14 Sep From Spills To Shine: Epoxy’s Easy Clean Up Revolution
For the epoxy coating to bond properly, the surface must be clean and dry. Epoxy is fantastic, resistant to chemicals such as oils, solvents, and acids. The surface must also be rough rather than smooth to allow the epoxy to mechanically “key in” to it.
You can test the roughness of an epoxied surface by putting your gloved finger on it. If it feels tacky but no glue comes away, then the surface is ready to be coated again.
1. Clean the Substrate
As with any painting or coating job, the surface of the substrate must be thoroughly cleaned to ensure that the epoxy will adhere properly. This cleaning is especially important when it comes to bare metals. The oils in the human skin can taint or degrade surfaces, so it is best to wear gloves whenever possible when working on an epoxy project.
Any oil or grease should be removed with a solvent wipe prior to coating. This can be done using acetone, paint thinner or other proprietary mixtures such as DuPont Prep-Sol(tm) designed to remove specific contaminants. The organic solvents in these cleaners will dissolve the oily waxes and silicones that can prevent adhesion.
All scuffs and scratches should be lightly sanded with 80-grit sandpaper to a dull finish and wiped down again using the solvent wipe mentioned above. This will allow the sanding dust to be wiped away and will also prepare the metal for proper primer application.
In some cases, even a well-prepared substrate may have problems adhering to the epoxy. This is usually due to contamination of the surface. Most of the time this is caused by oil or grease that has contaminated the surface, but sometimes it is caused by other materials that epoxy does not adhere to as well. For example, epoxy does not bond very well to some plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene or Plexiglas. In these instances, flame oxidising (where the surface of the plastic is heated with a propane torch to burn off any residual oil) or sanding the plastic with a coarser grit can help improve adhesion.
The most common way to reduce the amount of contaminants in your workspace is to maintain a regular cleaning schedule. Sweeping the floor on a daily basis will keep the particles from building up and tarnishing the epoxy surface. In addition, using a walk-off mat at the entrance of your shop will collect any dirt or sand that is dragged in by foot traffic, bicycles and automobiles. This will save you the cost of cleaning chemicals and the hassle of constantly scrubbing your epoxy floors.
2. Sand the Substrate
When applying epoxy, the most important step is preparing the substrate. This means ensuring that the surface is clean, dry and free of contaminants. These include oil, grease, wax and other chemicals that can prevent the epoxy from adhering to the substrate. It also includes making sure the substrate is properly sanded.
While some of these issues may be impossible to avoid, there are a number that can be. Most problems with adhesion can be traced back to improper surface preparation. This is why it is important to follow the steps in this guide.
To begin sanding, you will need to have the appropriate equipment and supplies. For most projects, a power sander will be necessary. These sanders can be expensive, but they will ensure that your project is sanded evenly and thoroughly. To minimize the amount of dust that is created during sanding, consider using a sander with an attached vacuum cleaner. This will allow you to remove the dust as you work, minimizing your cleanup time and the risk of respiratory problems.
Once you have the right sanding equipment, you will need to begin by selecting the correct grit of paper. It is recommended to start with 120-grit, but you can move down to 60 or 80 if the project needs it. As you sand, be sure to overlap each pass by about half. This will help to remove scratching more effectively. It is also a good idea to wear a mask while you are sanding, to protect your respiratory system.
After you have finished sanding, you will need to clean the surface again. It is important to do this before applying any other materials, including primers and sealers. This is because contaminants can cause the epoxy to peel off from the substrate. To clean the surface, you will need to use a degreaser.
It is important to note that when cleaning your surfaces, you should not rub them with your bare hands. The oils in your skin can contaminate the surface and cause it to fail. Instead, you should always use gloves to touch your surfaces.
3. Prime the Substrate
It’s important that your surface is clean before you begin any epoxy application. This will help to ensure that the epoxy adheres well to the substrate and that it bonds correctly. A good cleaning process will also help to eliminate any air bubbles that could form in the epoxy coating or flooring.
You can use a pressure washer to wash the floor and remove any dirt, debris, or oil spots that are present on the concrete. Then, you should use a garden hose to rinse off the concrete and to ensure that it is completely dry before continuing with your project.
The next step in the process is to apply a coat of primer to the concrete. This will help to seal the concrete and to create a smooth surface for your final epoxy coating. The primer will also help to protect the concrete from moisture and other contaminants that could break down the epoxy over time.
When you’re applying the primer, it’s important that you follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Then, you should let the primer dry. Typically, this will take overnight.
Once the primer has dried, you can apply your epoxy. Be sure to mix the resin and hardener according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You should also wear protective gear like gloves, eye protection, and a mask or respirator while you’re working with the chemicals.
If you’re not careful, it’s easy to apply too much epoxy. This can result in a thin coat of epoxy that doesn’t adhere to the substrate properly. It’s also important to sand the epoxy between coats. This will help to smooth out any areas of unevenness and will ensure that each coat of epoxy adheres well to the substrate.
It’s also important to avoid wiping the surface with organic solvents like acetone or lacquer thinner. This is because the chemicals in these solvents can dissolve and deposit contaminates on the surface, which can prevent proper adhesion.
4. Let the Substrate Dry
There are some materials that epoxy simply does not adhere to very well no matter how clean the surface is. These problems are almost always traceable to surface contamination. This may be from wax, oil, grease, dirt, dust, or other foreign material that prevents the epoxy from adhering to the substrate. In many cases, these contaminants are invisible to the naked eye. For this reason, it is a good idea to wipe the substrate with a clean, lint-free cotton rag or cloth wetted with denatured alcohol before applying any epoxy.
It is also important to repair any cracks, holes, or chipped areas of the substrate before coating. This is easy to do with a patching compound and can be done in a very short amount of time. After repairs are made and the surface is clean, it is important to allow the substrate to dry for a period of time. This will help to ensure that the epoxy is able to bond properly to the substrate.
For most applications, it is best to apply the first coat of epoxy on a dry substrate. This will help to ensure that the epoxy dries uniformly and does not contain air bubbles. A WEST SYSTEM 800 Roller Cover or a plastic spreader/squeegee is a great tool for this application.
Once the first coat of epoxy is applied, it is important to wait a minimum of four hours for it to cure. This will help to ensure that the epoxy has a uniform, dark color.
If necessary, a second coat of epoxy can be applied after the first one has had an opportunity to cure. It is important to wait an adequate amount of time for the second coat to cure, however, in order to achieve a uniform color.
Once the second coat of epoxy has had an opportunity to cure, it is important to remove any excess epoxy from the substrate. This can be done with a squeegee or by hand. Be sure to avoid putting too much pressure on the squeegee or you may create dry spots on the substrate.