What coating should you choose for a concrete floor in a garage or car wash, especially if there was no waterproofing under the concrete base?
This is an important issue because the floor in a garage, car wash, parking lot or technical room operates in difficult conditions. It is affected by water, moisture, dirt, mechanical loads and constant vehicle traffic.
It is not enough to simply choose a durable concrete paint. It is necessary to consider the condition of the substrate itself, properly prepare the concrete, and select a compatible primer and topcoat system.
Concrete floors that lack waterproofing and may allow moisture to seep in from the base require special attention.
Why does the lack of waterproofing under a concrete floor matter?
If there is no proper waterproofing under a concrete slab, moisture can enter the concrete from below.
Concrete is porous, so moisture can move through its capillaries. If a coating is applied on top that does not meet the operating conditions of the substrate, the presence of moisture can negatively affect the coating system.
That is why, before painting a concrete floor, it is necessary to assess not only the load on the future coating, but also the condition of the concrete base and the possibility of moisture entering from below.
For such conditions, a professional solution would be to use a vapor-permeable coating system.
Vapor-permeable coating for concrete floors
For the concrete floor of a garage or car wash, in this case, a system of two main materials is used:
1. Teknobond 120 is a two-component water-based epoxy primer.
2. Teknobond 620 is a vapor-permeable epoxy paint.
It is important that the system is used comprehensively. If vapor permeability is required, it is not enough to use a suitable primer and cover it with a random vapor-impermeable paint on top. The material characteristics of all layers of the system must meet the operating conditions.
Preparing a concrete floor before painting
The durability of an epoxy coating depends largely on proper concrete preparation.
Before applying Teknobond 120, the concrete base must be carefully prepared.
The surface is sanded, removing any loose surface layer and contamination. The substrate is then cleaned, washed and thoroughly dusted.
The surface should be free of weak areas, dust, grease and other substances that may impair the adhesion of the primer to the concrete.
Proper preparation of the concrete substrate directly affects the adhesion and durability of the entire coating system.
Why prime a concrete floor before painting?
The primer is the first layer of the system and prepares the concrete for the application of the final epoxy coating.
In this case, Teknobond 120 is used - a two-component water-based epoxy primer.
It is intended for:
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strengthening the surface of the concrete base;
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concrete dust removal;
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preparation of a porous surface;
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improving adhesion of the next layer;
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creating a base for subsequent application of a vapor-permeable epoxy coating.
Teknobond 120 is vapor-permeable and does not contain organic solvents, which is also an important advantage when performing work indoors.
Main characteristics of Teknobond 120
The approximate consumption of the primer is 150 g/m² per coat. The actual consumption depends on the porosity, roughness and general condition of the concrete substrate.
After mixing the two components, the working time of the finished mixture is approximately 30 minutes, so it is necessary to prepare the surface in advance and organize the application process.
Adhesion to concrete according to EN 4624 - 4 MPa .
Teknobond 120 is applied to the prepared base with a roller, and in hard-to-reach places, near walls, corners and junctions, it is convenient to use a brush.
An interesting feature of the primer is its appearance during application.
Immediately after application, Teknobond 120 has a milky white hue. As it dries, the material gradually becomes transparent.
After priming, the concrete surface is hardened, dusted, and prepared for the next stage of the system.
Teknobond 620 vapor-permeable finishing coating
The next stage is the application of Teknobond 620 epoxy paint .
This is a water-based epoxy coating, one of the important characteristics of which is vapor permeability.
As a result, Teknobond 120 primer and Teknobond 620 topcoat work as a complete system for concrete floors.
Car wash floor covering
Special requirements are placed on the floor of a car wash, as the surface is regularly in contact with water and operates in conditions of high humidity.
But it is important to distinguish between two different sources of moisture.
The first is water that gets on the floor surface during the operation of the car wash.
The second is moisture that can enter through the concrete base from below, especially if there is no waterproofing under the slab.
It is the second factor that must be taken into account when choosing a coating system.
Before applying any epoxy system, it is necessary to assess the actual condition of the concrete and its moisture content. The vapor permeability of the coating does not mean that excess moisture, active water ingress or other problems in the concrete structure can be ignored.
Where can such a system be used?
The Teknobond 120 + Teknobond 620 system may be relevant for concrete floors in garages, car washes, parking lots, workshops, technical areas, production and other premises where operating conditions and the moisture condition of the substrate must be taken into account.
It is especially worth considering vapor-permeable systems for facilities where there is no waterproofing under the existing concrete base or there is a risk of moisture entering through the concrete.
How to properly make an epoxy coating for a concrete floor?
The sequence of work can be conditionally divided into several stages:
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Assess the condition of the concrete base and its operating conditions.
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Check the moisture condition of the concrete and possible sources of moisture ingress.
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Repair cracks, chips, and other defects as necessary.
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Mechanically prepare the concrete surface.
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Thoroughly clean and dust the base.
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Apply two-component epoxy primer Teknobond 120 in two layers.
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After the primer has cured, apply a vapor-permeable epoxy coating Teknobond 620 .
What to choose for a concrete floor in a garage or car wash?
If there is no waterproofing under the concrete floor, it is necessary to take into account the condition of the concrete, its humidity, possible moisture ingress from the base, future mechanical loads, and operating conditions of the room.
One solution for such objects may be a vapor-permeable epoxy system:
Teknobond 120 is a water-based epoxy vapor-permeable primer.
Teknobond 620 is a vapor-permeable epoxy finishing coating.
In combination with proper mechanical preparation of the concrete base, this system allows you to create a professional coating for the concrete floor of a garage, car wash, parking lot, or technical room.
