We get asked this question regularly. There are some internet-based sellers who claim that you don’t need to put on a clear topcoat over their epoxy. We at Armorpoxy don’t agree. They say this to reduce the price of their product. The real answer is that a clear topcoat is required. Our ArmorClad clear topcoat is a special water-clear urethane-type coating that helps to prevent yellowing (all epoxies can discolor from UV, topcoating slows this process down significantly) like other epoxies and includes our special Armor Grip Non Skid additive, as a clear coating can make the floor more slippery. If discoloration from high sun exposure is of concern, please see our SPGX Polyurea since Polyureas do not yellow. Our Armor Grip non-skid additive is not like competitors ‘sand’ or aluminum oxide that you can see in the clear coat and wears out fast. Also in environments where winter road salts and chemicals are used, topcoating is mandatory as these chemicals can harm any non-protected surface over time. Don’t be misled by other company’s statements that a clear topcoat is never required. Also where the floor gets dirty, the height of the decorative chips can ‘hold dirt’ around their edges unless these edges are sealed with topcoat. What do you think, isn’t a protected floor better than a non-protected floor? Why do you think that the car manufacturers ALWAYS clear coat new automobiles? For customers who absolutely don’t want a topcoat, we do offer kits without the topcoat at a reduced price.
We offer our topcoats in two versions, our standard one-part topcoat which is great for general parking, storage, and road conditions, and in as our 2-part Military Grade Topcoat which is the same topcoat sold to car dealers and aircraft repair facilities, and is much more resistant to solvents, fuels, acids, and oils. If your surface will see these types of fluids, we suggest using the 2-part topcoat.
Any surface can and will wear over time so topcoats act as a ‘sacrificial’ surface which may need to be re-applied in the future based on usage, care, weather, etc.