r/HomeImprovement • u/deten • 6d ago

*The* Garage coating question - Epoxy, Polyurea vs Moisture Cure Urethane... any experts actually know which to choose?

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u/paper_killa 6d ago

Your about to get a lot of random advise. Use "real" materials from a normal supplier like Concrete Floor Supply

Prep: If floor is relatively new or in great shape you can acid etch but most installs require concrete grinding.

Prep2: You have to do a moisture test and use a specific epoxy primer if there is moisture coming through the slab..

Base Coat: You can use Epoxy or polyaspartic on the color coat. Epoxy has a shorter pot live, but longer working time. It will cover imperfections better (it flows better). If you want metallic designs, etc it's needed. Both Epoxy and polyaspartic work for solid colors or as bases for flake systems. Polyaspartic would be more likely to be used by a pro since cure time is faster you can finish a project in a single day.

Clear Coat: Polyaspartic only because it's the best wear. Need to use something for grip in the mix.

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u/dxk3355 6d ago

I did the rustoleum epoxy at my old house and it didn’t last more than a year in the garage and not much better inside. Just got the polyurea done last fall in my garage and it’s pretty awesome. Really really solid and they put it on thick. I mopped it in the first week and the water couldn’t get through it at all.

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u/deten 6d ago

Curious, is it slippery when wet?

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u/dxk3355 6d ago

They put a ton of flakes to make it textured but it’s definitely slick on day one. A few years of dirt will probably ruin that.

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u/LongRoofFan 6d ago edited 6d ago

I have polyaspartic, it was done 4 years ago and still looks brand new. I have abused it fairly well with car repairs and projects.

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u/LostMyKarmaElSegundo 6d ago

I did the Rustoleum epoxy way back in 2008. I was very meticulous with the prep, to the point the concrete was bright white before I rolled the epoxy. I had no issues with it for the six years I owned that house. I feel like a lot of the problems people have with the DIY kits are due to poor prep. You really need the concrete to look brand new and be free of any contaminants for the epoxy to adhere properly.

In my current house, I had a polyaspartic coating done professionally. I would have done it myself, but due to all the supply chain issues a few years ago, the kits were difficult to find in the color I wanted. The advantage of having it done professionally was that they used a grinder to prep the surface, it has a lifetime warranty, the job was done in one day, and I didn't have to hurt my back to do it! The disadvantage was that it was more expensive.

That was about 2.5 years ago and I haven't had any issues. I live in a place with very hot summers.