Here is everything you will need to give your nasty concrete floors a dazzling refresh!
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TIPS:
Color Options: We used the color "Gray High Gloss" in the Rust-Oleum Epoxy Shield Kit (I wanted Dark Gray but it was out of stock everywhere). I bought the "Glacier Gray" chips separately. The Gray comes with chips that are blue, black, and white and I wanted the "Glacier Gray" mix instead. One bag covered our entire 2.5 car garage. Dark Gray comes with black, white, and gray chips.
Primer: It is not required in the kit but I recommend using a concrete primer. It helped fill in divots, seams, and small cracks which allowed for a smoother epoxy application. Our floor was also really stained so I felt the extra step would make sure everything was completely covered.
Safety: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. Etching involves citric acid and can cause skin/eye irritation.
Steps We Took:
Remove everything from the floor so it's completely clear.
Sweep/vacuum/leaf blow all dust, dirt, nasties off of the concrete.
Rinse with pressure washer or hose.
Mix degreaser + cleaner with water as instructed on label and apply then scrub with scrubbing brush. Rinse. Repeat this step if needed.
Mix etching powder from your kit according to instructions in a watering can. Use protective clothing, gloves, mask, eyewear. Apply in sections, leave on for allotted time in instructions and scrub. Rinse after each section. Then go back and rinse everything one more time to make sure you got everything.
Squeegee if needed, ours had pockets where water was pooling. Let dry. We let it dry over night. Humidity and air temperature will affect drying times.
Mix your primer up with a paint stirrer really well. Using a paint brush, apply primer in tight corners, along edges, anywhere where a paint roller can't reach.
Pour primer into a paint try and use roller attached to an extender poll to roll primer onto the concrete. Apply more pressure in areas that are rougher to get primer into all the nooks and crannies. Let dry completely (ours dried half a day and over night. Humidity and air temperature will affect drying times.
Mix Epoxy Shield up following instructions keeping in mind the air temperature and the "pot life" of your epoxy once mixed based on that temperature. Add to paint tray.
The Epoxy Shield will need to be applied in about 4x4' sections. I used a paint brush to trim out edges as we went versus trimming everything first like we did with primer. Trim edges, fill in rest of section with roller, sprinkle color chips. Make sure to add chips quickly before epoxy dries so they stick really good.
The color chips spread more evenly if you toss them up in the air to naturally fall and then fill in bare spots here and there with gentle tosses. Try to keep the chip amounts in your fingers consistent for a more consistent finish. Color chips aren't necessary however they add traction for walking on since epoxy itself can be slick. They also camouflage imperfections and personally add a little extra texture and color to the look.
It's okay to roll over previously placed chips on the edges of each section, you'll want to blend the sections together as you go for a more even finish.
Let dry completely. We left it over night and I was able to walk on ours the next morning. I would wait AT LEAST 3 days before driving a car on it. Maybe a full 24 hours before putting things back on it. Once again, humidity and air temperature will affect drying times.
Necessary Items Needed
Rust-Oleum Epoxy Shield Kit | Degreaser + Cleaner | 9"x3/8" Nap Roller | Extendable Roller Handle | Scrubbing brush (for degreaser and etching) | Watering Can (for mixing and applying etching powder) | Paint Roller Tray | Paint Brush (for painting hard to reach edges & corners | Push Broom | Protective Gear (Masks, goggles, gloves etc) | A couple hours of solid music playlists :)
Rust-Oleum Epoxy Shield Kit comes with: Concrete etch, 2-part epoxy floor system and vinyl color chips
Also available in smaller kits for smaller spaces
Suggested Things to Buy - Not required
Concrete Primer - Our floor was really stained, helps cover up and fill in imperfections for a smoother epoxy application. We used 2 cans to cover our 2.5 car garage floor.
Concrete Crack Patch & Repair Kit - Mostly for larger cracks, we had small cracks that the primer filled in nicely
Color Chips - If you prefer a different color than what comes with your kit
Squeegee - Helps speed up floor drying time after rinses)
Clear Top Coat - We didn't use this but it's an extra step that will seal your floor and give it more durability
Click here for Rust-Oleum Epoxy Shield Kit instructions including when air temperature is best for application, etc.
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