- 1). Clean and test the floor. Begin by cleaning the floor as you normally would, using a broom to remove dust, dirt and debris. When most of the dirt has been removed, spray the floor completely with water. Observe the water's reaction on the floor. Is it turning the floor dark and absorbing into the cement, or is the water beading up and refusing to absorb? If the floor turns evenly dark, you are ready to proceed to the next step.
If you find spots where the water is not absorbing, use a scrub brush and degreasing detergent to remove the oil or other substance that is preventing absorption. If the detergent does not remove the substance, you may need to sand or grind it away.
If the entire floor will not absorb water, there may be a protective coating already in place on your garage floor. You can try etching it away with muriatic acid in the next step, but it is likely you will have to grind the entire floor to remove the coating.
After removing any substances or coatings, test the floor with water again to make sure it absorbs. If it does not, repeat the steps to completely remove the substance or coating. - 2). Prepare the floor with acid. Mix together 10 parts water with one part muriatic acid. Spray the floor with water to get it damp, and then pour the acid mixture on the floor. Using a stiff-bristled push broom, push the acid mixture over the entire floor, being sure to cover all corners and edges. The acid does not need to sit. When the entire floor has been covered, rinse it off well with water. Repeat the process a second time, making sure all traces of the acid are rinsed away. The acid wash not only removes any remaining dirt or residue, but also creates the necessary PH balance for application of the garage floor coating. Begin Step 3 within 48 hours of the acid wash.
- 3). Prime the floor. Use a primer designed especially for bonding garage floor coatings. Mix the primer components well and then blend together according to the specific manufacturer's instructions. Most floor coating primers come in three parts, and you simply pour the three together and mix well. After the primer is mixed, the clock begins for it to set. You will usually have about one hour to use the primer before it begins to harden. Spray the floor with water so it is damp. If the floor dries before you reach an area, dampen it again before applying the primer bonding agent.
Start by trimming out the edges of the floor with a paint brush. When the edges are done, use a roller to roll the primer on to the floor, working one section at a time. Apply a thin, even layer. The primer will not cover up markings, discolorations or other problems on the floor. Simply make sure the entire floor has a thin, even coating of primer. Allow the primer to dry for four to six hours until it is dry to the touch. Apply the coating within 48 hours. - 4). Coat the floor. Mix the coating components well and then blend together according to the specific manufacturer's instructions. Most floor coatings come in two parts, and you simply pour them together and mix well. After the floor coating is well mixed, begin by trimming out the edges of the floor with a paintbrush. Smooth any brush marks out as you work, or they will show up in the finished floor. When the edges are done, use a clean roller to apply the coating to the rest of the floor. Apply in an even layer, making sure to thoroughly cover all areas. Any roller marks should also be smoothed out so they don't show in the finished floor.
The floor coating will take four to six hours to dry to the touch but at least 12 hours to cure. Do not stand on or place items on the floor for at least 12 hours.
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