The Importance of Timing in Concrete Coatings for Garage Floors

Like many things in life, timing plays an important role in a garage floor coatings project. It’s not just important to determine when you want to install the coatings – there are timing items to consider BEFORE, DURING and AFTER the garage floor receives the new coatings.

Before the garage coatings installation

1. Know when you want the garage floor coatings installed and get quotes at least 6 weeks before.
   1. Professional installation companies have a backlog of work like all other trades. Depending on time of year, this backlog may be 2 to 8 weeks out.   Plan accordingly.
   2. Remember - no reputable, experienced contractors should normally have time open the same or following week.
2. Use the time before coatings installation to clean out garage.
   1. Take some time to get rid of or donate unwanted items.
   2. You may even want to add some wall or ceiling mounted organization.
3. Plan time for removal of large items, as you may need to enlist some assistance with the removal.
4. Use up the stuff in the garage refrigerator and freezer – that way these appliances do not require power during the installation, while sitting outside (or an alternate location).
5. Don’t waste time with DIY kits. Have it done right the first time so it doesn’t have to be redone or replaced every year or couple years.

During the garage coatings install

1. For the professional installers, they understand the time for repair materials to cure.
   1. Some materials may be coated over before they have fully hardened.
   2. Other materials require full cure and mechanical abrasion before coatings are applied over them.
2. There is a proper amount of time for each layer to cure.
   1. If another layer is to be applied, it must occur within the proper time window for inter-coat adhesion.
   2. If this inter-coat adhesion time window is exceeded, most coatings require either some level of mechanical abrasion or “opening” with a strong solvent.
3. While professional installers often make it seem easy or quick, it takes the proper amount of time to complete the process – whether preparing the surface or applying the coatings.
   1. Some actions require the installers to move rather quickly and methodically – such as applying polyaspartic coatings which have a short application window.
   2. Proper surface preparation requires not only the time to grind the floor, but also time to clean up excessive dust before applying coatings.  
   3. If it takes them more than a day to prepare a normal, undamaged 2 or 3 car garage, you are not working with professionals.
   4. If they are acid etching and waiting for it to dry, you are not working with professionals.
4. Great news - this project does NOT require a long enough time for you to get tired of the coatings installers (contractors)!

After the floor coatings are installed

1. There is a Return To Service time for walking and wheeled traffic. Be sure to adhere to these so that you do not damage your new coatings.
2. The return to service time typically does not match the time the coatings require to reach full chemical resistance.   Before exposure to any strong or harsh chemicals (including solvents), be sure to give the coatings at least 72 hours after installation.
3. With polyaspartic coatings, it will take some time to air-out the garage.   Due to the chemical makeup of polyaspartics, they all smell to some extent.
4. Even after full curing, all coatings have a time limit that strong chemicals can sit on coating before damaging them.
   1. Gasoline or other liquids that evaporate quickly often will not damage a professionally installed, polyaspartic top coating.
   2. A slow, steady drip of gasoline or other strong solvent may stay damp or puddle on coatings and damage them (even polyaspartic top layers).