Application technology
Before proceeding to the direct application of the coloring agent to the floor surface, several preparatory steps must be taken. More about them will be discussed in the following chapters.
Before proceeding to the direct application of the coloring agent to the floor surface, several preparatory steps must be taken.
Preparation of concrete pavement
The preparation of the concrete base itself will determine how long and how well the paint will hold. In this case, the actions differ on concrete structures that have just been built, from those that are already standing, for a long period of time.
A fresh screed can be painted five days after creation. At this time, the concrete hardens well enough, and has the necessary moisture for applying paint to it.
This process can be done with a trowel or a stiff brush. All dust should then be vacuumed.
If the painting will be carried out on an old concrete pavement, then, on the contrary, it must be thoroughly dried. Otherwise, the epoxy will begin to flake off. Determination of the moisture content of the base is carried out with a special device. If it is absent, you can glue the film to the surface, after 24 hours they look to see if it is covered with moisture, and if it is wet to the touch. If the film is dry, then you can proceed to painting, if not, you should wait until the floors are completely dry.
Next, an inspection is carried out for flaws. Those places where there are large cracks are expanded to 5 millimeters, such defects will be covered with epoxy putty. Also, the surface is cleaned and vacuumed.
The surface is leveled, all existing defects are removed from it.
Precautionary measures
The two-component formulations, which are the most popular, must be mixed for painting. During this time, they can release substances harmful to human health. Therefore, work must be carried out in protective clothing, special goggles and rubber gloves are worn, and a respirator is also required.
The room must be well ventilated. Do not use utensils that are used for food purposes. If the mixture gets on the skin, it is immediately cleaned with denatured alcohol or white vinegar, it is unacceptable for it to solidify on the skin.
The room must be well ventilated.
Consumption calculation
The consumption of paint for a self-leveling floor is indicated on the packaging, calculated per 1 square meter. Accordingly, in order to find out how much material is needed, you need to calculate the area, and also decide how many layers will be applied to the floor.
When calculating the area, all recesses and notches are taken into account, if the room is complex in structure, then it is divided into several zones, and then their areas are summed up. The average consumption, which is usually 1 mm per 1.5 kg (the exact figure is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging), is multiplied by the layer thickness and the area of the room.
When calculating the area, all recesses and notches are taken into account.
Can I use a spray gun
The spray gun in many types of painting work simplifies them, and saves paint. But in the case of working with epoxy enamel, its use is impractical. After all, the enamel is distinguished by its fast hardening rate, so it can simply ruin the device itself.
Therefore, it is better to paint with a roller or brush. After painting, they can be thrown away immediately, they will become unusable.
Better to paint with a roller or brush.
Surface paint application
First, a primer mixture is applied to the surface, it serves to improve adhesion to the material. After complete drying, which takes 24 hours. Immediately before painting, the two components of the epoxy (hardener and resin) are mixed, the proportions are indicated on the package, you must strictly adhere to them. Mixing is carried out thoroughly, bringing the composition to homogeneity.
The paint should be applied with a roller or brush, the first layer will be rough. Usually, at least two layers are applied, the second can be applied in a day.
Usually, at least two layers are applied, the second can be applied in a day.
Epoxy paints - types and properties
- powder;
- aerosol;
- two-component.
Powder paints are used to paint structures and parts on an industrial scale. To use them, special cameras and equipment are needed, therefore, they are of little use as a material for use in everyday life. Hot curing epoxy resins are used for their manufacture.
After drying at a high temperature, they form very strong and durable coatings that perfectly protect metal parts and structures from a variety of adverse factors: abrasion, periodic moistening, heating.
These mixtures contain the following substances:
- pigments - small colored granules that give the treated surface the desired color;
- modifiers - provide a uniform distribution of pigment particles in the binder, optimal polymerization of the composition;
- binder - low molecular weight resins, the polymerization of which forms a hard but elastic coating.
According to the method of application, powder formulations are divided into two groups:
- Thermosetting, which contain special reagents that can be activated when heated and improve the spreading of paint and its polymerization. It is thanks to them that a coating with high mechanical and chemical resistance is formed.
- Thermoplastic ones are used differently: a dry component is applied to a carefully prepared surface when it is heated by spraying. Turning into a melt, it spreads, forming a dense film.
Epoxy aerosol paints are most often used for painting cars and their structural parts. These paints contain cold curing epoxy resins.
Two-pack paints are the most popular do-it-yourself paints.
Most often, such formulations are supplied in several separate containers:
- binder - a mixture of epoxy resins;
- a pigment that is mixed with a binder, giving it the desired color;
- hardener.
The composition can be applied in a thick layer, which at the same time reliably fills all irregularities and pores.
Views
Epoxies fall into two categories:
Thermosetting paints are those that are based on components that are activated during heating and contribute to the spreading of paints, their polymerization. Such funds are distinguished by solid resistance to mechanical destructive factors.
Epoxy-based automotive paint is mostly available in aerosol spray form with cold cure components.
Two-component formulations of paints attract people's attention most often, since they make it easy to apply the dye on their own. It should be noted that such compositions work well only if the standard technology is strictly followed, the key ingredients are thoroughly mixed with hardeners and the proportions are strictly observed.
The two-component mixture, in addition to painting, can also be used as a primer that enhances the protection of surfaces from wear.
For metal, it is advisable to use the so-called epostat, characterized by increased anti-corrosion parameters.It is suitable for painting steel pipelines, and the specific purpose of the pipeline does not matter, the protection will be reliable.
They try to cover hydrocarbon storage tanks using EP 7003 enamel. And if you take EP 1003 enamel, then you can block the strong corrosive activity from which construction machines and vehicles, hydraulic engineering complexes of various kinds suffer.
If the paint gets on the skin, it must be removed immediately with denatured alcohol or warm soapy water; the polymerized composition is practically not removed.
Although there are already quite a few epoxy paints now, they cannot be considered universal. The cost of the coating is very high, it should be applied by professionals (for amateurs it is difficult to provide the necessary safety measures).
Coloring compositions for concrete are used relatively recently; to avoid an early loss of properties, these mixtures must be diluted with distilled water. A long-lasting epoxy dispersion is then formed. Water-based epoxy floor enamels can be applied even to wet concrete, the technical parameters of the coating are much better than 10-15 years ago.
Always check in accordance with which GOST a particular paint and varnish material is issued. Only this approach allows you to avoid the occurrence of many problems in the future, and to purchase an initially high-quality product.
Mixtures of epoxy resins with acrylics are mainly represented by aerosol preparations. Such combinations are distinguished by effective anti-corrosion protection, solid resistance to caustic substances and mechanical stress. Dust and dirt will not be deposited on the surface. The glossy type of coating formed in this case easily tolerates even scratches and chips, the service life of the base, especially metal, increases significantly.
Epoxy-polyester compounds are relatively inexpensive, the immunity to rough abrasion is average. The surface will not turn yellow, even if hot sun rays constantly shine on it. But it must be borne in mind that the resistance to corrosion and special solvents is very low, for the most part such a coating is of a decorative nature.
Polyester powder combinations wear very little, you can choose almost any color and texture. Gloss levels vary widely, and the drug is almost non-toxic. Itself is impervious to friction and effectively protects the painted surface from it. In some cases, it can be used as a replacement for a full-fledged primer.
Low-temperature mixtures should be polymerized only in special chambers, where during the first 20 minutes the air warms up to 180 degrees; dyes that can withstand 220 degrees in the first 600 s of processing are considered standard.
How to choose?
Finishing a concrete floor with an epoxy compound requires choosing options with increased antistatic parameters and minimal slip. Conventional paints of this type protect bathroom floors well; in terms of efficiency, they are almost as effective as real tiles. Paintwork materials will avoid corrosion of the coil, other metal part, protect wood from rot and gnawing insects.
Bath epoxy paint it fits well too: it is enough to emphasize that it is used even for boats and boats, that is, with water resistance everything is in order.
Bath enamels of this kind are designed primarily to restore the integrity of their coating. You need to paint very carefully to avoid smudges. It should also be borne in mind that epoxy compounds can be poisonous, and under unfavorable conditions they quickly acquire an unpleasant yellowness.
Epoxy compounds for painting ceramics (ceramic tiles) work well, but special primers based on organic solvents will need to be used in addition to them.The advantage is that the coating will be hard and resistant. Take into account the properties of the coloring composition (its adhesion), which should be the higher, the less adhesion of the tile itself.
Tile is characterized by poor adhesion, this indicator is slightly better in ceramic and clinker varieties, and the best positions in gypsum.
Always pay attention to how high the humidity is in the room. Epoxy paints are ideal for painting floors: they dry quickly, wash well, and so on
Read carefully all the information about the toxicity and durability of the coating, remember that even externally similar options can be very different in terms of internal content.
An aerosol made from a pure epoxy composition is rare; it is mainly used as a mixture with acrylic components. The advantages of this solution are:
- Solid level of anti-corrosion protection.
- Effective counteraction to destructive factors, including caustic substances.
- Almost complete elimination of scratches and chips.
Epoxy coloring compositions can be used for all types of plastics, and they adhere to the base very reliably and efficiently.
How to paint a concrete floor
In order for the paint to stay on the concrete floor for a long time and have high aesthetic characteristics, it is necessary to adhere to the correct application technology. Only in this case will it be possible to achieve the desired effect.
In order for the paint to stay on the concrete floor for a long time and have high aesthetic characteristics, it is necessary to adhere to the correct application technology.
Preparing a concrete surface for floor painting
Allow the concrete floor to dry completely. This takes at least 28-30 days. After the cement laitance has emerged, the surface is cleaned with a steel brush. In this case, milling is also used.
Remove all dust and debris.
For floors that have already been used, it is necessary to degrease.
After that, it is necessary to ensure the correct level of adhesion of the concrete floor to the coloring material. For this, special primers are used.
For floors that have already been used, it is necessary to degrease.
Surface priming, repair of defects
Regardless of whether the paint will be used outdoors or indoors, the correct level of adhesion must be ensured. To do this, use a primer. White spirit, diluted in a concentration of 1: 3, can act as it.
However, other types of impregnations can also be used. Now there are substances on the market that have a certain color, for example, yellow, which makes it possible not to miss areas when priming.
Most often two coats of primer are used. After the first coat has been applied, it must be allowed to dry completely. And only after that, proceed to applying a second layer.
Most often two coats of primer are used.
Floor painting
When painting the floor, it is necessary to take into account the consumption and the quality of the surface that needs to be created. For outdoor use, it is advisable to apply the paint in several layers. This will impart greater density and strength to the surface.
The following rules are also used there:
Mix the two-component paints thoroughly. Care must be taken not to form bubbles. Therefore, most often they use special construction mixers that can be turned on at a low speed;
When painting the floor, it is necessary to take into account the consumption and the quality of the surface that needs to be created.
Taking into account the recommendations, it is possible to achieve a lasting effect and durability of the painted floor.
Scope of application
Epoxy polyester, acrylic epoxy and epoxy paints are widely used in various fields.They form different types of surfaces - completely non-slip, protective, fluorescent, matte, glossy, textured, quick-drying.
These compositions are used to paint:
- tourist supplies;
- household items;
- internal and external parts of passenger cars;
- electrical appliances;
- decorative garden figurines;
- office furniture;
- radiators, heaters;
- toys;
- floors and walls;
- facades;
- containers with chemicals.
Epoxy paint can be used to paint concrete floors in a bathroom. This will protect them from moisture, and the neighbors below from leaks. It is also a great alternative to ceramic tiles. This paint can be used to protect against corrosion of coils and other metal parts in bathrooms and kitchens. If you cover a tree with such paint, it will be reliably protected from decay and insects.
Self-leveling floor: we reveal the secrets of technology
So what is a polymer floor? All the compounds that are used today are divided by experts into two main groups: polymer and mineral.
The latter are a mixture of cement, modifiers and fillers, on which the rate of filling the mixture depends. These are self-leveling floors that easily form a flat finish due to their low cohesion. Polymer floors are used as a continuous topcoat, which may depend on the mixture itself and fillers.
A self-leveling polymer floor is made by modern manufacturers from epoxy resins or polyurethane. Initially, this beauty was used only in industrial workshops, but apartment residents also like the dustlessness, the absence of floor seams and the possibility of its unlimited decoration.
For a bathroom, a polymer floor is an ideal option. Due to the absence of seams, moisture will not penetrate under it, and to the touch this coating is as pleasant and warm as linoleum, only not so soft. Another significant plus for the bathroom: polymer floors are not prone to mold or mildew.
Interestingly, even the most glossy, at first glance, self-leveling floors still have a valuable anti-slip property.
That is why today, even in swimming pools, tiles are abandoned, replacing them with colored and fashionable polymer floors. And recently, they want to see such floors in the bedroom, in the nursery, and even in the office. After all, polymers have simply amazing qualities, and, due to the fact that they are the main components of a self-leveling floor, any design idea now has the right to life.
Even stunning 3D effects, for which airbrush artists are often invited today, for whom it is enough to add a few additional touches to the same fish underwater to make them seem bright and alive.
And varnishes are different: black, white, red ...
Before buying, you always need to determine for what purpose a particular product is being purchased. It's the same story with varnish.
There are different types of varnishes for their intended purpose:
For outdoor use - a similar varnish has been developed with a special composition that reliably protects concrete from any atmospheric and temperature changes, as well as from abrasion.
Sidewalk paths and patios, gazebos and building facades, curbs and paving stones are covered with this varnish. Often this varnish does not have good decorative qualities. It is more classified as a protective coating agent.
For interior work - varnish with this purpose is more sensitive to atmospheric influences, but it is no less resistant to abrasion and contact to various chemically active substances.
As a rule, screeds, concrete countertops and sinks are coated with this varnish.
For decorative purposes - such a varnish carries more aesthetics, but nevertheless it also gives moisture resistance and abrasion resistance.Most often, petri decorative varnish for concrete and stone or another manufacturer can be found in various shades. Garden figures, sidewalk concrete paths, fences and small decorative things made of concrete, for example, like these flower pots in the photo below, are covered with a similar varnish.
But some varnishes may be suitable for covering concrete and stone surfaces, both for interior and exterior use.
A more general classification of varnishes distributes them according to several criteria:
The last criterion is decisive and basic, characterizing varnish compositions for concrete. It is depending on the basic substance that its main properties are manifested.
Wear-resistant concrete floor paints
Despite the apparent solidity, concrete and screed from it represent a rather heterogeneous structure. This is due to the specific composition, which includes components that differ in chemical composition and state of aggregation of the substance. In addition, if a large mechanical load is applied to the surface, then erosion of the structure is inevitable. Therefore, to increase wear resistance, concrete surfaces are painted with a special concrete floor paint. If this manipulation is performed correctly, using wear-resistant materials, the floor surface, made of even the most ordinary concrete, is hardened.
In order to achieve this effect, special polymer paints are chosen. Their main advantage lies in the fact that they penetrate into the surface structure of the material and, as it were, seal the existing capillaries and pores on the surface. Thus, concrete floor paint prevents moisture and chemicals from entering the concrete. In addition, despite the thinness of the forming layer during painting, the wear resistance of the concrete is significantly increased. That is, it is less subject to abrasion and destruction.
Floor paint for concrete prevents moisture and chemicals from entering the concrete.
Operating principle
Highlights achieved when applying floor paint to concrete:
- Polymeric coloring materials cure and harden quite effectively, creating a dense layer;
- Due to their liquid consistency, all micropores are filled. Visually, this can be seen from the difference in the surface quality of the concrete floor and the painted area;
- Concrete, if not painted, will almost constantly form a dust layer on the surface. And this not only spoils the aesthetic appearance and leads to inaccuracy in the room, but also, due to increased friction, contributes to an even faster abrasion of the surface.
Polymeric coloring materials cure and harden quite effectively, creating a dense layer.
What gives the staining of concrete floor surfaces
If you apply wear-resistant concrete paint, you can achieve the following effects:
- Give a neat look;
- Fill in all microcracks and form a smooth shiny surface;
- Improve aesthetics, as you can buy any shade of paint;
- Extend the life of the floor;
- Wear-resistant concrete paint for flooring avoids the release of cement laitance, which inevitably appears when the floor dries. Also, this effect can occur with a longer process of floor exploitation. A thin layer of special paint will help eliminate this effect.
Wear-resistant concrete paint for flooring avoids the release of cement laitance, which inevitably appears when the floor dries.
How to care for a self-leveling floor?
And, finally, it is not difficult to care for a self-leveling floor - like for parquet. Periodic it needs to be renewed, covering it with a protective varnish, and the rest of the time, wet or dry cleaning is enough.
Polymer self-leveling floors are washed with special household chemicals with a high acid content.
It should be applied to the floor surface for five to ten minutes, then thoroughly clean off the remaining polish and rinse the coating well using as much water as possible. This is usually done using a special technique, but you can do it yourself. If there are stains from tires or other difficult dirt on the floor, then these places are covered with a deep cleaning detergent for five minutes, and then cleaned off.
In industrial premises, where there is a particularly strong mechanical load on the floor, dirt gets clogged into microcracks invisible to the eye, and the coating becomes a little dull. Then modern high-pressure washing units are used, which easily knock out all the dirt and the renewed floor is varnished.
Also remember that polymer coatings are not designed for prolonged exposure to alkalis or acids of high concentration - and therefore, detergents cannot be left on the surface for a long time.
And another tip: it is advisable to install rubber pads on the legs of furniture or work equipment - this way the floor will last longer.
So why, given the relative low cost of the material and the completely understandable laying technology, they take so much for such work? It's just that for our country, such floors are to some extent still a novelty, but it is always good to make money on new products. Try to do it yourself - the next step is to replace the floors in absolutely all other rooms!
Concrete floor finish
Concrete floors are the best base option for any type of site, be it residential, industrial, public space, supermarkets or warehouses. Correctly arranged, they will serve faithfully for more than one decade. The final coating of the concrete floor is selected taking into account the conditions of use of the room: climatic factors, the load that will fall on the surface.
To be or not to be concrete varnish?
Concrete itself is a very strong and durable material. In only, if you constantly exploit its unprepared surface, it begins to wear out, dust and collapse under the influence of atmospheric and temperature influences. Of course, the use of plasticizers with the desired properties will largely eliminate this drawback, but only partially.
We need external protection. Its functions are perfectly performed by varnish on concrete of various types.
Using such a coating, you get:
Such wonderful properties, which have a varnish for stone and concrete, simply should not go unnoticed. Such a coating is simply worthy of entering the masses and being used everywhere. But this has not yet been observed.
The “stopper” of the popularity of concrete varnishes has several expressions:
Large consumption - although manufacturers all say with one voice that varnish is applied to concrete in one layer, in reality, their number can reach up to 5.
It all depends on the type of surface and the type of varnish. And this is already a decent amount to buy, although the varnish itself is quite inexpensive - from 250 rubles. for 1 kg.
Consumption per layer - 0.3 kg per 1m2. That is, on average, 1 kg of varnish per 1m2, and sometimes even more. In terms of squares, this is a decent amount. Slip - not all concrete varnishes provide an anti-slip surface.
It is simply impossible to walk on some floors after varnishing. Difficulty of application - it would seem that it is worth applying varnish to the surface with a brush? In fact, to obtain an ideal surface, it is necessary to maintain the same thickness of application of the composition, which is not always easy to achieve (depending on the consistency). Also, each layer must dry thoroughly - at least 24 hours, and the surrounding conditions must be appropriate (we will talk about them later).
In order not to get into a mess when choosing varnishes for covering a concrete surface, we will consider what types there are, and for what cases they are intended.
