Revitalizing your flooring with a fresh coat requires proper surface preparation to ensure optimal adhesion of the epoxy. Here are a few techniques you can employ:
One method involves using 120-grit sandpaper on an orbital sander or a pole sander. The goal is to roughen up the surface rather than remove it entirely. After sanding, the surface should appear deglossed.
Once you've completed the sanding process, remove any debris and thoroughly vacuum the entire floor using a shop vac. To ensure cleanliness, take a small towel soaked in denatured alcohol and wipe down the entire surface. The denatured alcohol will effectively eliminate fine dust particles, evaporate quickly, and leave the surface spotless.
Another option is to utilize a floor maintainer (buffer) equipped with a 100-grit sanding screen. These devices are often available for affordable rental at your local home improvement center, with the option to purchase the sanding screens as well.
Using this method can save time and cover a larger floor area if you have extensive square footage to prepare. Periodically inspect the sanding screen for signs of wear or clogging during the process. Once you finish, vacuum the floor and use denatured alcohol as described in the previous sanding method.
If you aim to revitalize an older clear coat, it's advisable to start by using 80-100 grit sandpaper or a 60-80 grit sanding screen to remove a thin layer of the existing coating. This step helps eliminate deeper scratches and embedded dirt that may have marred the finish.
Likewise, if you have a well-adhered but worn coating with areas where the coating has worn through to the concrete, the more aggressive grit will ensure proper preparation of the bare concrete as well.
The process of floor preparation, as described, is relatively swift. Once you've wiped down the floor with denatured alcohol, you're ready to apply a new coat of epoxy or the floor coating of your choice.