It is not uncommon to coat the concrete floor in your garage or paint it to protect it. The type of coating used can impact how well it works, but many epoxy garage floor coating systems exist on the market and can help you protect your floor, whether it is brand new or an older floor that you do not want to have to replace.

Floor Coatings

If you are thinking about coating the floor in your garage to keep it in good shape and protect it from oil, gas, or other materials dripping on it, there are some options you may want to consider. Epoxy garage floor coatings offer a hard surface that is difficult to penetrate and is resistant to most of the chemicals that can leak from the average car. 

These floor coatings come in many different colors and can be put on the floor in a pattern to create a custom look, or in some cases, they can be put down over other floor paint, taped lines, or markings that help you determine where your car needs to be in the garage. The possibilities are nearly endless, and the products available make it possible to install the floor coating yourself or hire a contractor that works with epoxy garage floor coatings to install it for you.

Floor Preparation

Before you can install an epoxy garage floor coating, the concrete floor needs to be clean or the coating will not adhere to the concrete properly. Start with sweeping the floor and getting all the dirt off the surface, then look for grease or oil stains on the concrete. 

Any petroleum-based stains will need to be removed, and muriatic acid is typically recommended to do the job. The acid is corrosive, so it is critical that you follow all the directions when working with it and wear gloves, goggles, and other recommended safety equipment. When used correctly, muriatic acid is the best way to get all the grease off the floor, but it can damage the floor if it is left on too long, so if you are uncomfortable working with it, call a professional service to clean the floor for you.

Installing The Coating

Most epoxy garage floor coatings require mixing when it is time to put the material on the floor. The directions that came with the material will explain how to mix it properly and how long you have to get it on the floor. The coating is often self-leveling, so you will pour it on the floor and use a large squeegee to move it around the floor, then allow it to sit and cure. 

If you would rather have the floor installed for you, a floor coating contractor can come clear and coat the floor, ensuring the job is done correctly, and they typically offer a warranty on the work they have done for you. In both cases, once the floor coating is cured, the garage floor will be durable and last for many years. 

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