High-end commercial and industrial spaces today demand floors that are both functional and visually striking. Metallic floor coating serves this purpose by using metallic colors along with transparent epoxy resin to produce beautiful and charming textures. Piecemeal from this, metallic bottom coating is largely durable, resistant to wear, and chemically stable, making it an excellent option for showrooms, luxurious services, and artificial parcels where aesthetics are of great concern.
Understanding Epoxy Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating
Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating is an epoxy-based flooring system that blends metallic pigments with transparent resin to create layered, flowing metallic effects. It provides excellent durability, wear resistance, and chemical stability while delivering decorative finishes like mirror-like or marble-like textures.
Types of Epoxy Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating
Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating can be astronomically classified into different types based on factors such as the resin used, the operation process, and the appearance. Grounded on these factors, the metallic bottom coating can be classified as.
(1) Water- Grounded Metallic Epoxy resin Flooring
Water- Grounded Metallic Epoxy resin flooring offers excellent environmental friendliness, low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, and minimal odor, making it an ideal choice for sites dealing with indoor environmental issues. However, these metal primers are somewhat inferior in appearance, with lower gloss levels and metallic luster.
Solvent-borne metallic epoxy resin flooring boasts excellent leveling and adhesion properties, making it an ideal choice for creating visually appealing coatings. However, this type of metallic primer is subject to more stringent construction conditions and has a relatively high content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
(3) Solvent-Free High- End Metallic Epoxy Resin Flooring
The detergent-free system represents the mainstream of high- performance metallic bottom coating. It features 100 solids, ultra-high buff, and superior mechanical parcels, achieving a true glass- suchlike metallic effect while promoting environmental benevolence and continuity.
How to Apply Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating
The standardized process of applying Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating is essential in order to guarantee both functionality and visual appeal. The main process includes:
1. Substrate Preparation
The concrete substrate has to be ground, dusted, and repaired properly to provide a smooth, strong, and oil-free surface. This step has a direct effect on adhesion and lifespan.
2. Primer Application
Apply an epoxy primer to enhance substrate sealing and overall bonding strength, providing a stable base for the metallic layer.
3. Intermediate & Metallic Effect Layer
The metallic pigment has to be mixed with epoxy resin following a proper ratio. Then apply it with trowels, squeegees, or other specialized tools that will guide the flow of pigment particles to create a unique metallic effect. This step is essential in creating visual appeal.
4. Topcoat Protection Layer
The application of a transparent topcoat will enhance scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and lifespan of Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating with additional visual appeal.
Applications of Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating
Due to the various advantages offered by Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating, it has become quite popular. The applications of Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating, along with their advantages, are as follows:
(1) High-End Commercial Spaces
In high-end commercial spaces such as shopping malls, brand stores, and hotel lobbies, Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating offers mirror-like finishes as well as metallic-look floorings. These floorings offer great durability along with resistance to wear and tear and compression.
(2) Showrooms and Exhibition Spaces
Showrooms for cars and other products often require high aesthetic appeal. Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating offers great advantages for showrooms as it adds more glamour to the products being showcased. The glossy finish and natural look of metallic floorings offer great advantages when combined with lighting.
(3) Industrial Facilities and Warehouses
In industrial areas where high compressive strength, scratch resistance, and resistance to oil and chemical exposure are necessary, Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating excels. This floor coating is capable of supporting heavy loads, scratches, and exposure to oil and chemical substances.
Find Your Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating Solution
Among the colorful metallic bottom coating systems, JINCHENG’s decoration metallic epoxy resin bottom coating system is particularly prominent for its defined performance criteria and long- term continuity.
JINCHENG Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating is made of highly transparent solvent-free epoxy resin AB adhesive and features a 100% solid content system. It is non-toxic, eco-friendly, and low in VOCs, making it an ideal choice for scenarios with stringent environmental and safety standards. Meanwhile, we have developed three different topcoats—epoxy resin, waterborne polyurethane resin, and polyaspartic resin acid—based on diverse application scenarios, fully meeting customers’ needs for various environments.
In addition, this Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating system has a fast curing rate, which reduces project duration and labor costs. It is also easy to maintain, making it perfect for projects that require frequent use.
Conclusion
Overall, Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating has become a favored choice for high- end systems due to its combination of high ornamental value and performance. By opting for the right accoutrements and following standardized construction procedures, metallic epoxy resin flooring not only enhances space aesthetics but also meets demands for wear and tear resistance, compressive strength, and chemical resistance.
For druggies seeking long- term stability and decorative visual goods, an easily specified and balanced system like JINCHENG’s Epoxy Metallic Floor Coating is really a result worth considering.
In the field of industrial, commercial and residential floor decoration, both Epoxy floor coatings and Polyaspartic floor coatings occupy an important position. As two types of resin-based coating materials, they both boast excellent protective properties. However, due to differences in their chemical compositions, they exhibit distinct disparities in curing characteristics, environmental adaptability, durability and other aspects. This article will conduct a multi-dimensional comparison, deeply analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each, and provide some references for material selection in different application scenarios.
1.Core Basis: Differences in Chemical Composition
The difference in chemical composition is the root cause of the performance gap between the two materials, which directly determines their subsequent curing mechanisms and core properties:
Epoxy Floor Coating: It is a thermosetting polymer composed of a two-component system of epoxy resin and curing agent as the core components. During construction, the two components must be mixed in a specified ratio, and a chemical reaction occurs between them to form a dense solid coating. The coating has a high-rigidity structure and forms a chemical bond with the substrate.
Polyaspartic Floor Coating: It is a macromolecular compound produced by the reaction of polyaspartic ester resin and HDI trimer. It can form a new type of aliphatic coating with excellent weather resistance, featuring a coating structure with both rigidity and flexibility, and has superior chemical stability.
2、Key performance comparison and analysis of advantages and disadvantages
（1）Curing efficiency and construction cycle: Fast curing vs. long waiting time
Curing time is the most intuitive difference between the two materials, directly affecting construction efficiency and site downtime:
Epoxy Floor Coating: It has a relatively long curing cycle. Under normal ambient conditions, it requires 24–72 hours to fully cure; in some working conditions, it may even take more than 5 days before it can be put into regular service. Low-temperature environments (below 10℃) will significantly slow down the curing rate, and may even cause incomplete curing, which impairs the coating performance. This characteristic means that the site must be closed for an extended period after epoxy coating application, resulting in considerable disruption to production and operational activities.
Advantages: The relatively long gel time provides ample buffer for construction operations, facilitating coating leveling and repair, and is suitable for ensuring flatness during large-area integral construction.Disadvantages: Long construction cycle, high site downtime costs, and poor adaptability to low-temperature construction.
Polyaspartic Floor Coating: It boasts outstanding curing efficiency and is classified as a “fast-curing” material. Under normal ambient conditions, it allows pedestrian access in 4–6 hours and can meet the requirements for vehicle traffic or regular use within 24 hours; some high-performance formulations can even achieve initial service strength in just 1–2 hours. More notably, it has excellent low-temperature adaptability—still capable of curing normally even in environments below 0℃—which greatly extends the construction time window.
Advantages: Short construction cycle, rapid site reoccupation, and significant reduction in downtime costs; strong adaptability to low-temperature construction, free from seasonal restrictions.Disadvantages: The fast-curing characteristic places extremely high technical requirements on construction personnel, with a narrow operation window (usually only tens of minutes). Once mixed, the material must be applied promptly; otherwise, issues such as poor leveling and uneven coating are prone to occur, and errors during construction are difficult to correct.
（2）Durability vs. Environmental Adaptability: Rigid Protection vs. All-Round Endurance
Durability encompasses multiple dimensions such as wear resistance, chemical resistance, UV stability and crack resistance, which directly determines the service life of the coating:
Epoxy Floor Coating: It has good basic durability, with excellent wear resistance and compression resistance. It can withstand the frequent movement and impact of heavy objects, making it suitable for high-intensity application scenarios such as machinery processing and warehousing & logistics. It also has good tolerance to common chemicals including acids, alkalis and oils, which can meet the basic protection needs of industries like chemical engineering and food processing. However, it has obvious shortcomings in special environments: first, its UV stability is poor. Long-term exposure to sunlight tends to cause yellowing, chalking and gloss reduction, so it is more suitable for indoor use. Second, it has insufficient flexibility as a rigid coating. When the concrete substrate develops micro-cracks due to temperature changes or settlement, the coating is prone to cracking accordingly.
Advantages: Stable durability under high-intensity indoor working conditions, with balanced compression and wear resistance; chemical protection covers most conventional scenarios.Disadvantages: Poor UV stability, not suitable for outdoor or strong ultraviolet environments; insufficient flexibility, weak ability to resist substrate cracking.
Polyaspartic Floor Coating: It offers more comprehensive durability and is regarded as an “all-around” protective material. It is comprehensively superior to epoxy coating in terms of wear resistance and chemical resistance, and can resist erosion by harsh media such as gasoline, transmission fluid and brake fluid (only sensitive to extreme strong acids like concentrated sulfuric acid). It has excellent UV stability and will not yellow or fade when exposed to sunlight for a long time, making it perfectly suitable for outdoor scenarios. Meanwhile, it has moderate flexibility, which can adapt to slight expansion, contraction and deformation of the concrete substrate and effectively prevent coating cracking. In addition, it has a wider temperature tolerance range, maintaining stable performance in environments ranging from -30℃ to 140℃, and also has certain fire resistance (able to withstand high temperatures up to 300°F).
Advantages: Balanced durability across all scenarios, with UV stability, chemical resistance and crack resistance all superior to epoxy; strong temperature and fire resistance adaptability, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use; long service life of over 20 years.Disadvantages: There is a limit to the coating thickness, with the normal thickness ranging from 1 to 2 mm. It has higher requirements for the flatness of the substrate surface. If the substrate is uneven, it is difficult to compensate for the defect by adjusting the coating thickness.
（3）Aesthetics and Maintenance Cost: Diverse Decoration vs. Long-Term Convenience
Epoxy floor coating: Offer a wide range of decorative options, allowing for various construction schemes with different aggregates and substrates, such as epoxy metallic flooring and epoxy colored sand flooring. Suitable for aesthetically pleasing settings like commercial showrooms, kindergartens, and indoor playgrounds. However, maintenance costs are high, gloss levels decrease significantly over time, and damaged coatings are difficult to repair after curing, often requiring partial or complete reapplication.
Advantages: Flexible and diverse decorative options, meeting personalized design needs; Disadvantages: Prone to gloss loss over time, high repair costs, and higher maintenance frequency than polyaspartic acid ester coatings.
Polyaspartic floor coating: High and durable surface gloss, presenting a uniform mirror effect, high color saturation, and resistant to fading; the dense and smooth coating surface does not easily attract dirt, making cleaning and maintenance simple, requiring only regular wiping, resulting in extremely low long-term maintenance costs. However, the degree of decorative customization is lower than epoxy coatings, with relatively limited options for special patterns and textures.
Advantages: Long-lasting gloss, easy cleaning and maintenance, and low long-term operating costs; Disadvantages: Fewer decorative customization options, making it difficult to meet complex aesthetic design needs.
（4）Construction Requirements & Environmental Friendliness: High Fault Tolerance vs. Green & High Efficiency
Epoxy Floor Coating：It has strict requirements for the construction environment. The ambient temperature (10-35℃) and humidity (below 85%) must be controlled; otherwise, problems such as reduced adhesion and blistering are likely to occur. It also imposes extremely high standards for substrate pretreatment: the substrate must be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Any oil stains or moisture remaining on it will cause coating peeling.
In terms of environmental friendliness, traditional solvent-based epoxy coatings have a relatively high VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) content, emitting a noticeable odor during construction, which requires adequate ventilation. Although water-based epoxy coatings have improved this issue, their performance is slightly inferior to that of solvent-based alternatives.
Advantages: High construction fault tolerance and a long operation window, making them suitable for construction teams with moderate experience.
Disadvantages: Strict control of construction environment and complicated substrate pretreatment.
Polyaspartic Floor Coating：It has loose requirements for the construction environment. There is no need for strict humidity control, and it can even be applied in low-temperature conditions. Substrate pretreatment is relatively simple, yet due to its fast curing speed, it has higher requirements for the flatness of the substrate surface.
It boasts remarkable environmental advantages: most products adopt high-solid or zero-VOC formulations, emitting minimal odor during construction and causing little impact on human health and the environment. Thus, it is ideal for scenarios with stringent environmental requirements such as schools and hospitals.
Advantages: Wide adaptability to construction environments, excellent environmental friendliness, and low odor.
Disadvantages: Extremely high technical requirements for construction personnel, low operation fault tolerance, and strict requirements for substrate flatness.
（5）Cost Comparison: Economical Initial Investment vs. Cost-Effective in the Long Run
Epoxy Floor Coatings
It features a lower initial cost, with both material unit price and construction fees being cheaper than those of polyaspartic coatings, making it ideal for projects with limited budgets. However, due to its relatively shorter service life (usually around 10 years) and high maintenance costs, it does not hold an advantage in terms of long-term overall costs.
Polyaspartic Floor Coatings
It comes with a higher initial cost: the material unit price is about 1.5–2 times that of epoxy coatings, and the construction fees are also more expensive because of its high technical requirements. Nevertheless, benefiting from its longer service life (15–20 years) and extremely low maintenance costs, it gains a more distinct advantage in long-term overall costs instead.
3、Precise matching of applicable scenarios
Epoxy floor coatings: More suitable for indoor settings, especially for: 1. Indoor industrial plants, underground garages, and warehousing and logistics centers with limited budgets; 2. Commercial showrooms, playgrounds, laboratories, kindergartens, etc., where high color and decorative requirements are needed; 3. Indoor office areas or hospital corridors with relatively stable substrates and no strong ultraviolet radiation.
Polyaspartic floor coatings: Suitable for indoor and outdoor settings with high requirements for efficiency and durability, especially for: 1. Commercial complexes, supermarkets, and manufacturing workshops requiring rapid completion and reduced downtime; 2. Outdoor parking lots, terraces, stadium stands, and other scenarios with strong ultraviolet exposure; 3. Low-temperature environments (such as cold storage) or schools, hospitals, and food processing plants with high environmental protection requirements; 4. Chemical workshops and auto repair shops with frequent contact with chemical media.
4、Summary: How to choose?
Epoxy and Polyaspartic floor coatings are not a matter of “which is better or worse,” but rather “compatibility.” The key to choosing between them lies in balancing project needs, budget, and long-term costs: If the budget is limited, the focus is on interior aesthetics, the construction team’s skills are average, and the site can be closed for extended periods, Epoxy floor coatings are a more economical choice. If the priority is quick application, long-term durability (especially outdoors or in harsh environments), low maintenance costs, and a sufficient budget, Polyaspartic floor coatings offer greater long-term value.
Furthermore, jincheng Resin offers a composite solution of “epoxy + polyaspartic ester”: using epoxy coating as a primer/intermediate coat to provide rigid protection and thickness support, and polyaspartic ester coating as a topcoat to provide UV protection and a wear-resistant surface, balancing cost and performance, suitable for transitional indoor/outdoor scenarios where high durability is required.
Polyurea floor coating is a high-performance protective floor system made from polyurea resin. Its core components consist of an isocyanate component (Component A) and an amino compound component (Component R). It is specifically designed to create a seamless, durable, and fast-curing coating on the surface of concrete and other substrates.
Service Life of Polyurea Floor Coating
The service life of polyurea floor coating is not a fixed value; it is affected by various factors such as the application scenario and construction quality. However, overall, it has excellent durability and can last for 10-30 years under normal usage conditions. This service life far exceeds that of traditional floor coating materials like epoxy resin (usually only 3-10 years). The specific service life is mainly influenced by the following four core factors:
1. Application Scenario
Different usage environments have a significant impact on the service life of polyurea floor coating. In relatively mild environments such as commercial halls, residential garages, and office areas with low foot traffic and no heavy-load pressure, its service life can easily reach 20-30 years. On the contrary, in harsh environments subjected to heavy loads, frequent mechanical impacts, or long-term exposure to special media, the service life will be shortened accordingly. For example, in industrial workshops where forklifts frequently roll over, the service life is usually 15-25 years; in environments with long-term water immersion such as water parks and swimming pools, affected by the water medium, the service life is approximately 10-20 years. In addition, outdoor floors exposed to ultraviolet rays for a long time may experience slight yellowing, but this generally does not affect the structural integrity of the coating, and the service life can still reach 15-20 years. If aliphatic polyurea with better weather resistance is used, the outdoor service life can be further extended.
2. Construction Quality
Construction quality is a key factor determining whether polyurea floor coating can achieve its intended service life. The standard construction process includes thorough treatment of the base surface (cleaning, leveling, and grinding), accurate proportioning of polyurea materials, and uniform spraying using professional high-temperature and high-pressure equipment. If defects such as missing coating, uneven thickness, or inadequate base surface treatment occur during construction, the coating is prone to problems such as blistering, cracking, and peeling in later use, and the service life will be significantly shortened to less than 10 years. On the contrary, high-quality construction that strictly adheres to specifications can ensure a tight bond between the coating and the base surface, allowing the service life to reach the upper limit of the material’s performance.
3. Material Quality
The quality of polyurea raw materials directly affects the durability of the coating. High-quality polyurea materials have a stable molecular structure, excellent physical properties (such as high tensile strength, good flexibility, and strong wear resistance), and can maintain stable performance in extreme temperature environments (-40℃ to 150℃). In contrast, inferior polyurea materials with impure components and incorrect proportions have poor wear resistance and corrosion resistance, and their service life may only be 5-10 years. Jingsheng Polyurea Floor Coating uses the highest-quality polyurea raw materials and the most advanced formulas. Compared with ordinary polyurea coatings, it has better adhesion and weather resistance, and its service life can usually be extended by 5-10 years under the same conditions.
4. Daily Maintenance
Scientific daily maintenance can effectively extend the service life of polyurea floor coating. The maintenance advantage of polyurea coating lies in its simplicity of operation—usually, only regular cleaning (such as wiping with a damp cloth or high-pressure water washing) is required to avoid the accumulation of oil stains, chemicals, and sharp debris. If the floor is accidentally scratched or partially damaged, timely repair (such as spraying additional polyurea material) can prevent the damage from expanding. On the contrary, long-term neglect of maintenance, such as allowing sharp objects to scratch the coating and allowing strong acids and alkalis (pH ≤ 1) to remain on the surface for a long time, will accelerate the aging and degradation of the coating and shorten its service life.
Summary
In conclusion, the service life of polyurea floor coating ranges from 10 to 30 years. To ensure its long-term use, three factors need to be comprehensively considered: selecting high-quality materials, entrusting professional teams to carry out standardized construction, and conducting daily maintenance in accordance with the application scenario. Compared with traditional floor materials, polyurea floor coating has a significant advantage in durability, and its ultra-long service life is sufficient to offset the relatively high initial investment cost, demonstrating excellent long-term economic benefits.
Epoxy floor coating boast excellent wear resistance, pressure resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance. They are easy to clean and maintain, highly decorative, and feature strong adhesion, with a low overall cost. Additionally, they can be extended to have special functions such as anti-static and anti-slip properties. As a result, they are widely favored in the floor coating industry and are mostly applied in scenarios like industrial workshops, commercial spaces, and underground parking garages.
The construction quality directly determines the performance and service life of epoxy floor coatings. Therefore, proper construction is extremely crucial. Jincheng Resin will share some correct construction steps with you, hoping to provide some help for your projects.
1.Before-construction Preparation: Lay a Solid Foundation for the Base Surface
（1）Base Surface Inspection and Evaluation
The condition of the base surface is the core factor determining the adhesion of epoxy floor coatings. Of course, different application scenarios have different requirements. Jincheng Resin can only provide some references, and professional evaluation and testing are required on your side.
Strength Requirements
The strength of the base surface is of great importance. Insufficient base strength can lead to cracking, peeling and other defects of the epoxy floor coating. The base layer can be likened to the bones of a human body: if the bones are fragile, the body cannot withstand heavy pressure. The base layer of epoxy floor paint must have sufficient compressive strength. For example, in industrial scenarios where heavy vehicles or equipment frequently move and park, the base layer requires a higher compressive strength (the compressive strength of the concrete base layer shall be ≥ C20; for heavy-duty areas such as workshops and garages, it shall be ≥ C25).
Flatness Requirements
The flatness of the base surface is similar to building blocks: if the bottom blocks are crooked, it will be difficult to build a stable structure with the upper blocks, and the same principle applies to the construction of epoxy floors. The following are the common reference requirements for the base surface: tested with a 2m straightedge, the gap shall be ≤ 3mm, and ≤ 2mm for heavy-duty areas; the slope of drainage areas shall be ≥ 1.5% to avoid water accumulation. Areas with excessive height differences shall be marked and repaired later.
Dryness Requirements
Excessive moisture in the base layer is like a damp box, which can cause mold growth on the epoxy floor coating. When the humidity is too high, the epoxy floor coating is prone to pinholes and delamination. The moisture content of the construction base surface for solvent-based epoxy floor paint shall be ≤ 6%, and this requirement can be relaxed to ≤ 8% for water-based epoxy. The moisture content can be tested with a moisture meter, or by covering the base surface with a plastic film for 24 hours—if no condensation droplets form, the base surface is deemed qualified.
Cleanliness Requirements
The base surface must be kept clean and tidy. Oil stains, dust, loose particles, laitance and other contaminants will hinder the bonding between the epoxy floor coating and the base surface, reducing adhesion. Oil stains can be wiped with acetone or a special cleaning agent first; laitance and loose particles can be removed by grinding with a floor grinder, followed by rinsing with clean water and drying; dust shall be completely cleaned up.
（2）Materials and equipment
Material Preparation and Inspection
Epoxy floor coatings come in many different types, such as metallic epoxy flooring, rock chip flooring, and colored sand flooring. Prepare epoxy primer, intermediate coat, topcoat, hardener, and other corresponding materials according to different needs. Materials should be stored in a ventilated, dry, and cool place. The construction temperature should be controlled between 5-35℃ (temperature affects the curing time of the epoxy floor coating). Keep away from fire and oxidizers, and avoid direct sunlight. Before use, check the expiration date of the materials and confirm that there is no clumping, sedimentation, or separation. It is best to conduct a small-scale test application to verify performance before construction. The thinner must be used in conjunction with the epoxy coating; mixing with non-specified thinners is strictly prohibited.
Equipment and Personnel Configuration
Core construction equipment includes: grinder, angle grinder, mixer, airless sprayer, wool roller, trowel, scraper, 2m straightedge, moisture content meter, dry film thickness gauge, etc. Check the equipment’s performance in advance.
Safety protection equipment must be fully equipped: gas masks, protective goggles, non-slip gloves, spiked shoes, paint-resistant work clothes, and fire-fighting equipment, placed in easily accessible locations. Construction personnel must undergo professional training, be familiar with the process and safety regulations, and hold valid certificates to work. The responsibilities of the technical supervisor, construction worker, and safety officer must be clearly defined.
Environmental Condition Control During construction and curing, the ambient temperature must be controlled between 10-30℃: below 5℃, epoxy resin cures slowly, requiring the addition of a winter-grade curing agent; above 35℃, direct sunlight must be avoided to prevent rapid surface drying and blistering of the coating. Air humidity ≤75% (water-based epoxy ≤85%), anGrinding the Base Surface
Grind the entire base surface with a floor grinder to remove surface laitance and loose layers, exposing the fresh concrete base. The surface should be roughened to a roughness of Ra 0.3–0.5 μm to enhance coating adhesion. For hard-to-reach areas such as edges and wall corners, use an angle grinder or manual sandpaper for grinding to ensure no spot is missed.
（3）Repair of Uneven Base Surfaces
Potholes/Depressions
Fill them with epoxy mortar (epoxy resin + curing agent + quartz sand) and screed flat with a trowel. For repairs with a thickness of >5 mm, apply the mortar in layers, allowing each layer to dry for 24 hours before applying the next one.
Cracks
For fine cracks with a width of <0.5 mm: Fill them with elastic epoxy putty.
For cracks with a width of ≥0.5 mm: Widen the cracks into V-shaped grooves, clear the dust, fill with epoxy mortar, and grind to a smooth finish.
Hollow Areas
Chisel out the hollow layer until reaching the solid base layer. After cleaning the dust, apply a primer, then repair the area with epoxy mortar to make it flush with the surrounding base surface.
Cleaning and Dust Removal
After grinding and repair, first remove floating dust by high-pressure air blowing, then perform a thorough cleaning with an industrial vacuum cleaner. Ensure no dust or particles remain on the base surface to prevent any adverse impact on coating adhesion.d the substrate temperature must be at least 3℃ above the dew point; in high-humidity environments, a dehumidifier must be used for regulation. Good ventilation must be maintained during solvent-based epoxy construction.
2、Core construction procedures: Standardized operating procedures
（1）Surface preparation: The most important step, directly determining the success or failure of the construction.
Grinding the Base Surface
Grind the entire base surface with a floor grinder to remove surface laitance and loose layers, exposing the fresh concrete base. The surface should be roughened to a roughness of Ra 0.3–0.5 μm to enhance coating adhesion. For hard-to-reach areas such as edges and wall corners, use an angle grinder or manual sandpaper for grinding to ensure no spot is missed.
Potholes/Depressions
Fill them with epoxy mortar (epoxy resin + curing agent + quartz sand) and screed flat with a trowel. For repairs with a thickness of >5 mm, apply the mortar in layers, allowing each layer to dry for 24 hours before applying the next one.
Cracks
For fine cracks with a width of <0.5 mm: Fill them with elastic epoxy putty.
For cracks with a width of ≥0.5 mm: Widen the cracks into V-shaped grooves, clear the dust, fill with epoxy mortar, and grind to a smooth finish.
Hollow Areas
Chisel out the hollow layer until reaching the solid base layer. After cleaning the dust, apply a primer, then repair the area with epoxy mortar to make it flush with the surrounding base surface.
Cleaning and Dust Removal
After grinding and repair, first remove floating dust by high-pressure air blowing, then perform a thorough cleaning with an industrial vacuum cleaner. Ensure no dust or particles remain on the base surface to prevent any adverse impact on coating adhesion.
（2）Primer Application: Seal the Base Surface and Enhance Adhesion
Material Mixing Ratio
Strictly mix the epoxy primer and curing agent in the proportion specified in the product manual, and weigh the components with an electronic scale (error ≤ 1%). This is to avoid coating softening caused by insufficient curing agent or increased brittleness caused by excessive curing agent. Stir the mixture at low speed with an electric mixer for 3–5 minutes to ensure it is uniform, free of particles and color differences.
Application
Adopt the roller coating or airless spraying method, with the coating thickness controlled at 0.1–0.2 mm. The mixed primer must be applied within 30 minutes.
Drying and Curing
In an environment with a temperature of 20℃ and humidity ≤ 75%, the surface drying time is about 2–4 hours, and the hard drying time is 24 hours. When the temperature is below 10℃, the drying time shall be extended to 72 hours. The coating must be tested with a dry film thickness gauge; only when the coating hardness reaches pencil hardness H or above and there are no wrinkles or pinholes can the next construction process be carried out. Close the construction area during the drying period and set up warning signs to prevent personnel trampling and dust contamination.
（3）Intermediate Coat Application: Fill Pores and Ensure Flatness and Wear Resistance
Material Preparation
Mix the epoxy intermediate coat and curing agent in the ratio specified in the product manual, and stir thoroughly. Test the viscosity with a viscosity cup: if it is too thin, sagging may occur; if it is too thick, application will be difficult. Use up the mixture within 30 minutes after blending.
Application and Grinding
The designed total thickness of the intermediate coat is 0.5–1.0 mm, which should be applied in two coats with an interval of 4–6 hours between coats.
Apply the first coat evenly with a trowel or scraper to fill the pores of the primer.
Smooth the second coat with a power trowel, and monitor the thickness in real time with a thickness gauge, ensuring the margin of error is ≤ ±0.1 mm.If the thickness is insufficient, apply an additional coat; if it is too thick, grind the surface to make it smooth.
Curing and Acceptance
The curing time is approximately 24 hours. Keep the environment well-ventilated to prevent the accumulation of solvent vapors.The surface can be prepared for topcoat application only when the Shore hardness (Type D) reaches ≥ 45 and the surface is smooth without particles.If blisters or cracks appear, check the moisture content of the base surface or potential material defects, and reprocess the surface before conducting further application.
（4）Topcoat Application: Deliver the desired appearance and ensure the final performance
Preliminary Preparation
Prior to topcoat application, lightly abrade the surface of the intermediate coat with fine sandpaper to remove surface impurities and gloss, thereby enhancing interlayer adhesion. Subsequently, thoroughly clean away the dust with a vacuum cleaner.
Material Mixing and Application
Mix the topcoat and curing agent in the ratio specified in the product manual and stir thoroughly. Select either airless spraying or roller coating according to requirements:
Airless SprayingSet the spray gun pressure to 20–25 MPa and use a nozzle with a diameter of 1.2–1.5 mm. Maintain a moving speed of 40–50 cm/min and control the coating thickness at 0.1–0.3 mm. Overlap each coating pass by 50% and execute the application from the inner area to the outer perimeter.
Roller CoatingDip a short-pile roller into a small amount of topcoat, apply with light pressure and slow strokes to avoid air bubbles, and ensure uniform coverage of the base surface.
Application Requirements
The topcoat is typically applied in two coats with an interval of 2 hours between each coat. The total thickness of a standard epoxy topcoat shall be ≥ 0.5 mm (the topcoat thickness can be adjusted based on specific application scenarios).Conduct the application in an environment with a temperature of 15–30℃ and relative humidity ≤ 80%. Avoid construction on rainy days, under high-temperature exposure or in high-humidity conditions to prevent coating defects such as blushing, orange peel or pitting.During application, inspect the leveling property in real time. If any defects are found, immediately touch them up by gently wiping with a dedicated solvent.
3、Precautions
Post-application Curing
No foot traffic is allowed on the coated surface within 24 hours after topcoat application, and the surface can only bear loads after complete curing in 7 days. During the curing period, the construction area shall be closed off and warning signs shall be posted to prevent the coating from coming into contact with water, oil and chemical substances.
Maintain a well-ventilated curing environment with the temperature controlled between 10–35℃. After 48 hours, the stain resistance can be tested by gently wiping the surface with a damp cloth; avoid scratching with hard objects.
The recoating interval shall be strictly followed in accordance with the material instructions. Ensure that the subsequent coating is applied after the previous coat is surface-dry but before it is completely dry, so as to prevent the reduction of interlayer adhesion.
Safety and Environmental Requirements
During the application of solvent-based epoxy materials, adequate ventilation must be maintained at all times. Construction personnel shall wear a full set of protective equipment (including gas masks, gloves, goggles, etc.). Smoking and open flames are strictly prohibited in the construction area.
Material wastes (such as discarded paint buckets and solvent-soaked rags) shall be treated as hazardous waste and disposed of by professional institutions; random disposal is strictly forbidden.
In case of sudden conditions such as rain or temperature drop during construction, stop the operation immediately. Cover the coated areas with plastic sheeting for protection, and pay special attention to moisture-proofing of the solvent-based epoxy coatings.
Summary: The core of epoxy floor coating construction lies in attention to details. From base surface preparation and material proportioning, to process operation and post-application curing, every step must strictly comply with construction standards and product specifications. It is recommended to select professional floor coating suppliers and construction teams, which can maximize construction quality and extend the service life of the floor.
