Why putting epoxy on top of a painted floor may be a mistake

 If you’re considering using epoxy on top of a painted surface, it’s important to understand that the epoxy may not adhere properly.

This can lead to bubbling, peeling, or cracking, which can ruin the appearance of your project and compromise its structural integrity.

Furthermore, when epoxy is applied on top of a painted surface, it can also create an uneven surface.

This is because the epoxy will flow and level itself out, while the underlying paint may not. This can result in an unsightly finish that is difficult to correct.

In addition, if the underlying paint has not completely cured, the epoxy may trap solvents or moisture underneath it. This can cause the epoxy to bubble or crack, and may even cause the paint to peel or discolor.

So, before applying epoxy on top of a painted surface, it’s important to consider the type of paint used, the age and condition of the paint, and whether it has fully cured.

It may be best to remove the paint entirely and apply the epoxy directly to the bare surface.

Overall, while epoxy is a versatile and durable material, it’s not always the best option for every surface.

By understanding the potential issues that can arise when using epoxy on top of a painted surface, you can make an informed decision for your next DIY project.

Epoxy is a popular flooring material that provides a durable and long-lasting finish. However, when it comes to applying epoxy on top of a painted floor, it’s important to consider whether this is the best course of action.

While it may seem like an easy solution, there are a number of issues that can arise from putting epoxy on top of paint.

First and foremost, epoxy needs a clean and properly prepared surface in order to adhere properly.

If the paint underneath is not fully cured, it can trap solvents or moisture that will cause the epoxy to bubble or crack.

Additionally, if the paint is of poor quality or is peeling, the epoxy may not adhere well and will result in a finish that is uneven or bubbly.

Another potential problem with putting epoxy on top of a painted floor is that the underlying paint may not be able to withstand the high temperatures that are generated during the epoxy curing process.

This can cause the paint to soften or even melt, leading to further issues with the floor.

Overall, while epoxy is a great option for flooring, it’s important to ensure that the surface it is being applied to is properly prepared.

If you’re considering putting epoxy on top of a painted floor, it’s recommended to remove the paint entirely and start with a clean, bare surface.

This will help ensure that the epoxy adheres properly and provides the best possible finish.

Solid Epoxy Floor Easton,Pa

 

Solid Epoxy Floor For Concrete

Whether you need to refurbish outdated flooring or seal your concrete surface, epoxy floor coating can transform your space while protecting your concrete.

This epoxy coating is surprisingly useful for preserving concrete surfaces and protecting against harsh impacts — all while showcasing a glossy or matte finish.

Coating the floor of an auto shop, business, man cave or garage has many benefits.

Epoxy floor coatings are resilient , and protects your floor.

If your floor is uncoated and has been left open to damage, epoxy can shield your floor from any further damage and bring a level of professional refinement it may be lacking.

Solid Polyurea Epoxy Floor

An Epoxy floor coating is made of epoxide resin, polyamine hardener and other additives.

When not used as a floor coating, it is often used as an adhesive.

As it is mixed, it forms a chemical reaction that gives your floor distinct qualities, hardness and looks.

There are many different types of epoxy, polyaspartics and polyurea coatings.

Don't get a low quality epoxy floor

It is vitally important you know what your contractor is using and at what thickness they are applying it.

Ryan Amato

Cost Effective

Epoxy is an affordable option compared to current flooring removal, the purchase of new tile or vinyl and additional installation costs.

Your current flooring material doesn’t even need to be removed, sparing you a time consuming and pricey experience.

Revamping your flooring does not have to include overly expensive and involved processes if you opt for an epoxy finish.

Retain your current floor and save on installation while gaining a smooth and bright new look.

Use A Pro

Professional installation will be a worthwhile investment because the length of time that the flooring stays intact makes this an efficient choice.

Allowing experts to complete this process will be the most cost-effective option.

Professionals are experienced in avoiding poor application practices and taking necessary protective measures

Epoxy floors have man y variables, humidity, sun, wind all effect the installation of an epoxy floor, a professional will be able to adjust as the epoxy project is happening.

Solid Epoxy Floor

This floor above was done throughout a home.

The client wanted a smooth, industrial look to their floor, clear sealers would of exposed the old stained concrete beneath it.

Even with cleaning and grinding, sometimes you cannot remove deep penetrated stains.

So we recommended this solid gray, highly durable epoxy, polyaspartic coating.

This floor will last a very long time in a home or for that matter almost any 

What does it cost for an epoxy garage floor

How much will an epoxy garage floor cost me?

An epoxy floor for your garage can dramatically change the look of your space plus adding protection and safety through anti-slip additives. But how much will this really cost?

There are many factors that will go into your pricing and for simplicity sake, we will assume your hiring a professional company that does floors every day.

Using professional epoxy coatings

It is not advisable to use a painter with little experience or have your contractor do it (a jack of all trades)

A professional epoxy floor can be between 15-20 mills
A typical residential 2 car garage between 400-450 sq ft will be normally between $5.50-$12 a sq ft depending on what system you may be getting
To remove a coating add another $1-3 a sq ft
Want an additional clear coat?
Add another $2-3 per sq ft
Have a significant amount of patching? We will need to talk as it can double the price in some instances or more.

Many variables will go into the costs of your epoxy garage floor such as:

• What is the current condition of the floor?
• Will it need a lot of patching
• Are there significant cracks, divots or aggregate showing?
• Do you want the expansion joints to disappear?
• Do you have cove or curbing that needs to be coated?
• What is currently on their floor?
• Does a coating need to be removed?
• Is there a sealer on the concrete? What type of sealer? 
• What look or type of floor would you like?
• What will the floor be used for? 
• A normal garage with a few cars?
•  A working garage? 
• A home shop? 
• Each of these uses many require different products.
• What is the turn around time you desire? 
• When do you want to be back on the floor? 
•  Different products can shorten this time depending on use, but it may add cost.

Solid Epoxy Floor

A solid epoxy floor is just what it sounds like:

• Your floor would be prepared and typically a high solid epoxy and a clear coat would be applied for durability and uv protection

Epoxy Floors Fact vs Fiction

 EPOXY FLOORS: Fact vs. Fiction 

With all the conflicting information out there about the dos and don’ts of flooring installation, it can be difficult to choose the best floor option for your residential, commercial or industrial space. Perhaps one of the most controversial of the floor choices is epoxy floors. 

Epoxy coating is becoming a more and more popular choice for not only industrial and commercial properties, but for residential spaces as well.

 Epoxy coating is made up of a two-part mixture consisting of resin and a hardening agent. This mixture is then evenly distributed over well primed concrete, wood, tile or a variety of other surfaces you may find in a residential, commercial or industrial space. 

Once the mixture is properly applied, a chemical reaction occurs creating a bond to the floor making it incredibly durable, long-lasting, slip resistant and easy to wipe clean! 

Seems too good to be true, right? Let’s analyze some of the rumors swirling around out there about epoxy floors and we’ll let you be the judge.

“Epoxy Floors are only for large industries and wealthy folks. There’s no way I could afford that.”

Okay, we’ll admit, epoxy floors can be pretty intimidating considering their upscale look and incredible durability. But just because they offer these benefits and that sought after WOW factor doesn’t mean they are unattainable. 

As we previously noted, epoxy floors are long-lasting which means you won’t be shelling out tons of cash for repairs and maintenance. 

When you look at this as a long-term investment you’re actually saving money in the long run; Not to mention increasing the value of the property. When you do your research you’ll find that epoxy floors are also significantly more cost effective than other floor types. 

The problem people will often face is that they decide on a cheaper flooring solution which inevitably requires more maintenance and repairs. You end up paying more over time. 

Think of it like shopping at Costco. It might seem steep to pay $19.99 for paper towels, but it’s a whole lot nicer to not have to go running back to Walmart in a week for more and paying double for even less rolls.

“Who needs epoxy? I’ll just apply paint to the floors. It’ll look the same and cost way less!”

You’d think that were the case, but this is highly inaccurate. Even though both of these products may create a similar look when applied, they are indeed very different from one another. 

For starters epoxy is superior in adhesion in comparison to paint. Paint dries, whereas epoxy cures which creates a much harder and durable surface. Paint simply won’t be able to protect the floor from abrasions, chemicals, bacteria, oil, grease and spills the way epoxy will. 

Paint just doesn’t live up to epoxy’s ability to bond to the substrate making it a very costly mistake to apply instead of epoxy. 

“I’ll just save my money and install the epoxy flooring myself! What could go wrong?”

It may be tempting to skip out on the labor costs of epoxy floor installation and just do it yourself with the help of the many DIY YouTube videos out there, but let us stop you right there before you go making a VERY costly mistake. I know what you’re thinking. 

hard can it be? All I need to do is mix up the products listed in the video and apply to my concrete garage floor, right? Seemingly yes, but there’s far more that goes into it than that. For starters, only the most experienced epoxy floor installation crew understands that each floor is different, each with their own set of detailed challenges.

 An experienced epoxy floor crew will meticulously prepare and prime the floor for installation (which can often be rather tedious) making sure the product can be applied properly. Without proper priming and preparation, you could end up with discolorations, uneven surfaces or little bubbles in the product making for a sloppy, unprofessional finished look.

 Professional epoxy floors installers also have access to professional grade products which are much higher quality than the products you’ll get in the DIY kits you have at your local Home Depot. Low quality product = Low quality floor. High quality product = High quality floor. It’s really pretty simple when you look at it that way. 

“Epoxy floors only make sense in warehouses and industrial facilities. Why would I use this flooring solution in my home?”

Yes, epoxy floors do make a fantastic choice for warehouses, commercial and industrial facilities due to their extreme durability and ability to withstand heavy loads, harsh chemicals and high heat. But believe it or not, the versatility that epoxy coating provides has made it a very popular choice for many residential surfaces including garage floors, basement floors, outdoor cement patios and walkways and even kitchen countertops! 

First of all, let’s be real. A well-done epoxy coating is beautiful to look at. Because of the many colors and patterns you have to choose from you can radically upgrade the look of your residential space. In addition to the aesthetic appeal, the practicality is tough to beat. Here in the Lehigh Valley many people get stuck dealing with water damage and leaks during heavy down pours. Our humid summers also make having a dehumidifier a must.

With an epoxy floor you can eliminate the head aches that come along with dealing with these types of issues. Since epoxy coating is water resistant, any water that enters the garage or basement will sit right on top of the floor without seeping in making it a breeze to remove with a shop vac. 

Another huge perk of epoxy floors in the home is the ability to easily wipe them clean. When epoxy is poured onto a properly prepared surface, you won’t have to deal with any ridges, cracks or seems the way you would with tile or hard wood. 

The flat, seamless surface makes them a dream to clean. Their resistance to spills, stains, germs and bacteria make them a very desirable choice for a finished basement where the kids might spend most of their play time. 

With regular sweeping and mopping the floors will stay clean and looking beautiful at all times. 

Perhaps the most significant benefit yet is that these floors typically last up to 10 years! Talk about low maintenance! 

So there you have it folks. We busted several of the myths circulating around about epoxy floors. A professionally installed epoxy floor truly has the potential to completely transform and revitalize your residential, commercial or industrial space. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you may still have about epoxy floors. We’d be happy to discuss your options with you and help you decide if an epoxy floor is the right choice for you!

Epoxy Countertops Are Durable

 Epoxy countertops are very durable , long-lasting and stylish alternative to traditional granite, quartz, or laminate countertops.

At Ryan Amato Painting we are pleased to announce this new service using Leggari epoxy products

They’re made from two layers: the exterior layer is typically a durable high-gloss polyester that resists chipping and scratching, while the interior layer is epoxy resin that provides a solid surface for food prep and cleaning.

Epoxy countertops are stain-resistant. They are available in a variety of colors and patterns, and they have the added benefit of easily being able to match or complement your existing tile or stone.

The advantages of this type of countertop, though, go beyond good looks! Read on to learn about the advantages of epoxy over other choices in countertops.

Practical Advantages of Epoxy Countertops Epoxy countertops are almost indestructible. Epoxy resin is known for its durability, and epoxy countertops are a great choice for households that do a lot of cooking, cleaning, and scrubbing.

Heat won’t damage the surface or affect its color, and acidic materials like lemon juice won’t damage the countertop.

The surface is resistant to scratches, heat, chemicals, and abrasion as well. Epoxy countertops are a kitchen workhorse.

If you enjoy cooking and want something that will last a long time, epoxy countertops could be a great option for you because of their level of durability.

Epoxy Countertops Are Durable

Epoxy countertops can be customized. Homeowners who like to personalize their home décor can choose from a wide array of colors and patterns.

Epoxy countertops are durable, long lasting and easily maintained

They can also choose whether they want the top or bottom layer more textured or shiny.

Epoxy is a great alternative to traditional stone and other material counter­tops when you’re looking for durability, resistance to scratches and stains, and a natural look.

Epoxy countertops are worth it if you want something that will last. All of the cleaning, cooking, and food prep tasks on your kitchen table can be done with ease knowing that you have such a durable surface.

Price Alone Does Not Make A Great Epoxy Floor

Why Simply Getting A Price Is Wrong 

When getting information and pricing for your epoxy floor project we sometimes simply have people tell us " I have a two car garage"How much will my floor be?

While we wish it was this easy and many companies will simply throw pricing around this is not a professional or accurate way to give a proposal for your epoxy floor.

There are many factors such as what's currently on the floor? How much patching will you need on your garage floor? Thue products and look you want? 

This is not your typical paint job , anyway even if everyone used the same products, same application the prices would never be the same. Your forgetting about level of service, a real warranty for your epoxy floor. Are they local?

You have to answer many questions and much more than how much will the floor be.

Please listen to our weekly show where we went deep into this topic

Listen Here

So you would like an epoxy floor

Getting an epoxy floor is not an easy task, finding the right painter, epoxy company is hard to say the least. Doing it yourself is possible but not probable using professional products.

So what does a homeowner do? Watch our video above for more information on getting an epoxy floor for your garage or business.

If you are looking for an experienced Northampton & Lehigh County painter then please call (484) 821-7112

Top Mistakes To Avoid With Epoxy Floors

When Having an epoxy floor done in your garage, home or business there are many things that can go wrong.

Top mistakes with epoxy floor install

A few issues are untrained technicians, this is not a job for the normal painter as epoxy has all different curing times, application methods and must be done correctly and as per the manufacturers specifications.

Lack of knowledge on the preparation of the surface is another huge issue and where we usually see failures such as peeling, blistering and more. Not knowing what the proper csp (concrete surface profile) should be for the product and surface your are applying the epoxy to can be a recipe for disaster.

I have seen countless times contractors grinding floors or after inspecting failures facilities and businesses tell me “I saw them grinding” that are not even close to being correctly prepared, in actuality they polished the floors and made it worse through improperly grinding the floor.

Just because you see or hear someone say they are grinding does not mean they are doing it correctly, ask them what csp profile they are achieving and see if they know the answer.

What products are being used? Again if you go out to dinner and order a steak, you know there are many different grades, suppliers and they way it is cooked, this all affects the taste and price of that steak dinner. The same goes with epoxy, when you hear buzz words like polyaspartic, 100%solids that can mean anything and any grade, you can certainly buy a cheap and worthless 100% solid epoxy that just is not the same quality as another.

A typical homeowner will not be able to tell or see a difference until they have to re do their floor much, much sooner than expected. Heck you may not see any difference at all. It is hard to tell one floor from the next and the internet doesn’t help much with the proper information of real world epoxy floor installation.

The kits from the big box stores are just not the same high grade epoxy used by professional contractors, they are made to be easier to apply for the normal homeowner, with some professional epoxies and urethane’s, once mixed we may only have 15 minutes to get it on the floor. So when purchasing those kits remember cost vs value, yes it will be much less expensive to do it yourself now, but the time it takes you to do it you could of spent doing other things and the matter of having it last will certainly cost you more in the long run

If you are looking for an experienced Northampton & Lehigh County painter then please call 484-821-7112

Metallic Epoxy Samples

Metallic Epoxy

If you have not heard of metallic epoxy you will soon in our area.

In other parts of the country metallic epoxy is used inside people's homes, in kitchens, on the entire first floor, in garages, stores and more.

It offers a very unique and custom element to any area and brings the wow factor to the space it is used in. WIth any epoxy however you have to know what you're doing and be able to follow very specific details when applying this product.

With metallic epoxy it is very creative and artistic so it does not mean any person can do it, you have to make adjustments on the fly, no two floors or applications will ever be the same for this reason and we prefer to have one person working on the floor at least in the final creative portion otherwise you will end up with two different techniques, this also can be fine too as it is custom.

It is hard to match certain looks on sample pieces unless the person doing the sample also does the application. Many things go into the final look, the base coat, the lighting of the room and the reflection of those lights can also change the look not to mention the metallic pigments will also change, the way your application looks the first day is not what it will look like the next.

Here you can see we had an old table lying around so why not coat it with metallic epoxy?

 We used Armorpoxy of New Jersey high solid epoxy clear along with metallic pigments., at first you can see we disbursed the epoxy with alcohol but then decided to go over it, we added blue highlights with epoxy and white using a spray can and then hand created the final look. You can contact us for any epoxy project you have in mind, we would love to take a look at it