How to Apply Epoxy to a Garage Floor

1. Safety Tips

There are some important safety tips to follow in this project as it involves hydrochloric acid and epoxy. Always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment and do not smoke while working on this project. Turn off the gas to your water heater or any other appliances located in the garage. Keep the garage well ventilated while applying epoxy. Also, take precautions to keep children and pets away from the garage and driveway while you're working.

Sprinkle a small amount of water onto the concrete. If the water beads, a sealer has been used and must be removed prior to the application of epoxy coat. If the water absorbs into the concrete then it isn't sealed.

Use a high-pressure cleaner to clean all of the garage floor, including the corners. Make sure you wear protective shoes while you work. We used a petrol high-pressure cleaner, which is best to keep outside to stop the build-up of petrol fumes. After you have cleaned it, use a stiff-bristled brush to sweep away excess water and any debris.

Before you start working with the hydrochloric acid, put on your gloves, safety glasses, respirator, long pants and boots. Read the instructions to get the right ratio of acid to water. Carefully pour the acid into the bucket containing water. Dip the stiff-bristled brush in the mixture and scrub the garage floor.

After you have acid washed the garage floor, hose it down to clean away any acid and debris. Leave the floor to dry for at least 24 hours.

Once the garage floor is dry, stick the painters tape where the walls meet the garage floor. This will protect them from being coated in epoxy.

Make sure you read the instructions before mixing the epoxy. Also, put on your safety gloves, glasses and respirator. Pour the contents of the small can into the large can and mix the epoxy thoroughly. Once your two epoxy chemicals are mixed, immediately start applying it to the floor.

After you have cut in, paint the rest of the floor with the roller. Using a roller on the pole will make the job easier. Move at a steady pace and you should finish a two-car garage floor in less than one hour. A handy tip is to listen to the sound of the roller, a quiet roller means the epoxy is going on thick while a loud roller means it's going on thin. 

You can apply the flakes to the epoxy floor after you have painted 1m² of the floor. This way you can reach over and sprinkle the flakes over the area. Stop to apply the flakes every time you've painted 1m². Continue painting and applying the flakes until the job is done.