11/13/2019
Our team follows a 5-step application process.
STEP 1 – DIAMOND GRIND THE FLOOR SURFACE
As with any sort of coating surface, preparation is the most important step in the process. PEC has invested in state-of-the-art diamond grinders and dustless self-contained vacuum systems to ensure that every floor we coat achieves an unbreakable mechanical bond to the substrate. After unloading the equipment, the crew will evaluate the concrete density to select the right type of diamond blades to grind the floor.
The crew will grind the entire floor surface, which profiles the substrate and opens the pores of the concrete. The edges are ground down using a hand grinder.
This ensures every square inch of the floor is properly prepared. The coating can be applied to vertical surfaces such as foundation walls, cinder block, wood baseboards and steps.
Before this is complete, these vertical surfaces are ground and cleaned of any debris.
PEC employees diamond grinding a concrete garage floor.
STEP 2 – CRACK AND CHIP REPAIR
Hairline cracks naturally occur in concrete pads. These cracks must be opened using a diamond cutting wheel and then filled with a polyurea filler or cementitious mortar. Once applied, the filler cures in 25 minutes.
The excess can be ground off so that the floor is completely smooth and cracks invisible. In many cases the concrete floor has imperfections such as salt pits or other minor damage. These spots are also filled and ground down for a perfectly smooth surface.
With the grinding complete, the entire surface of the floor is vacuumed to remove any remaining dust or debris.
Cementitious mortar being applied to concrete floor in garage.
STEP 3 – PIGMENTED ADHESIVE BASE COAT
PEC uses a polyaspartic floor coating which is a 2-component system.
The crew mixes the 2 components adding pigment to the base coat that matches our customer’s choice of pre-blended vinyl flakes. The crew first rolls the base coat onto all vertical surfaces and heavily applies the flakes for consistent 100% coverage.
Excess material is vacuumed from the floor before the base coat is applied. The crew then proceeds to apply the base coat to the entire floor surface.
Pigmented adhesive base coat being applied to a garage floor.
STEP 4 – FLAKE COVERAGE
One crew member will roll the coating onto the floor and the other will broadcast the vinyl flakes. To achieve 100% coverage, three times the amount of material is broadcast in this process.
Once the entire floor surface is coated and flaked, the coating requires 60 minutes to cure.
As soon as the coating has completely cured, the crew begins to remove all excess flake material.
The floor is scraped with a flat metal-edge tool to knock down any standing flakes and make the flake base coat even and smooth. Once the entire floor is scraped it is again blown and vacuumed to remove debris and excess flakes.
STEP 5 – CLEAR COAT APPLICATION
The clear top coat is applied with a squeegee and then back rolled. This process ensures that the top coat has a thick and even layer, which leaves a consistent finish that’s extremely durable.
The top coat requires 18-24 hours to cure before foot traffic can resume and 36-96 hours before vehicles can use the garage once again. Climate plays a role in the top coat curing time, so your PEC design consultant will advise you based on climate factors.
Finally, our crew will clean up the entire site and load up the truck with their equipment and materials.
10 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Premier Epoxy Coatings provides a 10-year limited warranty for every 2 coat flake floor coating project we complete. You get a signed warranty certificate that includes the date of purchase and details of warranty coverage.
