Two Component DIY Garage Floor Epoxy for Homeowners, Painters, and Handymen This is a true two component, water based amine adduct epoxy designed for interior concrete floors. It gives homeowners, painters, and handymen a practical way to install a real epoxy garage floor without moving directly into the shorter working times and higher film build of a 100% solids contractor system. The coating contains 55.32% solids by volume, provides approximately 1 to 2 hours of pot life at 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and builds approximately 3 mils of dry film per coat. Two coats are recommended over bare concrete, producing approximately 6 mils of total dry epoxy film when applied at the recommended thickness. Use it as a solid color garage floor coating or add decorative vinyl flakes and an optional One Stop Epoxy Urethane WB topcoat. Free shipping to the 48 contiguous states, and most orders ship out the same or next business day. Quick Answer: This is a two component water based epoxy for DIY garage floors and other properly prepared interior concrete. Each mixed gallon covers up to approximately 200 square feet per coat. Two coats are recommended over bare concrete. Pot life is approximately 1 to 2 hours at 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and warmer temperatures can shorten that time. Where This DIY Garage Floor Epoxy Fits This coating is made primarily for interior residential and light commercial concrete where ease of application, longer working time, appearance, and durability all matter. Application Fit Residential Garage Floors Excellent choice for solid color or decorative flake garage floors. Home Workshops Suitable for properly prepared interior concrete exposed to normal tools, equipment, foot traffic, and household use. Painters and Handymen A practical entry point for adding garage floor coating work without immediately moving into 100% solids epoxy systems. Light Commercial Floors Suitable for appropriate interior applications that do not require a heavy industrial flooring system. Exterior Concrete Not recommended. This product is intended for interior use. Heavy Commercial and Industrial Floors Choose a higher build system from our Epoxy Flooring Systems. Compare the Numbers, Not the Box Garage floor coatings use different resin chemistry, solids content, film thickness, coverage rates, and working times. Those numbers tell you more about the coating than the wording printed on the front of a package. What to Compare One Stop Epoxy DIY Coating Why It Matters Coating Chemistry Two component water based amine adduct epoxy Part A and Part B chemically crosslink to form the cured coating. Solids by Volume 55.32% plus or minus 2% Shows how much of the wet coating remains as cured film by volume. Solids by Weight 71.34% plus or minus 2% Provides another published measurement of the coating formulation. Wet Film Build Approximately 5.3 mils per coat The recommended wet thickness controls coverage and finished film build. Dry Film Build Approximately 3 mils per coat Two properly applied coats produce approximately 6 mils of total dry epoxy film. Pot Life Approximately 1 to 2 hours at 77 degrees Fahrenheit Provides more application time than many higher build contractor epoxy systems. Coverage Up to approximately 200 square feet per mixed gallon, per coat Coverage is stated per coat so the entire project can be calculated correctly. DIY Epoxy vs. 100% Solids Epoxy This product and a 100% solids epoxy serve different purposes. One is not being presented as a substitute for the other. Feature DIY Garage Floor Epoxy 100% Solids Epoxy Solids by Volume 55.32% plus or minus 2% 100% Application Brush and roller Requires more installation planning and experience Working Window Approximately 1 to 2 hour pot life at 77 degrees Fahrenheit Product dependent and commonly shorter Film Build Approximately 3 mils dry per coat Designed for substantially higher film build Best Fit DIYers, painters, handymen, and lighter duty interior floors Experienced installers, commercial systems, full flake systems, and higher build floors If your project requires greater film build, or a commercial flooring system, browse our Epoxy Resin Products and complete Epoxy Flooring Systems. Choose Solid Color, Decorative Flakes, or a Urethane Topcoat Solid Color Epoxy: Apply two coats over bare concrete for a clean, uniform Light Gray or Tan garage floor. Decorative Vinyl Flakes: Broadcast vinyl flakes into the wet final epoxy coat to add color variation and break up the solid background. Epoxy With Urethane: Add One Stop Epoxy Urethane WB when you want an additional wear layer over the epoxy and decorative flakes. Installation Tip: When broadcasting decorative flakes, work in sections no larger than approximately 6 feet by 6 feet. The flakes must land in wet epoxy to bond correctly. Surface Preparation Surface preparation directly affects adhesion. The concrete must be clean, dry, porous, and free of anything that can interfere with the epoxy bond. New concrete should be at least 30 days old. Remove dirt, dust, grease, oil, tire residue, curing compounds, and other contaminants. Repair cracks, holes, and damaged concrete before coating. Test bare concrete for sealer by placing water on several areas of the floor. If water beads instead of soaking into the concrete, the sealer must be removed before coating. Loose or peeling existing coatings must be removed. Glossy existing coatings must be sanded or mechanically abraded to a uniformly dull finish. Manufacturer Approved Acid Etching for Bare Concrete This specific epoxy allows manufacturer approved muriatic acid etching as a preparation method for suitable bare concrete. This is an exception to many higher build One Stop Epoxy flooring systems that require mechanical concrete preparation. For suitable bare concrete, prepare the floor using a 10% muriatic acid solution in accordance with the acid manufacturer's directions and safety requirements. Work in manageable sections, allow the acid to react with the concrete, and rinse the surface thoroughly before the acid dries. The finished surface should have a light texture similar to approximately 180 grit sandpaper. Allow the concrete to dry completely before moisture testing and coating. Important: Muriatic acid is hazardous. Wear appropriate eye, skin, hand, and foot protection and follow all instructions and safety precautions supplied by the acid manufacturer. Never acid etch over an existing paint or floor coating. Previously Painted Concrete Existing paint or coating may remain only if it is firmly bonded to the concrete. Remove anything loose, cracked, or peeling. Sand glossy coatings to remove the shine and create a uniformly dull surface. A simple adhesion check can help identify poorly bonded existing paint. Cut a small X through the coating, firmly apply strong tape over the X, and pull the tape away quickly. If the existing coating releases from the floor, additional removal is required before applying new epoxy. Lead Paint Warning: Scraping, sanding, wire brushing, or otherwise disturbing older paint can create hazardous lead dust. Before disturbing an older coating, determine whether lead may be present and follow current EPA lead safe work practices. Use appropriate respiratory protection, control dust, and clean the area with proper HEPA equipment and wet cleaning methods. Check the Concrete for Moisture After the floor has dried, tape a 2 foot by 2 foot sheet of clear plastic tightly to the concrete and leave it in place for 24 hours. If water droplets appear beneath the plastic or the concrete becomes visibly darker, do not apply the epoxy until the moisture condition has been resolved. The plastic sheet test can identify obvious moisture, but it is not a substitute for professional concrete moisture testing when moisture vapor transmission is a known concern. Mixing Instructions Correct mixing and induction are critical to the cure and performance of this coating. Premix Part A. Open the epoxy base and mix it thoroughly. Premix Part B. Mix the activator separately before combining the components. Combine the complete kit. Pour the entire Part B activator into Part A. Mix for 3 to 5 minutes. Use a low speed drill with a Jiffy Mixer or suitable mixing paddle. Scrape the sides and bottom while mixing. Do not whip air into the coating. Keep the mixer submerged and use low speed. Wait 30 minutes. Allow the mixed epoxy to stand for the full induction period before application. Apply within the pot life. Mixed material has approximately 1 to 2 hours of pot life at 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures shorten pot life. Do Not Skip the 30 Minute Induction Period: The induction period is part of the required mixing procedure. Complete the mixing process first, then allow the combined material to stand for 30 minutes before beginning application. Contractor Tip: Do not plan the job around receiving the full 2 hours of pot life. Pot life is temperature dependent. Warm material, warm concrete, and warm air can shorten the available time. Have the floor prepared, tools ready, and application plan established before mixing. How to Apply the Epoxy Apply only when the concrete surface and surrounding air are between 55 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a quality nylon or polyester brush for edges and detail work. Use a quality 1/2 inch nap roller cover for the main floor. Apply the coating evenly while maintaining a wet edge. If decorative flakes are being used, broadcast them while the epoxy remains wet. Allow the first coat to cure before applying the second coat. Apply the second coat within the 8 to 24 hour recoat window. Two coats are recommended over bare concrete for color uniformity, gloss uniformity, and the intended film build. Coverage, Recoat, and Cure Schedule Specification Product Information Coverage Up to approximately 200 square feet per mixed gallon, per coat Recommended Coats on Bare Concrete 2 coats Wet Film Build Approximately 5.3 mils per coat Dry Film Build Approximately 3 mils per coat Pot Life Approximately 1 to 2 hours at 77 degrees Fahrenheit Induction Time 30 minutes after mixing Dry to Touch Approximately 4 to 6 hours Recoat Window Between 8 and 24 hours Foot Traffic 48 hours Vehicle Traffic 72 hours Full Cure 7 days Temperature, humidity, concrete temperature, air movement, film thickness, and other job site conditions can affect dry and cure times. Do not place a vehicle on the floor simply because the coating feels dry to the touch. How Much DIY Garage Floor Epoxy Do You Need? One mixed gallon covers up to approximately 200 square feet per coat. Two coats are recommended over bare concrete. Calculate each coat separately and order complete kits for both coats. Do not plan on splitting one kit between separate coats. Roller covers, brushes, mixing containers, concrete porosity, surface texture, and normal application loss all affect actual coverage. Measured Floor Area Kits Per Coat Total Kits for 2 Coats Up to 200 square feet 1 2 201 to 400 square feet 2 4 401 to 600 square feet 3 6 601 to 800 square feet 4 8 801 to 1,000 square feet 5 10 Coverage is an estimate. Porous, rough, damaged, or uneven concrete may require additional material. DIY Garage Floor Epoxy Specifications Specification Product Information Coating Type Two component water based amine adduct epoxy Recommended Use Properly prepared interior garage, workshop, utility, and suitable light commercial concrete floors Colors Light Gray and Tan Tinting Universal colorants listed for the coating formulation Sheen Semi gloss Mixed Kit Size 1 gallon Part A 3/4 gallon epoxy base Part B 1 quart activator Solids by Volume 55.32% plus or minus 2% Solids by Weight 71.34% plus or minus 2% Coverage Up to approximately 200 square feet per gallon, per coat Recommended Wet Film Approximately 5.3 mils per coat Recommended Dry Film Approximately 3 mils per coat Pot Life Approximately 1 to 2 hours at 77 degrees Fahrenheit Application Temperature 55 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit for the surface and surrounding air Application Tools Quality nylon or polyester brush and 1/2 inch nap roller cover Cleanup Warm soap and water before the coating cures Use Limitation Interior use only When This Epoxy Is Not the Right Product This coating is intended for interior concrete floors. It is not recommended for driveways, uncovered patios, exterior walkways, immersion service, corrosive chemical environments, areas exposed to intense heat, below grade concrete, or slabs with unresolved moisture problems. For a higher build garage floor, full flake flooring system, metallic epoxy floor, moisture vapor barrier system, or heavier commercial application, shop our complete Epoxy Flooring Systems. Frequently Asked Questions Is this real epoxy or epoxy paint? It is a true two component water based amine adduct epoxy. Part A and Part B chemically crosslink as the coating cures. It is not a one component garage floor paint. What does 55.32% solids by volume mean? Solids by volume describes how much of the wet coating remains as cured film by volume after water and other volatile components leave during cure. This coating is 55.32% solids by volume plus or minus 2%. How thick is the finished epoxy? The recommended application is approximately 5.3 mils wet and approximately 3 mils dry per coat. Two properly applied coats produce approximately 6 mils of total dry epoxy film. Is this better than every big box garage floor kit? Garage floor products use different resin chemistry and specifications, so blanket comparisons are not useful. Compare coating chemistry, solids by volume, dry film thickness, coverage per coat, pot life, preparation requirements, cure schedule, and technical support. Those numbers tell you what you are actually buying. Is this the same as 100% solids epoxy? No. A 100% solids epoxy is designed for much greater film build and is commonly used in professional flooring systems. This coating is designed to give DIY installers, painters, and handymen more working time and a straightforward brush and roller application. How much garage floor will one kit cover? One mixed gallon covers up to approximately 200 square feet per coat. Two coats are recommended over bare concrete, so a garage up to 200 square feet normally requires two complete kits. Do I really need two coats? Two coats are recommended over bare concrete for proper color and gloss uniformity and to achieve approximately 6 mils of total dry film at the recommended application thickness. How long do I have to apply the epoxy after mixing? Pot life is approximately 1 to 2 hours at 77 degrees Fahrenheit after the required 30 minute induction period. Higher temperatures shorten pot life, so do not assume you will always receive the full 2 hours. Why do I have to wait 30 minutes after mixing? This product requires a 30 minute induction period after Parts A and B have been completely mixed. The induction period allows the chemical reaction to begin before application. When can I apply the second coat? Apply the second epoxy coat between 8 and 24 hours after the previous coat under normal curing conditions. When can I walk on the floor? Allow 48 hours before foot traffic. When can I park my vehicle on the floor? Allow at least 72 hours before vehicle traffic. The coating reaches full cure in 7 days. Can I add decorative vinyl flakes? Yes. Broadcast decorative vinyl flakes into the wet final epoxy coat. Work in manageable sections so the coating remains wet while the flakes are being broadcast. Should I use a urethane topcoat? A urethane topcoat is optional. Add One Stop Epoxy Urethane WB when you want an additional wear layer, improved chemical resistance, or better encapsulation of decorative flakes. Can I acid etch instead of grinding? For this specific product, manufacturer approved acid etching can be used on suitable bare concrete. Never acid etch over existing paint or another coating. Concrete with sealers, failed coatings, severe contamination, or other surface problems may require mechanical preparation. Can I apply this over an existing painted garage floor? Potentially. The existing coating must be firmly bonded. Remove loose or peeling material and sand glossy surfaces to a uniformly dull finish before applying the epoxy. The new coating is only as secure as the coating underneath it. Please be aware we suggest you DO NOT go over a big box store garage floor kit. This product is far superior and offers substantially stronger bonding qualities. Remember, a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. Can I use this epoxy outside? No. This product is intended for interior use. Direct sunlight can cause epoxy coatings to fade, chalk, or yellow over time.