Varnish—not only can you not use this on an epoxy floor, but it also has no place in any respectable home improvement project. The strong smell makes it extremely unpleasant to work with, so I’d stick to something more low-key if you’re looking for a sealant for your epoxy floor.
- Urethane coating—this may seem obvious (urethane is another type of resin), but urethane has a high moisture content that can cause the top layer or layers of your epoxy floor to delaminate over time.
Can you put a clear coat over epoxy garage floor?
You can put a clear coat over your epoxy garage floor. Applying a clear coat is a good way to protect your floor from damage and make it easier to clean. You can apply the clear coat yourself or pay a professional to do this for you.
First, make sure that the epoxy floor is fully dried before applying the clear coat. If you pour on a clear coat immediately after applying the epoxy, it will not adhere well and will wear off quickly.
Although some people don’t recommend waiting more than 24 hours before pouring on the clear coat, it is best to wait at least 7 days before doing so. After the 7-day period has passed, use acetone to clean the surface of your garage floor thoroughly prior to pouring on the first layer of clear coat. Once you have applied 1-2 coats of clear coat, wait 24 hours before driving on your garage floor again.
Can you put epoxy on top of epoxy?
You can! There are some key benefits to doing so:
- It provides an extra layer of protection for your floor.
- It allows for the implementation of new color schemes since you’re working on top of an already solid base.
- It helps you level out small cracks or imperfections in your existing epoxy floor.
Can you sand epoxy and recoat?
You sure can! Once you have applied and cured the epoxy, if you feel like it needs another coat, you can sand it down and re-coat.
This might be a good idea if there are some thin spots or if you just want to be extra thorough about protecting your floor for as long as possible.
Start by sanding with 100 grit or 120 grit sandpaper, then work your way up to 220 grit. You’ll know that the epoxy is ready for another coat when it has a dull texture and matte finish.
Can you put varnish over epoxy?
You can put varnish over epoxy, but you need to make sure the surface is clean and dust-free. Epoxy usually takes up to 72 hours before it fully cures, so you should wait that long before applying a layer of varnish on top.
Can you put a sealer over epoxy paint?
Epoxy floor paint has many uses, and one of the most common is as a top coat. You can use it over a non-porous surface such as tile or concrete.
The epoxy will fill in the pores on the surface to make the floor smooth and glossy. When you’re applying it, use a thin layer so that you don’t get any drips or runs on the surface.
You can also use epoxy paint as a base coat for other types of finishes such as polyurethane or lacquer. This can help protect your floors from damage caused by water or oil stains and will add an extra layer of protection against scratches and scuffs from furniture legs moving across them over time.
To apply these finishes over top of epoxy floor paint, first, apply two coats of polyurethane sealer (with drying time between coats), then apply one coat each of polyurethane lacquer (with drying time between coats) before applying your final finish like ceramic tiles for example (with drying time between coats).
Conclusion
As you now know, there are a wide variety of options available to help you cover your epoxy floor. Each option has its own pros and cons, but hopefully, this guide has helped demonstrate exactly how you can use each of them to their full potential.
