Use and Care Manual
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
My concrete is relatively new, do I still need to clean the floor before applying ArmorPoxy?
● Yes, construction dust, drywall paste, and paint splatters can affect the bond. Lime, which is an ingredient of
concrete, floats to the top while it cures and must be treated. Scrape foreign substances from the floor and then
clean the floor with the etching solution. This is a mandatory step. Skipping the prep step can cause failures.
My floor is newly-poured, how long do I have to wait?
● Normally a slab needs 30 days to cure. It can be less or more depending on conditions. Perform a moisture test as
indicated in the above instructions.
Do I have to remove old coatings or paint before I apply ArmorPoxy?
● Yes. Pre-existing coatings need to be mechanically removed prior to use of the ArmorPoxy’s epoxy kit. The epoxy
kit may form a bond on these surfaces (if left untreated) that is stronger than the bond of the old coating on the
concrete. This could cause the old coating to pull away from the concrete, leaving an uncoated area. Leaving old
coatings untreated can cause flooring failure due to entrapment of moisture. If you are unable to remove the old
coating then please contact ArmorPoxy for recommendations on what to do next. Any previous coating remaining
must be sanded or roughed up for proper adhesion. In addition, previously coated floors should be primed with the
optional ArmorPoxy Epoxy Primer to even out porosity and to assure an even finish. Contact ArmorPoxy to
purchase. Failure to adhere to this can cause coating failure.
I have stains on my concrete caused by the tires of my car. Do these areas have to receive special treatment before
coating?
● Tires contain chemicals that leach into the concrete over time. Residual ‘tire shine’ from car washes also resists
coatings. If too many of these substances are trapped in the concrete, then the epoxy kit will not adhere to them
and it won’t stick. These dark areas should be sanded with a rough sanding pad, scrubbed with a wire brush, and
then etched using the supplied Powdered Etch Concentrate. Make sure to rinse and wash the floor thoroughly
before coating with new materials.
I may have a clear sealer on my floor. How can I determine if I need extra surface prep?
● The easiest way to determine this is to sprinkle water on the questionable areas of your floor. If the water beads,
you have a foreign substance that must be removed. Sanding or etching can be used to rectify this problem. Also
diluted muriatic acid has been shown to help as well. Test again with water to assure proper sealant removal.
Repeat as necessary until no water beading occurs.
I think I may have a moisture problem, how do I determine that?
● To test for moisture before you coat, use duct tape to tape down a sheet of 4’ x 4’ clear plastic. Tape down all 4
sides completely. Wait 24 hours. Check for moisture buildup under the plastic. If moisture builds up then moisture is
present in the floor. Contact ArmorPoxy immediately for next steps before applying new coatings.
Can I apply multiple coats of ArmorPoxy over a period of time?
● Yes, no special surface prep is required if the additional coats are applied within 1 day. If a longer period goes by,
then the area should be sanded lightly to create a rougher surface to which the epoxy kit can adhere to.
Do I really need to add the anti-slip aggregate to the glaze coat?
● Any coated surface, especially a high quality smooth surface, can be slippery when wet or when exposed to oils
and grease. As a safety feature, we highly recommend that the anti-slip aggregate be added to the final coat.
I have some cracks in my floor. Should I fill these in before applying the ArmorPoxy?
● Filling the cracks may yield a smoother, more aesthetically pleasing floor since any liquid coating will not fill in
cracks 100%. If you have cracks, our Epoxy Crack Filler kit works very well for hairline and smaller cracks.
Urethane or epoxy caulks may also be used. Another idea is to hide the cracks with the decorative chips. Do not
use silicone-type caulks or fillers, as they will resist the epoxy.
How long should I wait between coats and when can I use my garage after final application?
● We recommend waiting overnight between coats. Once the final coat is applied you can put your belongings back
on the floor the following day when the floor is cured enough to walk on. Vehicular traffic and heavy
equipment/storage units should wait 4-5 days before being brought back onto the floor.
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