Step #1: Prep Your Space

How do you prep your garage floor for an epoxy paint? Creating a clean, tidy workspace is key. Step one for garage floor preparation before painting is to remove all items from your floor. Be sure to sweep the area just outside of your garage to prevent leaves and other debris from getting in while you’re working.

Consider weather when it comes to painting your garage floor: a warm, dry day is ideal for best results. The optimum climate is less than 70 percent humidity and no lower than 50 degrees.

Step #2: Clean Your Garage Floor

With everything off your garage floor, let’s look at how to clean your garage floor before painting. Start by sweeping and mopping the floor. Remove any grease stains by scrubbing with Corotech^® Oil & Grease Emulsifier. Rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water and allow it to dry completely.

• If you’re using Corotech^® Oil & Grease Emulsifier to clean your floor, be sure to mix the concentrate with water before applying. Read all product instructions before use.

Step #3: Mix the Epoxy Primer

You should always prime your garage floor before you epoxy, as primer provides a solid foundation for your top coat. To prime your garage floor with Corotech^® Moisture Tolerant Quick Set Epoxy Sealer, you’ll need to first mix the primer’s two components together. Pour Part B into Part A and use a drill mixer on a low setting for three to five minutes until completely blended. See the product’s Technical Data Sheet for detailed instructions.

• Make sure the mixture is incorporated fully after first mixing by pouring the mixed material into another bucket and mixing again.

Step #4: Apply the Epoxy Primer

Once your epoxy primer is fully mixed, pour it onto your garage floor in a ribbon. Using a paintbrush, cut in the borders of your floor by applying the primer to the floor around the edges of the garage.

Switch to a squeegee or a roller to spread the primer onto the rest of the floor, working toward the exit of the garage so you don’t paint yourself in. Allow the primer to dry completely.

• If you’re wondering how long to let your garage floor dry before you paint, Corotech^® Moisture Tolerant Quick Set Epoxy Sealer has about a 4-hour dry time—depending on your environment. You should be working on a day that is below 70 percent humidity. If not, it could take up to 7 hours to dry completely.
• You’ll know that the primer is dry because it will change from a milky white-yellow color to clear.

Step #5: Mix the Top Coat

Mix your top coat according to the instructions on the can or the product’s Technical Data Sheet. When it comes to choosing your top coat:

• Note that a lower sheen finish will be less slippery than a higher-sheen finish.
• For a duller finish, go with INSL-X^® Garage Guard^® Semi-Gloss Waterborne Epoxy
• For a higher sheen finish, consider Corotech^® Waterborne Gloss Amine Epoxy

Step #6: Apply the Top Coat

Just as you did with the epoxy primer, pour your top coat mixture down in a ribbon on the garage floor. Use a paintbrush to cut in your edges, and a roller to spread the epoxy throughout the rest of the floor. Remember to paint toward the exit of the garage.

Step #7: Add Optional Anti-Slip Aggregate and/or Garage Floor Flakes

Once you’ve applied your top coat, consider adding Corotech^® Anti-Slip Aggregate, which creates a rough finish designed to elevate the foot or wheel on a damp or wet surface to help avoid slippage and hydroplaning.

• Be exact about the quantity of anti-slip aggregate you use, as too much of it may make the floor hard to clean. Read all product instructions for recommended quantities and application.

• Throw the garage floor flakes upward toward the ceiling as opposed to down on the floor for a more even distribution.

Step #8: Allow Your Garage Floor to Dry Completely

Allow 24 to 48 hours before you start returning items to the garage, and do so carefully. Make sure not to drag items back in place on your freshly painted garage floor. Wait seven to 10 days for your garage floor to fully cure before you drive on it.