The Garage Floor Coating Process in Leesburg, VA – How it All Works!

Are you considering getting the garage floors in your Leesburg, VA, home coated or epoxy coated?

Garage floors are often dull, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Epoxy coatings in this day and age have been making concrete floors not only stand out but also persevere the lifespan of the garage floor itself. With so much ever-changing weather in and around the Leesburg/Northern Virginia region (super hot summers and really cold winters), garage floors need some TLC.

One of the best ways to provide care for your concrete floors like those in your garage, is to use epoxy and flake coating. At this point, you’re probably thinking, “What does this process look like?”

Today, we’ll talk about the steps to get a properly prepared floor coating to make your garage floor look fresh and how the DIY route is actually not your best idea!

Want to Learn How our Leesburg Garage Floor Coating Process Works? 6 Steps:

First, here are three terms/floor coatings that will be good to know:

• Epoxy coating – A coating compound that consists of an epoxy resin and a hardener applied on a concrete floor to protect it from damage
• Water-based epoxy vs. Solvent based epoxy: The former is low in volatile organic compounds and odorless, and the latter is more durable and better performing.
• Metallic Lava Flow: a special multi-layered epoxy floor coating system that incorporates the use of a metallic additive mixed into a clear epoxy coating to create exotic effects.

When it comes to Tactical Garages and More’s process of restoring a garage floor, the first thing we do is assess the need of the homeowner/client. For example, an everyday person like yourself might just want a simple epoxy and flake floor coating to seal their garage floor. On the other hand, a dealership or showroom may use the Metallic Lava Flow.

Of course, you do! Let’s get after it. Here is a step-by-step guide to prepare and apply an epoxy coating to your garage floor.

➡️ See our recent project, an epoxy garage flooring project in Arcola.

1. Prep the scene by grinding the concrete surface

This step is crucial as you are preparing your entire floor for the epoxy floor coating by refining and removing weak/damaged concrete to create a porous concrete floor as the base, known as a scratch pattern, to adhere to the epoxy. Grinding will remove impurities from your concrete floor, such as oil stains, etc., which is critical.

It’s a dust-free process because it has an attached vacuum for easy disposal of loose debris! Some practice concrete etching using muriatic acid to open pores in the concrete floor, promoting more excellent adhesion and, therefore, success in epoxy flooring as well.

Talk with the professionals at the Tactical Garage team here!

2. Reconstruct the Concrete Floor

Make sure to fill all pits and cracks and patch holes before applying epoxy onto the floor. Epoxy patching material is often used in this step! Garage floor coatings require that your entire garage floor is properly restored before proceeding. Once the floor is fully restored, you’re ready for garage floor epoxy!

3. Next, we apply a base coating

After reconstructing the concrete floor, apply an epoxy primer coat as the foundation, which penetrates into the concrete and paves the way for a thicker second coat. Without the base coating, the epoxy solution could not successfully be applied. This is vital with the aforenoted weather in and around Leesburg, VA. The humid summers and cold winters cause concrete to expand and crack. This is why epoxy floor coatings are so helpful.

4. Then, broadcast chip materials or flakes

Color flakes and paint chips come from an epoxy kit to mix and apply for depth, color, and texture, which is the second coat. Wait at least 12 hours prior to applying the next coat! Maintain a wet edge and remove roller marks as you apply epoxy in a “W” pattern over the base coating.

5. Refine floor coating after the curing period

After we get the flakes spread across the entire floor, we let your concrete floor cure for the proper dwell time. After curing, we scrape and vacuum the floor to remove flakes for a smooth-looking finish!

➡️ See More: Storage Solutions for Your Garage!

6. Lastly, apply a clear coating

Finally, the application is finished when a clear coat is rolled out onto the epoxy floor, effectively sealing the coat. This clear coat is resistant to UV rays and is ideal for indoor or outdoor conditions, and is chemical resistant for convenience! Give at least 12-48 hours for the clear coat to dry, and you’re all done!!

Garage Floor Coating FAQ:

How long does it take for garage floor coating to dry?

Drying time can vary due to seasonal temperature outside, as humid and cool climates tend to prolong the time required. However, epoxy coatings can dry as early as 12 hours after application and can sustain foot traffic, but the rule of thumb is that it’ll finish curing after 1 week, give or take–best to be patient and wait.

Some epoxy floor coatings can come in multiple coats and therefore yield multiple layers of seamless flooring, which may lengthen the time needed to dry and cure. When on new concrete, it must cure for 30 days!

What is epoxy garage floor coating anyway?

Epoxy garage floor coating is a protective and decorative flooring solution commonly used in residential and commercial garages that offers durability and protection. It consists of a two-part epoxy resin system and a hardener. When these two components are mixed together, they chemically react to form a firm, durable, and glossy surface that adheres well to concrete floors.

Epoxy coatings create a tough and long-lasting surface that can withstand heavy traffic, impacts, abrasion, and chemical spills. This makes it ideal for your Leesburg garage floors, which often endure a lot of wear and tear. Most homeowners will use epoxy coatings for their entire floor.

Other Cities Tactical Garages Serves:

• Winchester, VA
• Purcellville, VA
• Ashburn, VA
• Berryville, VA
• Stephens City, VA
• Fredrick, MD

Is epoxy floors the same as floor paint?

While epoxy floors might be similar to paint, there are differences that make it a more viable and long-term solution. For starters, epoxy is more robust and more durable while offering a glossy appearance. Concrete floor paint is better than nothing, but is known to fade, chip, and slowly reside over time. Not to mention, a concrete slab/concrete floor is challenging to paint.

Can I coat my garage floor myself? AKA DIY:

Ideally, you may not want to do it by yourself due to the expertise required to apply epoxy coatings on your concrete floor and choose a high-quality commercial-grade epoxy. An epoxy floor coating requires machinery that can grind and refine your concrete floor to prep beforehand (as seen in step one).

It is recommended to seek professional guidance from local flooring companies in your area to point you in the right direction. Before hiring a company, ask how many coats they’ll apply, what type of epoxy coating they’ll use, as well as their pre-application methods. Asking good questions will save you time and money!

Leesburg Garage Floors:

When it comes to coating your garage floor, it is much simpler than you think, that is, with the right expertise to get the job done. Your garage floor is meant for much more than just a concrete floor, instead, it is intended to be visually appealing and to bring your garage to life for the long run!

Tactical Garages and More is here to help if you live in Leesburg, VA. We are quickly becoming one of the leaders in and around Loudoun County for home and business garage floor/garage solutions. We have you covered from storage systems to cabinets – hence the “And More!”

If you want your garage floor to serve a greater purpose, feel free to call us, and we will come to assess and recommend the best solutions for you. You’re one coat away that’ll exceed your overall satisfaction!