Epoxy paints are what you reach for when you want to paint interior concrete floors. With high durability, they’re solvent-, chemical-, and stain-resistant and are a popular choice for home garages as they can withstand light vehicular traffic. Want to try your hand at epoxy paints? Here are important tips to know before you start.
Tip #1: Follow the Correct Ratio and Know the Induction Time
Epoxy paints come in two parts: the paint itself and its curing agent or catalyst. You get them both when you buy them at the store and you mix them together before you start painting.
The two must be combined following the recommended ratio to achieve the intended results. This is usually 3:1 or 4:1 (paint to catalyst) depending on the product. Boysen makes this easier by packaging its 2-component paints in 3 or 4 L cans for paint and 1 L cans for catalyst.
Keep in mind that after combining the paint and curing agent, you need to wait before you can use and apply the product. This is called the induction time. For Boysen paints like Epoxy Primer, Epoxy Enamel, and Acqua Epoxy, the induction time is 20 minutes. Not following the recommended induction time can cause paint defects.
Tip #2: Work Within the Pot Life
Then, there’s also pot life. Pot life pertains to how long your epoxy paint can be used after it’s been mixed. After the pot life has elapsed, the product will thicken or harden and be difficult to apply. Check the pot life of your particular product so you can plan accordingly.
For example, 5 hours is the pot life for Boysen Epoxy Primer and Boysen Epoxy Enamel. On the other hand, 8 hours is the pot life for Boysen Acqua Epoxy. When using these paints, it’s wiser to mix only what you need for the day.
Tip #3: When Specified, Use a Reducer for the Primer
Check if your epoxy primer needs to be reduced before it can be applied. The Boysen recommended primer for Epoxy Enamel and Acqua Epoxy is Epoxy Primer. When painting on concrete floors, this product will need to be thinned out with Boysen Epoxy Reducer at a 1:1 ratio after the induction time and before it is used.
However, a reducer may not be necessary if you’re painting on wood or metal. So, be sure to read the product guide beforehand. Here’s a tip: the Boysen website and Boysen app contain product guides for all Boysen products!
Tip #4: For Floors, a Rough Surface is Better
A rough concrete floor will help your epoxy paint adhere better. Roughness similar to 60 or 80 grit sandpaper is best when painting with Acqua Epoxy or Epoxy Enamel. If you’re familiar, this would equate to a surface profile of CSP 1 to CSP 2. To achieve this, you can roughen a concrete surface using either mechanical (grinding) or chemical means (acid retching).
Tip #5: Ask for Professional Help If Needed
For those new to painting, working with epoxy paints may not be the best move. As you may have surmised from the tips before this one, using epoxy paints can get quite complicated compared to, say, using water-based paints like Boysen Permacoat Latex. It’s not for the inexperienced.
With that said, you absolutely can outsource the task to a professional if you’re not so confident with your painting capabilities! Sure, it will cost a bit more but you can rest easy that the job will get done properly and well.
Got more questions about epoxy paints? Feel free to reach out to our technical team at ask@myboysen.com or call (02) 8363-9738 local 413 to 418 during office hours for a one-on-one consultation.