Prior to painting your floor:
PERFORM A MOISTURE TEST If you sometimes see tiny crystals or white powder on your floor, this is moisture migrating through the concrete, which will often cause peel up of any kind of coating you apply.
TO PERFORM A MOISTURE TEST: put a rubber mat on the floor or tape down a 3 by 3 ft (or so) sheet of plastic. Wait overnight. If water collects between it and the floor there is a moisture problem and any floor paint will probably not cure/dry properly. If the Water Test fails, please contact us regarding further options.
PERFORM THE SEALER TEST If your concrete has been treated with some sort of cement sealer no epoxy will stick to it. TO PERFORM THE SEALER TEST: pour water on the cement. It should soak into the cement in a reasonable time. If it beads up or just sits there for a long time, the concrete has been sealed or could be grease-or-oil contaminated. The Etch N' Clean solution will dissolve oil and grease stains but will not cut through a sealer. The floor must be grinded or shot blasted to cut through the sealer.
Concrete Surfaces: All surfaces must be sound, dry, clean and free of oil, grease, dirt, mildew, form release agents, curing compounds, efflorescence, loose and flaking paint and other foreign substances prior to painting your base coat. Remove laitance and roughen unusually slick poured or precast concrete as well any oil, grease, and dirt by utilizing The Original Color Chips Etch n' Clean Solution. The Etch 'n Clean will provide both the cleaning and the profiling (roughening the surface) in one operation. Etching the concrete allows the base coat to adhere securely. Pour onto surface and scrub into the pours of the concrete with a stiff bristle broom. Wait 7-10 minutes. Triple rinse thoroughly with water (power washing is ideal) and allow to dry a minimum of 8 hours. Remove loose aggregate by sweeping. Applying on Wood - You will need two coats of base coat epoxy. Prime the surface with base coat epoxy reduced one-half pint per gallon with water. (this will soak into the wood thus creating a bonding agent for your second-layer of base coat.) Previously Painted Surfaces: The waterborne components of this product generally allow use over most old coatings. Old coatings should be tested for lifting. If they lift, remove them. Wash to remove contaminants. Rinse thoroughly with water and allow to dry. Dull glossy areas by light sanding. Remove sanding dust. Remove loose paint. DO NOT USE ETCH 'N CLEAN ON PREVIOUSLY PAINTED SURFACES, SIMPLY SAND THE SURFACE.
Patching: - Patching of pits and cracks is an optional step. Patch all pits and cracks by utilizing a concrete patching compound prior to using the Etch 'N Clean solution. EXPANSION JOINTS/CUTS - Use a self-leveling sealant if you wish to fill in expansion joints or expanion cuts, etc (optional). Be sure to clean out epansion cuts thoroughly before applying epoxy or sealant. Fillers must dry overnight before applying the acid wash solution.
Once you are ready to paint
Basecoat Mixing Instructions: - Slowly add Basecoat Part B to Basecoat Part A in a 1:1 ratio. (entire half-gallon to half-gallon). Stir thoroughly and scrape sides of can to ensure thorough blending. Always restir before use. Mixed material is usable for six to eight hours. Do not thin with solvents, use water if thinning is necessary. Do not add flow-control materials. Note: If the two parts are not mixed together properly the coating will not dry or harden. Once material is mixed it must be used with in 6-8 hours, after then the material will harden and become un-useable. Coverage: 200-250 Square feet per gallon kit. WARNING: Do not apply over wet surfaces or under very humid conditions where condensation or fog could settle on the coating during the cure process. The epoxy can be applied by brush, roll or spray. For roller application, use clean medium nap synthetic roller (new rollers must be free of loose fibers). A good quality 1/2 inch nap roller is recommended). Brushing is best reserved for small areas of "cutting in". Do not apply when surface or air temperature is below 50°F (10°C).
Start Painting: - After material is thoroughly mixed, Start Painting in the corner furthest away from the exit of the room. Use a brush to cut in along the walls, use a roller to roll material on floor surfaces away from the wall. After painting approximately 6 feet from the starting point you should begin to apply the chips. Note: Multiple colors of chips should be mixed together in a separate container prior to beginning the application. Chips are applied by tossing them upward toward the ceiling allowing them to float down into the wet base coat. (we recommend an overhand / baseball pitcher-style throw) Continue painting approximately 6 foot wide sections and tossing chips until entire floor is complete. Note: be careful not to drop chips in handfuls directly down onto floor, once chips are placed they cannot be moved. Coverage: Apply at 220-250 sq. ft./gal. or 5.0-7.0 mils wet (2.0-3.0 mils dry) on smooth, surfaces. Dry Time: Application temperature range is 60°-95°F. At 77°F (25°C) dries to touch in two hours and to recoat overnight.
Topcoat Application: - Once your ready to apply topcoat (waiting overnight for the base coat to efficiently cure), mix Part A and Part B together (equals one gallon). Refer to the base coat mixing and application instructions for the Topcoat. It will be the same procedures. Be sure to roll one even coat of Crystal Clear topcoat to entire surface to be coated. Material will go on as a milky white (may even look like white paint) and dry Crystal Clear. Smooth out any visible clumps of clear coat. If you come to the end of your floor and you still have clear coat left over do not use the mixed material to add thickness to the layer you just put down. Discard unused material (if mixed). Applying Clearcoat overtop of itself without waiting for the first layer to cure will cause curing problems. If you do decide to double coat the clear top coat, please allow at the minimum of 24 hours for the first layer to cure before attempting a second coat. (heavy or full broadcasts of chips often calls for a double layer of clear coat.)
Dry Time: - Dries to light foot traffic on concrete floors in 24-48 hours. You can move heavy items on it in 36-48 hours.
Full cure in seven days. Low temperature, high humidity, thick films or poor ventilation will increase these times. Lack of ventilation and/or the use of portable fuel burning heaters that produce exhaust gases, during application and initial stages of curing, may cause yellowing to occur.
Clean-up: Clean immediately after use with warm, soapy water. Rinse pumps and hoses with xylene after cleaning.
Helpful Hints: - Be sure to apply the material at 220-250 square feet per gallon. Be sure to have enough chips to do entire surface. (1 bag per 250 square feet for Light sprinkle, 2 bags per 250 square feet for medium sprinkle, etc) When applying topcoat walk on previously applied chip/base coat with clean shoes or socks only, any dirt or debris tracked on to chip/ base coat will be sealed in by application of clear topcoat. Throw chips upward not downward. A second person may apply chips in conjunction with the first person rolling the base coat. Once you mix the product you only have 6 hours to work with it before it hardens. We usually recommend a three day process: Day 1: etch and clean the surface Day 2: apply your base coat and chips, and Day 3 roll on your top coat. Or wait 6 hours after applying base coat to apply topcoat.
*WARNING! CAUSES EYE AND SKIN BURNS. HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. ASPIRATION HAZARD-CAN ENTER LUNGS AND CAUSE DAMAGE. HARMFUL IF INHALED. MAY CAUSE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS, INCLUDING DIZZINESS, HEADACHE OR NAUSEA. CAUSES RESPIRATORY TRACT IRRITATION. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC SKIN REACTION. MAY BE HARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. OVEREXPOSURE MAY CAUSE BLOOD, LIVER, KIDNEY DAMAGE. WHEN TINTED, CONTAINS ETHYLENE GLYCOL WHICH CAN CAUSE SEVERE KIDNEY DAMAGE WHEN INGESTED AND HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS IN LABORATORY ANIMALS. USE ONLY WITH ADEQUATE VENTILATION. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
NOTICE: This product contains solvents. Reports have associated repeated and prolonged occupational overexposure to solvents with permanent brain and nervous system damage. Intentional misuse by deliberately concentrating and inhaling the contents may be harmful or fatal. For emergency information call (800) 545-2643. If sanding is done, wear a dust mask to avoid breathing of sanding dust. Do not breathe vapors or spray mist. If you experience eye watering, headaches, or dizziness, leave the area. If properly used, a respirator may offer additional protection. Obtain professional advice before using. Close container after each use.
FIRST AID: In case of skin contact, wash off quickly with plenty of soap and water, remove contaminated clothing. For eye contact flush immediately with large amounts of water, for at least 15 minutes. Obtain emergency medical treatment. If swallowed, obtain medical treatment immediately. If inhalation causes physical discomfort, remove to fresh air. If discomfort persists or any breathing difficulty occurs, get medical help. KEEP FROM FREEZING.
The information contained herein is based on the data available to us and is believed to be correct. However, we make no warranty, or implied, regarding the accuracy of this data or the results to be obtained from the use thereof. We assume no responsibility for the injury from expressed use of the product described herein.
