Polyurea & Polyaspartic

The Perils of Applying Polyaspartic or Polyurea Coatings Directly to Concrete

Garage floor coatings are an excellent solution for enhancing both the aesthetics and durability of your garage floor. Among the array of options, “1-day polyaspartic” and “1-day polyurea” concrete coatings have become increasingly popular. These systems utilize fast-curing polyurea or polyaspartic compounds for both the primer coat (applied directly to the concrete) and the clear top coat, promising to complete the installation within a single day.

Does this sound too good to be true? It is. There are significant drawbacks associated with applying these coatings as primer coats direct-to-concrete, particularly when moisture is present.

Moisture Matters

A primary concern with applying polyaspartic or polyurea coatings directly to concrete is their limited ability to address moisture-related issues. Unlike moisture-mitigating coating systems that use a Moisture Vapor Barrier as primer, polyaspartic and polyurea coatings struggle to achieve sufficient penetration, especially in moist conditions.

This limitation arises from the fast-curing nature of polyurea-polyaspartics. A rapid cure rate and deep concrete penetration are just inherently incompatible. For effective concrete penetration and bonding, a moisture-mitigating, slower curing primer is necessary.

Complex Chemistry

Moreover, polyurea-polyaspartics exhibit intriguing chemistry that behaves counterintuitively. These coatings cure even faster in the presence of moisture, whether it’s moisture in the concrete itself or ambient humidity. Given concrete’s porous nature, moisture rises through a process called moisture vapor transmission (MVT), exerting upward pressure on the inadequately penetrating primer. Over time, this leads to delamination of the thin polyurea-polyaspartic coating.

Expert installers typically measure concrete moisture levels to determine the appropriate coating based on the readings. Elevated moisture levels necessitate a Moisture Vapor Barrier as the primer coat…not a polyurea-polyaspartic. Unfortunately, 1-day installers forego this crucial step, opting to use quick-curing polyurea-polyaspartic products for both primer and top coats to meet their promised 1-day timeframe.

The Illusion of Warranty

Despite the known risks, 1-day installers in the garage floor coating industry offer warranties ranging from 15 years to a lifetime. However, a closer inspection of the warranty exclusions reveals a notable lack of coverage for moisture-related issues (like moisture vapor transmission or high hydrostatic pressure). Consequently, when delamination occurs due to moisture, the warranty becomes null and void, leaving homeowners responsible for costly repairs.

A Superior Coating Strategy

At Garage Floor Coating – The Great Lakes, we understand the critical importance of addressing moisture-related concerns to ensure the longevity and performance of your garage floor coating. That’s why we employ a comprehensive approach, starting with our proprietary Moisture Vapor Barrier (MVB) system.

Our MVB system is meticulously designed to effectively combat moisture-related challenges by penetrating deep into the concrete substrate, creating a robust moisture barrier. This guarantees superior penetration, adhesion, and durability, even in environments with high moisture levels and hydrostatic pressure. Additionally, we apply two 100%-solids polyaspartic clear coats for unmatched protection against wear, UV rays, and chemical spills.

Quality Takes Time

Unlike 1-day coating companies, we prioritize quality over speed. Our MVB primer coat is a slower curing product that allows for deep concrete penetration and superior bonding. We allocate a full day for penetration, returning on Day 2 to apply the dual polyaspartic topcoats.

Backing Our Promise

At Garage Floor Coating – The Great Lakes, we stand behind our products and installation process with an industry-leading warranty covering all moisture-related issues and staining from automotive fluids and hot-tire transfer. Our unwavering commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction ensures that your garage floor investment is safeguarded.

In conclusion, while 1-day polyaspartic and polyurea coatings offer quick installation, they come with significant risks. We prioritize quality over speed, offering a superior solution through our proven Moisture Vapor Barrier system. Choose Garage Floor Coating – The Great Lakes for a garage floor coating that truly stands the test of time.