MACOMP TWP. MICHIGAN: Costas Gogos of Imperial Painting Inc., painters in Macomb Michigan, says that more and more people are opting for a durable floor covering in their garages, basements, and workshops. This flooring is epoxy paint which, according to Gogos, is extremely hard and very durable, able to withstand tire marks, oil spills, and grease. It also helps to reduce moisture evaporation in these areas, since it seals the surface of the concrete.

“When you mix the two-part epoxy”, says Gogos, “you’ve got about 2 hours to get it down. Then, it sets up like concrete.” Gogos says that the prep work is extremely important when choosing epoxy paint for flooring. Since the epoxy is often applied to garage floors, it is important to remove all grease and oil stains. Once this is done, the slab need to be thoroughly cleaned. According to Gogos, There are 3 ways to prepare the slab for epoxy. One method is shot blasting, in which a high pressure stream of abrasive is blasted onto the surface of the floor. This removes any ground in dirt and stains. It also slightly roughens the slab, so that the epoxy has “tooth” to which it can adhere. The slab is then swept and vacuumed to remove the debris, and is ready for epoxy.

Another way to prepare the slab is through acid etching. In this process, muriatic acid is applied to the slab to etch all chemicals and debris from the surface of the slab, and to leave a “tooth” to the surface. The acid is then washed off, usually vacuumed up and disposed of. At this point, the slab can be painted.

The third way to prepare a slab for epoxy covering is fairly new. It is the application of primer. Gogos says the primer serves as a binding agent between the concrete and the epoxy, creating a solid finish. The advantage of using primer is that the floor treatment can all be done in one day. This is especially useful in basements and workshops, where the presence of oil and grease is not as likely. In garage floor applications, the floor will still need to be degreased before primer is applied. The primer is also less messy, which makes it great for use in basements.

APPLYING THE EPOXY

The concrete slab is now ready for the 2-part epoxy. In this process, the ** will add colorant to a binding agent. Both ingredients contain chemicals that, when combined, immediately begin to harden. The thick, viscous epoxy mix is then applied to the slab with low-nap rollers. The slab may or may not require two coats of epoxy. Gogos says that once they mix the epoxy, they have about 2 hours to apply it to the floor before it starts getting too thick to use. For this reason, they will often mix it in small batches. In the chemical reaction, the epoxy begins to harden to the point where, according to Gogos, the mixture “sets up like a rock” in the paint can.

Gogos says the epoxy comes in a selection of colors. Some of his customers request the addition of colored flakes to the epoxy. These are sprinkled on the surface of the wet epoxy, binding to the surface. They provide a little texture to the surface, which is nice when you walk in from the snow. Other customers request that a clear coat be applied over the top, too, but it’s not necessary. You can also have silicone sand sprinkled over it for further traction.

Costas Gogos does house painting in Macomb Michigan, and services Macomb, Utica, Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, and the surrounding area. You can contact Gogos with Imperial Painting at 586-412-9040 for more information on epoxy flooring, and for other information about painting.

Company Name: IMPERIAL PAINTING INC.
Contact Name: Costas Gogos
Company Address: 45780 Delta Dr.Macomb Twp., MI 48044
Contact Phone: 586-412-9040
Contact Email: [email protected]
Website: http://imperialpaintinginc.com/