THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU PAINT:

If you sometimes see tiny crystals or white powder on your floor, this is moisture migrating through the concrete, which will often cause peel up of any kind of coating you apply. PERFORM A MOISTURE TEST: put a rubber mat on the floor or tape down a 3 by 3 ft (or so) sheet of plastic). Wait overnight. If water collects between it and the floor there is a moisture problem and any floor paint will probably not cure/dry properly. If the Water Test fails, please contact us regarding further options.

If your concrete has been treated with some sort of cement sealer no paint will stick to it. PERFORM THE SEALER TEST: pour water on the cement. It should soak into the cement in a reasonable time. If it beads up or just sits there for a long time, the concrete has been sealed or is grease or oil contaminated. The Etch N' Clean solution will dissolve oil and grease stains but will not cut through a sealer.

APPLICATION TIPS:

BASECOAT: Be sure to apply the basecoat material at 200-250 square feet per gallon. If the floor is damp, the air musty, etc. the epoxy floor paints will probably not bond very well, wait until conditions are appropriate.

CHIPS: Be sure to have enough chips to do entire surface. Calculate 1 bag per 250 square feet (or the size of a single car bay) for light sprinkle, 2 bags per 250 square feet if you are doing a medium sprinkle, etc. That way you will get a more uniform coverage. Throw chips upward not downward (almost like you are shooting a basketball). A second person may apply chips in conjunction with the first person rolling the basecoat.

CLEARCOAT: Since the Clearcoat epoxy does not have to soak into anything, it will stretch much further. Even applying a nice even coat you can get over 300 square feet per gallon. When applying Crystal clear topcoat, walk on previously applied chip⁄basecoat with clean shoes or socks only, any dirt or debris tracked on to chip⁄basecoat will be sealed in by application of clear topcoat. High humidity and outside rainfall could lengthen cure times, leaving hazy white spots until the clearcoat can cure properly over time.

TEMPERATURES: Do not apply this product when temperature is below 50 degrees fahrenheit. Do not use a heater⁄space heater to speed up the curing⁄drying times. The large amounts of carbon dioxide emitted by heaters can cause a disruption in the curing process and create yellowing. Applying this product in cold climates (when surface is between 50 degrees and 60 degrees) will not affect the protective properties, it will double your drying⁄curing times.

INDUCTION:(induction time letting the mixed material stand prior to application) Allow the mixed material to stand 45 minutes at temperatures below 70°F (21°C) before use. Above 70°F (21°C) allow 30 minutes induction time. Always restir before use. REMEMBER: Mixed material is ONLY usable for six to eight hours.

COATING A PREVIOUSLY PAINTED SURFACE: The waterborne components of this product generally allow use over most old coatings. Old coatings should be tested for lifting. If they lift, remove them. Wash to remove contaminants. Rinse thoroughly with water and allow to dry. Dull glossy areas by light sanding. Remove sanding dust. Remove loose paint. A good way to test for lifting and prep your surface for another coating is to sand the entire floor (pole sanding works well), rinse away debris, allow to dry, then recoat. The entire surface should resemble 100 grit sand paper (or more coarse), so the new epoxy coating will adhere properly. The etch n' clean solution is not necessary when coating overtop a previously painted surface.

If the floor is painted and the paint is peeling off at an excellerated rate, most likely any epoxy you apply will also peel off. Grinding the existing paint off with a floor grinder/diamond griner/scarifier is recommended. (Floor grinders can be rented)

APPLYING ON WOOD: You will need two coats of basecoat epoxy when coating wood. Prime the surface with basecoat epoxy reduced one-half pint per gallon with water. (this thinned coat will soak into the wood thus creating a bonding agent for your second-layer of basecoat.) Then you would apply your actual basecoat and chips , followed by the clearcoat as normal. Note: You wouldn't need the etch n' clean for coating a wood surface, just a double basecoat.