What No One Tells You About Epoxy Kits

It is extremely tempting to want to install an epoxy coating on your garage floor. Everyone likes to get a good deal and save money. Sometimes a good deal is not really a good deal at all.

Most people follow the epoxy kit instructions thinking it’s going to be a simple DIY project. Well, it turns out most people don’t do enough research or ask the right questions. So, it’s only when they start the self-applying epoxy process that all these unanswered questions come up. Epoxy kits have a very tight working window, so it makes the experience very stressful and difficult.

A quality floor coating requires certain steps to be taken to ensure a long-lasting floor. Chances are you end up having an epic fail. Don’t waste your money and learn the hard way. Let a professional do it.

Epoxy is not paint. It is a thermosetting polymer that possesses unique mechanical and resistance properties. Applying a DIY epoxy kit seems like it would be somewhat similar to painting a room in your house, but unfortunately, it’s not as easy as opening the can and rolling it on the floor.

Some epoxy kits claim to be easy to apply, resist hot tire pick-up or marks, slip resistance, abrasion resistance, have no odor, etc. Let me tell you why buying an epoxy kit is the worst thing you can do.

The Problems of Epoxy Kits:

  • Poor surface preparation

Cleaning by itself will make zero difference. No matter what type of degreaser you employ, it will have no impact on the concrete profile. Acid etching, while a valid preparation method, will only work if the concrete’s pores are open enough to allow the acid to react.

Epoxy floor preparation
  • No primer

Epoxy kits don’t provide a primer. A primer is the foundation of your floor coating system. Without it, your epoxy system will not work as well no matter what type of epoxy you apply.

Epoxy primer for garage floor
  • No instructions on curing time or amounts to mix per square footage

The chemical reaction between resin and hardener as epoxy cures will generate heat. When this heat cannot escape, it builds up, causing the epoxy to cure faster. Your product will most likely harden in the bucket before you are finished with the application process.

  • Sun bleaching

With a low-quality epoxy product, you will notice the areas that the epoxy is exposed to the sun will start bleaching or start turning yellow.

Epoxy kit failure on garage floor
  • No chip coverage

Not enough flakes. You will not receive a full broadcast coverage with the 2 zip-lock bags you get of flakes. Chip coverage will be minimal and patterns will not be evenly distributed.

Epoxy flake system on garage floor
  • No top coat

With no topcoat, there is no added protection. A polyaspartic top coat adds durability, protects epoxy coat, flakes, makes it easy to clean, adds depth to the floor coating, creates a glossy finish, and can be re-coated to look new again.

Whether or not you decide to do a garage floor coating project yourself comes down to cost vs. how long your floor will last.

The long-term value that you will receive from a professionally installed coating is the cost-effective option because it will last 10-20 times as long as a DIY epoxy system.

Long-term durability is due to a higher level of concrete preparation achieved by the diamond grinding or shot blasting processes from professional installers and the quality and thickness of coating used by professionals.

Obtain the best features and benefits with Titan Garage Floors epoxy chip system. Providing durability, safety, coverage, convenience, and low maintenance.

Get a true permanent high-performance application, one you will be proud of for many years ahead.

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