Surface Preparation for Coating a Floor or Repairing a Crack
A major contributor to the success of a floor coating or crack repair project is the surface preparation. It is important that the concrete surface be free of any lubricants, dust, grime, paint, or any other materials, that may affect the coating ability to adhere to the concrete.
In several cases, the concrete may be stained with a chemical or other chemical. In this instance, it is important to spend additional time ensuring that the contaminates are removed, even though the concrete may remain stained.
Surface Preparation Method #1
Step 1: Power wash, with water and a strong detergent, (i.e., industrial grade soap, Spic & Span, Tide detergent), the concrete surface to be coated and all cracks to be repaired.
Step 2: After power washing or rinsing the surface with clean water, use muriatic acid to etch the concrete (or Clean & Etch from EpoSeal) at full strength on the surface to be coated. A mop may be used to spread the muriatic acid. Allow the acid to work for 10 minutes (it will "bubble" when working). Clean & Etch from EpoSeal. should be used on floors that are heavily contaminated. Using a stiff push broom or brush, scrub the area making sure to remove all contaminates on the concrete surface and clean any cracks that are present. When this is complete, power wash or rinse the area with water. If some areas still appear to be contaminated, repeat this step on those areas.
Step 3: Once the area has been power washed or rinsed with clean water, mix at a ratio of 5 gallons of water to 1 pint of 28% aqua ammonia (which may be ordered from EpoSeal). Once the material is mixed, pour the solution over the cleaned concrete. Using a mop, move the solution around for 5 minutes and let stand for approximately 15-20 minutes. This will neutralize the concrete from the acid material used in step 2.
Step 4: Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water and vacuum up or squeegee off all excess water. (It may be necessary to blow out the cracks with an air compressor).
Step 5: Allow the area to dry completely before applying the coating or repairing any cracks.
Surface Preparation Method #2
Step 1: Sandblast the area to be coated, making sure to remove all contaminates from the concrete surface and clean any cracks that are present. Depending on how contaminated the concrete is, it may be a good idea to power wash the area before sandblasting using a strong detergent.
Step 2: Once sandblasting is complete, sweep or rinse the area with water making sure to remove any sand particles remaining on the area to be coated. If, after sand blasting, the concrete remains stained, repeat sand blasting operation. Acid etch and neutralize as mentioned in method #1 if necessary.
Step 3: Allow the area to dry completely before applying the coating or repairing any cracks.
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