RESTORE-GARAGE EPOXY SURFACE PREPARATION
STEP 1 – Clean Surface
- Remove all items from the garage floor.
- Use a household broom to thoroughly sweep the entire garage floor. All dirt particles and debris should be swept off the floor.
NOTE: Removed items will not be able to return to the garage until 24 hours following the application.
Previously coated surfaces: Restore-A-Garage Prep Solution will not work on previously sealed, painted, or coated surfaces. If your garage has been previously sealed, painted, or coated, the use of a diamond grinder or shot blaster is recommended to remove those coatings and rough up the surface.
Oil or Grease Stained Floors: If your concrete oil/grease on the floor, Restore-A-Garage Cleaner/Degreaser in many cases will work to bring the oil/grease to the surface. Degrease the area a few times and then follow the etching directions.
STEP -2 Etch Surface
Etch the Surface with Restore-A-Garage Etch Prep
NOTE: Proper surface preparation is very important because it ensures that the epoxy chemically bonds to the surface. If the surface is smooth, the epoxy does not perform effectively
- All dirt, oil, loose concrete, and foreign contaminants must be removed to assure a trouble-free bond to the substrate. No priming is necessary
- In a bucket, mix 1 part Restore-A-Garage Etch Prep Solution to 4 parts water. Mix the solution completely.
- Use a mop to spread the solution. Scrub from the far back corner of the garage to the garage entry. Be certain to use the solution liberally on crevices or cracks.
- Spray down the garage floor using only water from the hose. Work from the far back corner to the garage entry, having the water wash out of the garage through the garage entry. Be certain that all the Restore-A-Garage Prep Solution is completely washed away. Blanched foam may develop as the water from the hose washes the solution away and out of the garage.
- Let surface fully dry for 24 hours before proceeding with the application of Restore-A-Garage Epoxy Coatings.
Any Questions on How-To Prep? Ask Below.
Can i use restore a garage outside in direct sunlight?
Years ago, we put in a ‘brown bag’ floor that used brown newspaper rolls and polyurethane. The newspaper has mostly all come off since then. How would we prep the floor for this epoxy?
You will need to grind it all off.
Thankfully, I did some research before going with the big box store junk and found this! Just purchased a new home and painted the drywall. Have specks of paint from roller sleeves that missed the drop cloth on brand new concrete. Will using mineral spirits or any other solvents to remove paint be problematic when applying? Also, with brand new garage floor, will etching still be needed? Thank you.
Yes, you must etch. Removing the paint is not an issue.
If I grind the floor first, do I still need to chemical etch?
No need.
I found your site only today after starting the garage floor work. I etched, cleaned and washed it thoroughly. Applied primer and came across your site. Can I now put the solid epoxy.
Sorry, but no. You cannot use a primer with our products.
I have a low spot in the garage that is not at the garage door that is about 1/2 to low. I was looking to use a Quikrete Re-Cap Concrete Resurfacer which is a polymer modifiers mix in that area to keep rain and snow melt away and move it closer to the garage door opening. Can I user an epoxy coating over that and if I use your epoxy coating in that area after the resurfacer cures is there anything special I should do beyond etching?
Yes, that should be fine to use. Nothing else is needed.
My Garage is about 1000sf and I want to do it in 3 sections along the cut lines. Are there any concerns with overlap that may occur when the next section is done, or should I mask off the sections as I go from one section to the other?
If you are doing it all at once then just continue as you go. If you are going to stop and start, then tape it off. Make sure that you know that you must the epoxy within 30 minutes after mixing.
Is it necessary/recommended to fill basement floor stress lines/cracks?
No, it is not needed but you can if you want.
I have just had a concrete pad poured for a small shop. Can this go on the new concrete without any prep? It has not been sealed as I plan on putting down a epoxy coating.
You must prep with the Etch and Clean first: https://www.restore-a-garage.com/restore-a-garage-prep/restore-a-garage-etch-clean.html
Thanks
I have some very small (hair-line) cracks in my floor. What is a good product to use over these cracks that the Epoxy will stick to? I had a floor once that had epoxy on it and everywhere that a crack had been caulked, the Epoxy chipped away.
Quickcrete concret patch.
I am looking to repair some spots on my previously done epoxy floor. there are some parts that have chipped off (outside of the garage door). I also have 1 spot that bubbled up (about a silver dollar size) that needs repair. Can I use this product or do I have to redo the whole floor?
Redo the entire floor.
HUH? How do I remove the old epoxy so I have a clean concrete floor to work with.
You would have to remove the previous coating by grinding it all off.
Our shop floor is about a year old, but has developed cracks that are fairly long. Is there anything I should do to prep these cracks before applying epoxy?
Use a concrete crack filler first if needed.