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Optimal Flooring Solutions for Automotive Workshops
1/31/
A cutting-edge polyaspartic floor coating has been successfully applied in this automotive workshop!
The newly installed polyaspartic floor coating performed exceptionally well in this auto shop!
This flooring solution boasts chemical resistance against various automotive fluids and solvents, making it ideal for an automotive setting!
Designed to withstand the rigors of automotive work, this floor coating can resist most solvents and automotive fluids!
High Solids Polyaspartic/Polyurea and Epoxy coatings are recognized as the top choices for automotive shop flooring.
For optimal results, High Solids Polyaspartic/Polyurea and Epoxy coatings stand out as the preferred options.
Exemplary Garage Workshop Flooring - Milford, DE
Consider this impressive example of a garage workshop floor, closely resembling an auto mechanic shop floor. The central workshop area measured approximately 30'x40', equating to a significant floor space. Our experts even treated the restroom floor! Slide-Lok of the Eastern Shore executed this commercial floor installation in Milford, Delaware. This commercial area functions as a vehicle wrap center, adding new colors and branding to various vehicles, including small cars, trailers, and even semi-trucks. The floor was meticulously prepped: all cracks were sealed with a polyurethane crack filler, followed by diamond grinding the concrete surface. Subsequently, three layers of polyaspartic coating, tuxedo vinyl chips, and a non-slip gripping agent were applied. Remarkably, this installation was completed in just one day, thanks to our high-performance polyaspartic coatings.
Polyaspartic vs. Epoxy: Understanding the Best Choice for Garage Floors
Commonly, we get inquiries regarding "What is the top garage floor coating or epoxy for an auto mechanic shop?" The answer lies in the perspective that there isn't a singular Best product, as each flooring type comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. Our two most sought-after floor coatings are our High Solids Polyaspartic / Polyurea and 100% Solids Epoxy. When strategically considering the pros and cons of both options, both Polyaspartic and Epoxy can be regarded as leading choices for garage floor coatings. Critical elements to consider while selecting the most suitable floor coating include:
note: click on the boxes below to see a dropdown.
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How soon can you drive or move items back on the floor after installation?
Polyaspartic
24 hours after the last coat.
Epoxy
7 days after the last coat.
The WINNER: Polyaspartic / Polyurea floor coatings
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Will the floor coating yellow in the Sun? (Is it UV resistant?)
Polyaspartic
Our high solids aliphatic polyaspartic floor coating boasts exceptional UV stability. The aliphatic nature of polyurea provides remarkable chemical and UV resistance.
Epoxy
Most epoxies are not resistant to yellowing and exhibit inadequate UV stability. Don't be misled by marketing terms from other flooring companies. While some epoxy hardeners or amines demonstrate UV stability, the aromatic nature of epoxy resins makes them vulnerable to UV degradation over time.
The WINNER: Polyaspartic / Polyurea floor coatings
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How resistant is the floor coating to chemicals?
Polyaspartic
Exhibits excellent chemical resistance against a wide range of substances, including gasoline and oil.
Epoxy
Most epoxies provide reliable chemical resistance against household and industrial chemicals.
The WINNER: Polyaspartic / polyurea coatings. Epoxies hold a close second.
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What is the expected lifespan of the floor?
The durability will largely depend on the volume of traffic the floor experiences. An auto mechanic shop that accommodates 30 vehicles daily will naturally wear down more than a household garage with just two vehicles.
Polyaspartic
Demonstrates 3-4 times more abrasion resistance compared to epoxy.
Are you interested in learning more about automotive shop flooring? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
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Epoxy
Recognized for its remarkable hardness, but tends to wear out faster than polyaspartics.
The WINNER: Polyaspartic / Polyurea floor coatings.
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Is the floor liable to hot tire pickup?
Polyaspartic/polyureas and epoxies utilize advanced crosslinking technology, offering remarkable chemical resistance, impact durability, tensile strength, cohesive strength, and adhesion to concrete. The hot tire pickup phenomenon occurs primarily on floors sealed with acrylic, which are less stable during expansion and contraction caused by tire temperature changes. This issue is less prevalent with polyaspartic coatings.
Polyaspartic
With the correct floor preparation and application, hot tire pickup is unlikely to occur.
Epoxy
With the correct floor preparation and application, hot tire pickup is unlikely to occur.
The WINNER: Tie
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What is the cost comparison?
As with anything, performance comes at a price. Polyaspartic is akin to a high-end sports car, while epoxy is comparable to an affordable pickup truck. As a newer technology, Polyaspartic generally comes at a higher cost than epoxy, which has established itself as a durable and cost-effective solution over the last three decades.
Polyaspartic
Costs approximately twice as much as epoxy. Represents a lesser market share in flooring materials compared to epoxy.
- 1 Day Garage Floor Installation
- Ready for use 24 hours later
- Exceptional Chemical Resistance
- 4x More Abrasion Resistant
Epoxy
Easier on the wallet compared to this newer technology. Accounts for a larger market share due to its affordability and reliability.
- 2-3 Days for Garage Floor Installation
- Ready for use 7 days later
- Good Chemical Resistance
- Good hardness
The WINNER: Epoxy is cheaper, yet does not perform as well as polyaspartic.
Ultimately, the best garage floor coating aligns perfectly with your specific requirements. Given the quality of both Epoxy and Polyaspartic, the decision hinges on personal preferences and practical constraints.
If you seek our guidance, feel free to reach out via phone or email to discuss your flooring expectations. We could suggest a specific option or a blend of both. Numerous flooring experts recommend utilizing epoxy for the primer and mid-coat while finishing with polyaspartic, balancing cost-effectiveness and optimal performance for your garage.
Regardless of the chosen chemistry, we emphasize the importance of proper floor preparation, utilizing a diamond grinder or shot blasting equipment for optimal surface profiling. Many flooring failures stem from inadequate preparation, leading to subpar adhesion of the coating. Should you have any inquiries, Slide-Lok's knowledgeable team of flooring specialists is ready to assist you nationwide.
So what are you waiting for? Acquire your FREE ESTIMATE today: Contact Slide-Lok Garage Interiors.
About The Author
Samuel Strayer is a practiced chemist holding a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Arizona State University, focusing on material and polymer science. Samuel has spent over a decade developing and assessing various coating systems.
Keywords: commercial, floor, coatings, epoxy, polyaspartic, polyurea, polyurethane, flooring, auto, mechanic, workshop, best, delaware, milford, delmarva,
© Copyright, , Slide-Lok (DBA), Mirabel Coatings Inc.
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