Resins provide excellent protection of the floor against mechanical and chemical loads, and create easily washable and aesthetic coatings. They are resistant to a number of substances, such as: fresh water, sea water, alkalis, petroleum derivatives, industrial atmosphere, as well as solvents and dilute acids. They are resistant to a wide range of temperatures, including hot tires. After applying an appropriate primer, they can be applied to concrete (porous and troweled smooth), tiles and metal. Due to their properties, they can be successfully used in warehouses, production halls (including the food industry), laboratories, garages, and at home.

The purpose of the article below is to present the basic differences between floor protection systems, as well as to help you choose the best one for you.

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Systems available

Due to the application method, we distinguish paint (painted coating) and self-leveling (self-pouring) epoxy resin.

The paint, i.e. the painted coating, is applied using a roller. It is a coating with a thickness of approx. 120µm, so if there are any irregularities on the substrate, the paint will adapt to the substrate and will not mask them. Due to their high mechanical and chemical properties, epoxy paints, e.g. Neopox Special, and polyurethane paints, e.g. Neodur Special . These are two-component products - base + hardener, which must be mixed according to the proportions before application and used in the so-called "shelf life of the mixture". If we mix the ingredients together and exceed this time, the mixture will harden and is no longer suitable for use. Epoxy paints are not resistant to UV radiation (they chalk after some time), so if you want to protect the floor outdoors, you should apply polyurethane paint that is resistant to this. There is also a quick-drying polyurea system Neodur Fast Track for roller application, which can be applied indoors and outdoors.

Neopox Special epoxy floor paintNeopox Special
Neodur Special polyurethane flooring resinNeodur Special

Fast-drying Neodur Fast Track PR primerNeodur Fast Track

Self-leveling epoxy resin is a 1-3 mm thick coating. , a two-component epoxy resin, e.g. Epoxol Floor,  is additionally mixed with quartz sand with a granulation of 0.1-0.5 mm , which serves as a filler. The resulting mixture is spread with a trowel and then deaerated with a spiked roller . Due to the rather thick layer applied, air bubbles may get under the coating, and the spiked roller is intended to remove them.

Epoxol Floor S Epoxy screed ApplicationVenting the spout

Epoxol Floor S Epoxy screed ApplicationReady screed

Epoxol Floor S Epoxy screed ApplicationReady screed

Each of the above proposed solutions is a strong solution, with high mechanical and chemical resistance, but it should be remembered that due to the greater thickness of the coating in the case of self-leveling epoxy resin, it is a more durable solution and is also characterized by higher abrasion resistance.

When selecting a system, the time of full mechanical and chemical hardening should also be taken into account. Epoxy and polyurethane systems need 7 days before we start using them, while with the Neodur Fast Track , light foot traffic is allowed 3 hours after applying the last layer, and heavy traffic - already the next day. This is quite an important feature when we need to paint the floor, e.g. in a production hall, and it is not possible to decommission it for a longer period.

It is also quite important to know that the above systems are primarily industrial systems and, unfortunately, they tend to suffer from scratches (epoxies and polyurethanes more, polyureas less), although, for example, in production halls this is not a significant feature. When using an epoxy system at home, it is worth additionally protecting the coating with a topcoat, e.g. Neodur Varnish . The varnish will strengthen the coating, and most importantly - it will mask scratches, because they will appear on the colorless varnish coating (they will not be visible), and not directly on the epoxy coating.

Neodur Varnish polyurethane floor varnish
Neodur Varnish coating
Neodur Varnish Application
Neodur Varnish coating

Neopox Special epoxy paint Neodur Fast Track polyurea system are also available in other colors (e.g. white and yellow), so they can be used for painting lines in production halls or parking lots.

Epoxy for painting the Neopox Special line
Lines painted with Neopox Special epoxy paint

Filling gaps and unevenness

Sometimes it happens that our floor is not in perfect condition (it has defects, unevenness, cracks) and requires repair before painting. Depending on the frequency and depth of cavities, this can be done in several ways.

If the defects are local and do not exceed a depth of 0.5 cm, they can be filled with ready-made epoxy putty Epoxol Putty . When applying the above putty, you should have three spatulas. The first one is for applying component A, the second one is for component B, and the third one is for mixing component A with component B. You cannot allow the components to get dirty earlier, because a reaction will start.

Epoxol Putty epoxy putty
Epoxol Putty – mixing component A with component B

If the defects occur on a larger surface and do not exceed a depth of 3 mm, it is best to prepare the filler yourself, because it is a cheaper and effective solution. To do this, mix the solvent-free epoxy primer Epoxol Primer SF  with quartz sand with a granulation of 0.1-0.5 mm . In a situation where the depth of defects is 1 mm - we add 1 kg of sand to 1 kg of soil, for 2 mm - 2 kg of soil + 2 kg of sand, for 3 mm - 3 kg of soil + 3 kg of sand. Spread the resulting putty with a putty knife and leave to dry. Please remember that the thicker the layer, the longer the drying time, so you should wait long enough to be sure that the entire layer has had time to dry, and not, for example, only from the top.

Epoxol Primer SF Epoxy Flooring Primer
Epoxol Primer SF
Quartz sand
Quartz sand

Cavities in the floor should not be filled with ordinary acrylic compounds such as those used to fill gaps, e.g. in the wall, because this is a weaker solution and with much lower hardness.

You can fill the gaps with the above systems yourself. However, in a situation where the depth of the defects is greater and they occur on a larger surface - it would be best to pour a concrete screed, and in this situation it is best to rely on professionals.

System application

Painting with the above systems can be done on your own, provided you have basic manual skills. If you don't feel confident, you can commission the painting to a contractor, but one that knows how to do it. The most important thing is to properly prepare the surface for painting (cleaning it from dust, dirt, especially grease/oil, etc., removing any loose coating - all this impairs the adhesion of the coating to the substrate), and then applying the system in accordance with the information in the technical data sheet.

The most important information to pay attention to before application is:

  • Mixing proportions of component A (base) with component B (hardener),
  • Required minimum substrate and ambient temperature,
  • The shelf life of the mixture,
  • Time to apply the next layer (according to the prevailing temperature),
  • The above systems should be applied to dry, seasoned concrete (min. 28 days after pouring). Neopox Primer WS is also available as an epoxy primer for wet substrates (e.g. when only 14 days have passed since the concrete was poured or the substrate has been cleaned with water and has not had time to dry properly). In cases where capillary action occurs (e.g. poorly made insulation) - Neopox Primer AY (product on request). When an epoxy system is applied to damp concrete without a suitable primer, there is a high probability that the applied coating will not harden or if it does, after some time the trapped moisture will begin to escape and the coating will crack. If we are not sure whether our substrate is dry, we can test it on a smaller area. To do this, we tightly glue the foil to the substrate on a 1 m x 1 m square and observe whether moisture escapes (the foil evaporates). If this turns out to be the case, wait until the substrate dries or use one of the above-mentioned primers.
  • The choice of accessories is also important. When applying a solvent system, all tools used must be resistant to solvents, because the solvent may dissolve the bristles in the roller or brush. Before starting painting, it is also a good idea to wash all tools with water (this will remove loose hairs) and then leave them to dry.
  • In order for the paint to adhere to the substrate, the substrate must be absorbent. If we are not sure, we can pour some water on a smaller surface and observe how it behaves for a few minutes. If the water soaks in within 1-2 minutes - the substrate is very absorbent, 2-5 minutes - moderately absorbent, and if the water is still on the surface for more than 5 minutes - the substrate is not absorbent and in such a situation the epoxy adhesive primer Super Binder 3333 , which will ensure the paint's adhesion to the substrate.
  • Please remember that the theoretical consumption of the product given in the technical data sheet is tested in laboratory conditions, i.e. ideal conditions, and does not take into account high absorbent materials or substrates. In fact, it may turn out that more material will be needed than originally calculated. It is impossible for the theoretical consumption to be higher than the practical consumption, so if any amount of material is not used, it means that too thin a layer of the product was applied. In such a situation, another layer should be applied to obtain the coating thickness required in the technical data sheet. If the final coating thickness is lower than required in the technical data sheet, the hardened coating will not have adequate chemical and mechanical resistance.
  • Full chemical and mechanical hardening - the floor cannot be used until the minimum full hardening time has passed, as this may result in destruction of the coating.
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Floor priming
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Floor priming
Epoxol Floor S Epoxy screed Application
Spreading the screed with a trowel

We always include technical sheets with the order. You will also find them on our website, under the description of each product. Please read them before you start painting. If you have any doubts, please contact us, we provide technical advice and prepare price offers.

If you have any questions, please contact us, we will advise you and help you choose the right system!

+48 717 026 345  biuro@trokentech.pl