If you’ve ever wondered what you would need epoxy paint for, you’ve come to the right place. Here is your introduction to epoxy paints—what they are, when you would need them, and a few important things to keep in mind when using them.
What are Epoxy Paints
What differentiates epoxy paints from other paints you may regularly encounter is the inclusion of epoxy in the formulation. A type of resin, epoxy gives the paint additional desirable characteristics and features.
Epoxy makes the paint extra durable and tough. It gives it weather-, stain-, chemical-, and corrosion-resistance making it a high-performance paint. This is why, unlike your usual paints for low-touch surfaces like home walls, epoxy paints are often used on floors and can withstand foot and light vehicular traffic.
When to Use Epoxy Paints
Go for epoxy paints when you want the extra durability they can provide. Boysen’s epoxy paints are ideal for concrete and metal surfaces. Use it if you want to paint concrete flooring, such as for home garages and basketball courts, or if you want long-lasting paint for your metal surfaces such as gates, trusses, and trellises.
Boysen Acqua Epoxy
Exterior and interior use
A water-based coating, Boysen Acqua Epoxy makes for an all-around good choice if you’re looking to use epoxy paint. First, it can be used for exteriors. So, whatever you paint that’s going to be exposed to harsh sunlight and rains—including your metal gate and exterior concrete floors—will look good for longer.
Because it’s water-based, Boysen Acqua Epoxy is low-odor. You don’t get that strong chemical smell and it’s non-flammable too. Compared to solvent-based paints, it’s easier to apply and doesn’t need thinners or reducers. For clean-up, you’ll also only need water.
Boysen Epoxy Enamel
Interior use only
Boysen Epoxy Enamel gives interior concrete and metal a smooth, gloss finish. Use it on surfaces that require a durable coating like indoor parking spaces. Its excellent mechanical and physical resistance protects the surface from day-to-day normal abrasions from foot and light vehicular traffic. Paint color choices are also perfect for those looking for hues that are not overly bright.
What to Know When Working with Epoxy Paints
2-component Paints
Epoxy paints are typically 2-component paints. They 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. Always check the label for instructions before use.
Note the Induction Time
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. If you’re using Epoxy Enamel, Acqua Epoxy, or Epoxy Primer you’ll need to wait 20 minutes. Not following the recommended induction time can cause paint defects.
Reduce the Primer When Specified
Check if your epoxy primer needs to be reduced before it can be applied. The primer for Epoxy Enamel and Acqua Epoxy is Epoxy Primer. When painting concrete floors, this product will need to be thinned out with Boysen Epoxy Reducer at a 1:1 ratio after the induction time. However, a reducer may not be necessary if you’re painting on wood or metal.
For Floors, Sand First
A rough concrete floor will help your epoxy paint adhere better. Roughness similar to 60 or 80 grit sandpaper is best. For paint experts, 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).
Remember, when in doubt, it’s okay to call a professional for help!
If you have any questions or inquiries about Boysen products, our technical team will also be happy to assist you. Send an email to ask@myboysen.com or call (02) 8363-9738 local 413 to 418 during office hours for a one-on-one consultation.
