Top 10 Questions About Polyaspartic Garage Floor Coatings

So, you’ve decided to renew your garage floor, and you’ve decided to go with a polyaspartic coating. That’s a good thing; polyaspartic floor coatings offer the best combination of durability and speed of installation of any of the many options out there. Plus, they’ve been around for decades, so you know they’re legit. But, you may still have some questions. Here are the ones people most frequently ask.

1. Can I Do It Myself?
   This is a big one. The answer is, of course, you can; there are DIY polyaspartic kits out there. But the real question is, should you. The thing is, polyaspartics, while extremely long-wearing, can be somewhat tricky to install. That’s because they require a perfectly prepared surface to adhere properly. And, most people just don’t have the expertise or professional equipment required to do it right. We recommend professional installation to achieve professional results.
2. Is It Expensive?
   Polyaspartic floor coatings typically do cost more than some DIY methods, but the results are undoubtedly superior. Plus, many coatings — especially if they’re installed by the homeowner — crack and peel in just a few years. This means you’ll have to pull everything out of the garage and do it again. After a few rounds of this, the cheap route may not be so cheap after all.
3. My Floor Is Rough (or New). Can I Skip the Surface Prep?
   The answer is no, you really shouldn’t skip the surface preparation. In order for a polyaspartic coating to adhere properly (and last for many years), the surface needs to be scarified using an industrial walk-behind grinder. This gives it an even, roughed-up surface for the base-coat to adhere to. Plus, the floor then needs to be cleaned and vacuumed so there’s absolutely no dust or debris.
4. My Floor Is Cracked. Does That Need to Be Addressed?
   Yes, we highly recommend sealing concrete cracks before coating your garage floor. A successful outcome hinges on a clean, smooth, well-prepared surface.
5. What About Uneven Concrete?
   Just as cracks should be repaired, so too should uneven or sunken concrete. If concrete isn’t first stabilized and lifted to an even level, it can further sink, which can then cause the coating to crack over time.
6. How Long Before I Can Use My Garage?
   One of the best things about polyaspartic coatings is, they only take a day to install and cure in 24 hours. That means you should be able to use your garage the very next day! Epoxy and polyurethane coatings can take up to a week to cure properly, during which time, your garage will be off-limits.
7. Are All Polyaspartic Coatings the Same?
   That’s a great question. While the basic technology may be the same, the exact formulations aren’t. For instance, the SparTek™ garage floor coating system from Supportworks® is specifically formulated to be more durable than other polyaspartics. But any polyaspartic will be superior to polyurethane or epoxy.
8. Can’t I Just Lay Down Some Heavy-Duty Concrete Paint?
   Yes, of course — if you don’t mind it peeling in a few months. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with polyaspartic coatings. In fact, just about anything will be more durable than plain old paint. The question you should ask is, how good do you want your garage to look and for how long?
9. What is “Hot-Tire Peel?”
   Hot-tire peel (sometimes called hot-tire pickup) happens when the tires of your car become heated to a high temperature, often after being driven for some time at highway speeds. This heat then causes the garage floor coating to stick to the tires and peel when the car is next moved. This typically happens with lesser coatings like paint, epoxy, and polyurethane.
10. How Should I Prepare for Installation?
    One of the side-benefits of a new garage floor coating is, it requires you to clear out your garage and clean the floor. This is a great opportunity to organize tools, dispose of unwanted items and to generally de-clutter your garage. Ideally, when the crew arrives, your garage should be an empty room or at least have nothing on the floor.