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January 21, 2015

Posted in 2-part epoxy, driveway coating, driveway paint, epoxy paint, garage floor coating, garage floor paint

Driveway Guide: Considerations Before Painting

If your driveway is sun bleached or in need of a fresh coat of paint -- or worse, cracking and becoming catchalls for rain and dirt -- it sounds like you're ready for a refresh.

Painting the driveway can transform the look of your home, and its an affordable and attractive option to improve the value of your property.

Prepping the floor and following these steps will ensure you get the most out of your investment.

Asphalt must be at least 6 months old -- paint will not adhere to new asphalt so it's best to hold off painting your driveway until the time is right.
Fill all cracks -- use cement filler to fill cracks, strengthen and smooth out the floor surface.
Avoid rainy conditions -- keep an eye on the weather forecast. If there's even a hint of rain in the coming 24 hours, it's best to wait.
Hose it down -- the driveway should be dirt free as you want to avoid paint peeling up. Use a hose or pressure cleaner to remove as much as possible. Paint will cover dirt temporarily but will soon peel up since it never had a firm adherence to the driveway surface in the first place.
Tape off any areas around the driveway -- by doing so, you'll create clean lines and a more aesthetic appearance. Its especially important to use tape when painting around landscaping, sidewalks and lawn decor.
Use acrylic-based epoxy paint -- this paint is designed specifically for driveways to avoid yellowing caused by sunlight. Note: water-based epoxies CANNOT be used outside and will degrade and turn yellow under UV rays.

Once you've followed these steps on how to paint a driveway, plant a fragrant bush and sprinkle in some brightly colored perennial flowers. It's sure to make you smile when you drive up to your home after a long day of work.

December 11, 2014

Posted in 2-part epoxy, best garage floor epoxy, driveway coating, driveway paint, epoxy paint, garage floor coating, garage floor paint

How to Make your Garage Floor Paint Last

How do you paint a garage floor -- and make sure it lasts?

Once you've gone through the hassle of hauling everything out of the garage, painting the floor and parking the car on the street waiting for the floor to dry, you won't want to have to do it again anytime soon.

Here are some tips to prolong the life of your garage floor paint -- and ensure a long-lasting result.

Use an acrylic water based epoxy floor paint -- garage floors are susceptible to UV sunlight, even if only a corner or sliver near the door opening is exposed. In no time at all, the exposed floor will succumb to UV rays and turn yellow. Selecting a floor paint that combines acrylic with an epoxy floor paint will protect from UV sunlight and maintain the integrity and color of the garage floor paint.
Use mild soap only -- Harsh chemicals found in some soaps will degrade garage floor paint and over time lead to cracks, peels and rough or scratched surfaces. Mild cleaning agents such as regular household dish soap work best to clean a garage floor while avoiding damage.
Wait one week before parking your car -- after painting your garage floor, an epoxy floor paint must have time to chemically bond or cure to form the strongest foundation possible. A garage floor that hasn't had a full week to fully cure will peel up or turn black under hot rubber tires.
Avoid spilling solvents such as gasoline or oil -- these types of spills or leaks are unavoidable, especially if you plan to park your car in the garage. The worst you can do is let it soak in. By taking quick action to wipe up spills and clean the surface with a mild soap, you will get more life out of your garage floor paint.

Following this advice, it's possible you can maintain a clean and polished appearance on your garage floor for 5-7 years before having to re-paint. Best of luck!