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Why should I coat my floor?
Good question, but a better one is “Why not coat your garage floor?” Not only does SUPERCOAT™ make your floor look like a showroom, but it also protects the concrete from stains and makes cleaning the floor very easy, but most importantly, SUPERCOAT™ makes your garage a part of your home that can be utilized as additional space when needed. Imagine what your garage could be!
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My concrete is relatively new. Do I still need to clean the floor before applying SUPERCOAT™?
Yes. Construction dust, dry wall paste and paint splatters can affect the bond. Scrape foreign substances off the floor and then clean the floor with the degreaser/cleaner. Wire brushing or sanding may be needed for severe contamination.
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How long do I have to wait to apply SUPERCOAT™ to freshly poured concrete?
Because SUPERCOAT™ is a waterborne epoxy, it can be applied 28 days after the concrete is poured, however, the longer you can wait to let the concrete cure, the better your results will be.
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Will SUPERCOAT™ work on old concrete?
Absolutely. Of course, how well it works depends upon how well you prepare your concrete (see below).
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Do I have to remove old coatings or paint before I apply SUPERCOAT™?
Yes. The SUPERCOAT™ epoxy may form a bond on these surfaces that is stronger than the bond of the paint or old coating on the concrete surface. This could cause the old coating to pull away from the concrete, leaving an uncoated area. Also, SUPERCOAT™ is a waterborne product that breathes. The old coatings probably are not. Leaving them on could cause failure due to entrapment of moisture vapor in the concrete.
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I have parked in my garage for some time. Do these areas have to receive special treatment before coating?
Yes. Tires contain chemicals that leach into the concrete over time. If too much of these foreign substances are trapped in the concrete, SUPERCOAT™ will adhere to them and will not stick to the concrete. These areas should be scrubbed with a wire brush and the degreaser/cleaner, rinsed thoroughly and sanded with a rough sanding pad.
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Other products recommend acid etching the concrete. Do you?
More experienced installers may choose to use a light mixture of muriatic acid and water or an industrial cleaning agent on problem areas. Special safety precautions must be followed when using the muriatic acid or any chemical treatment. However, SUPERCOAT™ does not require acid etching, so we recommend simply scrubbing with the enclosed detergent / de-greaser unless special conditions are present, such as stained or highly-polished concrete.
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I may have a clear sealer on my floor. How can I determine if I need extra surface preparation?
The easiest test is to sprinkle water on the questionable areas of your floor. If the water beads, you have a foreign substance that must be removed. See Special Conditions.
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A storm was brewing and I had to park on my new SUPERCOAT™ floor one day after it was finished. My tires were dirty and they left stains and some of the coating came off the floor. How can I fix these areas?
Unfortunately, you parked on the floor before it was fully cured and the stains may have been dried into the coatings. First try to clean the areas with a mild soap, water and a scrub brush. If this does not remove the stains satisfactorily, you will need to sand the affected areas and apply a new coat of SUPERCOAT™, flakes and glaze coat to these areas.
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Can I apply multiple coats of SUPERCOAT™ over a period of time?
Yes. Special surface preparation is not needed if the additional coats are applied within five days. If it has been a longer period, the area should be sanded lightly to dull the finish and create a rougher surface to which the SUPERCOAT™ can adhere. In most cases, one coat of SUPERCOAT™ is sufficient to produce great coverage and a rich finish. In some cases, where the concrete is exceptionally rough or old, two coats will provide a stronger, deeper finish. We always recommend two coats for dark colors, such as red or blue. Second coats can be applied as soon as the surface is dry to the touch and not tacky.
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Do I really need to include the anti-slip aggregate in the SUPERCOAT™ or Glaze Coat?
Any coated surface, especially a high quality, smooth surface like SUPERCOAT’s, is slippery when wet. The anti-slip aggregate is a safety feature that we highly recommend for the final coat of SUPERCOAT™ or Glaze Coat. Your floor will still be easy to clean.
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I am going to apply the decorative flakes. Should I apply a coat of Glaze Coat over the flakes?
We highly recommend the use of Glaze Coat over all floors. This not only adds to the shine and life of the floor, it also makes cleaning even easier and protects the decorative flakes.
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I have some unsightly cracks in my floor. Should I fill these before applying SUPERCOAT™?
Filling the cracks may yield a smoother, more beautiful floor. A paintable caulk is appropriate for filling cracks. Be certain the caulk is fully cured before you apply the SUPERCOAT™. Use only enough caulk to fill the crack. Remove excess caulk.
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Will SUPERCOAT™ keep my floor from cracking in the future?
No, SUPERCOAT™ does not prevent cracking, however, the decorative flakes do a good job of camouflaging minor cracks and imperfections in the concrete.
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Can I apply SUPERCOAT™ on wood?
SUPERCOAT™ was designed for concrete and metal surfaces, but it will adhere to wood, much like a very good outdoor paint. Keep in mind, if the wood cracks, SUPERCOAT™ will crack with it.
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Can I use SUPERCOAT™ on my patio, too?
SUPERCOAT™ can stand up to the heat of summer, the freezing in winter and rain year ‘round, however, one of the characteristics of epoxy is that it “chalks” in UV light. This means that the coating loses some of its luster due to direct sunlight. Apply SUPERCOAT™ outdoors with this in mind. Application of SUPERCOAT™ Clear Glaze will reduce the effects of chalking, but the color will continue to fade or slightly yellow. Always use the anti-slip aggregate in outdoor settings that are likely to become wet.
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Can SUPERCOAT™ be applied to vertical surfaces, such as basement walls?
Absolutely. SUPERCOAT™ will not sag, so basements, storm shelters, wine vaults, etc. are ideal application areas. It is more stain resistant and much easier to clean than paint.
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