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Showing posts from July, 2023

Tools Needed to Prep a Floor

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  Prepping a concrete floor for an epoxy project requires a specific set of tools to ensure proper adhesion and a smooth application. Here are the main tools commonly used for this process: 1.         Concrete Grinder : A concrete grinder equipped with diamond grinding discs is used to remove surface imperfections, old coatings, and create a rough texture for better epoxy adhesion. Different grits of discs are used to achieve varying levels of surface roughness. 2.         Diamond Sanding Pads : These pads can be attached to a handheld grinder and are used for finer surface preparation, smoothing rough spots, and refining the surface after initial grinding. 3.         Pressure Washer : A pressure washer with appropriate attachments is used to thoroughly clean the concrete surface, removing dust, dirt, grease, and contaminants. High-pressure water helps ensure a clean and debris-free surface. 4.         Broom and Dustpan : A broom and dustpan are used to sweep away debris, dirt,

Prepping a Floor

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Preparing a concrete floor properly before applying epoxy is crucial for ensuring a strong bond, smooth finish, and lasting results. Here are some tips and steps to follow when prepping a concrete floor for an epoxy project: 1. Clean the Surface: Sweep and vacuum the floor to remove dust, dirt, and debris. Use a degreaser or concrete cleaner to remove any oil, grease, or stains. Scrub stubborn stains with a stiff brush. Rinse the floor thoroughly with water to ensure there's no residue left. 2. Test for Moisture: Conduct a moisture test to determine if there's excess moisture in the concrete. High moisture levels can affect epoxy adhesion and cause issues later on. 3. Repair Cracks and Holes: Fill any cracks or holes in the concrete using an epoxy filler or a concrete patching compound. Make sure the repairs are level with the surrounding surface. 4. Etch the Surface: Etching is important for creating a rough surface that enhances epoxy adhesion. Use a concrete etching

Tools Needed to Throw Epoxy

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 When working with epoxy, there are several essential tools and equipment that are commonly used to ensure proper mixing, application, and curing. Here are the main tools you'll need when throwing epoxy: 1.         Safety Gear : Before anything else, prioritize safety. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety goggles, and a respirator to protect yourself from potential fumes and skin contact. 2.         Mixing Containers : Use clean, disposable containers for mixing epoxy resin and hardener. These containers should be graduated with measurement markings to ensure accurate mixing ratios. 3.         Stir Sticks : Use plastic or wooden stir sticks to thoroughly mix the epoxy components. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the container to ensure complete mixing. 4.         Measuring Tools : To achieve the correct epoxy-to-hardener ratio, precision is key. Use graduated measuring cups or syringes to measure the epoxy resin and hardener accurat

Mixing Epoxy Correctly

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Hello guys its Alan back with some more useful tips. Today i will be explaining the importance of mixing your epoxy correctly. Now you may be wondering how to do just that and the way to ensure your epoxy is mixed correctly is by mixing it for at least 4-5 minutes in the bucket before pouring. The reason that is because most epoxies are 2-part epoxy and 1 part resin giving a 2:1 epoxy to resin ration the resin is a chemical that needs to be mixed properly so that it blends in with the epoxy the way it should. What happens if the epoxy is mixed poorly and not for the adequate amount of time? The epoxy that you use will all be a waste as the product will not cure properly and instead of drying and being 100 % solid, the epoxy will remain soft as the resin did not blend with the epoxy to form one new material together. This type of mistake can often look like the picture below. Several spots that can come up easily which should be extremely hard and solid.

The Importance of a Clean Work Station

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 When working with epoxy resin many people make sure they maintain a clean work environment due to the mess that a cured resin can potentially bring not to mention the chemical burns it can give our skin. The most important thing in having your workstation and tools clean is to always have your isopropyl alcohol 91% or higher ready to spray on your tools after use to quickly wipe off the resin before it gets dry and cured. For example, if i throw epoxy on a floor and use my squeegee to spread it around but leave it for an hour unattended without wiping down the squeegee will be ruined as the resin will have begun to dry and will be very tough to remove. Another important step to take into consideration is always using brown paper underneath the resin buckets to ensure that spillage doesn't stain a part of a floor that is not supposed to be worked on. The last thing you want is to leave your work area and see that there are drops of resin on the floors, and you have no alcohol to cl

Learning The Basics of Working With Epoxy Resin

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 Hello to everyone and thank you for coming to my blog. My name is Alan Garcia and in this blog I will be teaching my audience the most important and most basic rules that need to be followed if looking to get a job done correctly when working with epoxy resin. I started looking into epoxy resin a little over a year ago as i was intrigued by the work of art that the finished product produced. Almost immediately i started looking at tutorial videos on how to do these projects and finally I decided challenge myself and take a class to learn a new skill. After doing so I was highly motivated to keep doing more projects and fell in love with the process of working with epoxy material. I plan to share all the useful information I have learned over the past year so that you can save yourself the trouble from having to learn from ruining material and wasting money. Below is an example of a small canvas I worked on during my first ever epoxy resin class