Industrial Paints Advice

The following page provides useful advice on our industrial paints range from painting in cold conditions to choosing the best coating for your environment. 

If you have a question that we haven't answered below, please contact a member of our team on 01483 418 418. Alternatively, tell us about your project so we can offer you a virtual site visit with personalised technical advice.

Can I paint concrete in a cold environment?

Finding a floor coating that will dry when it’s cold has always been difficult in the past since most traditional floor paints need a floor temperature of around 15°C to cure. Recent developments in resin technology have enabled Watco to formulate a range of floor paints and sealers that mean you can paint as low as -10°C without any problem at all. 

The coatings are all based on two pack, new generation (polyaspartic) resin systems. Polyaspartic floor paints are at least three times harder than epoxy resin coatings and have excellent abrasion resistance. They will withstand really heavy traffic such as fork-lift trucks, making them ideal for use in warehouses, garage workshops and loading bays; and the fact they dry in really low temperatures means that coating in the winter, or in areas such as cold storage rooms, basements, cellars, walk-in fridges and external areas such as steps, ramps and driveways is no longer a problem. Polyaspartics are also ideal to use outside because they have excellent resistance to UV rays which means they will resist fading, chalking and general weathering. 

Our range of Polyaspartics can be applied to a variety of floors such as concrete, sand and cement screed, (you do need to use a primer first if applying it to sand and cement screed floors as they are very porous – see Watco 4 Hour Epoxy Primer) smooth and previously painted surfaces – polyaspartic paints are incredibly versatile. If you would like a smooth coloured finish, Watco recommend Watco Cold Set Coating or Watco Safety Coat Cold Cure if a non-slip finish is required. 

For food preparation areas or situations where you need to steam clean the floor, use Watco Food Safe Coating; it would be ideal as it resists temperatures as low as -10°C but will tolerate temperatures up to +30°C. It also has a food taint test certificate, which means it is non-toxic, making it safe to use around food - if a slip resistant finish is important, use Watco Food Safe Coating Anti Slip. You may prefer a clear finish - if so, we recommend Watco Protecta-Coat, which is a clear version of Watco Cold Set Coating and is also available in a slip resistant version.

TIP - Always apply Polyaspartic coatings with a short piled roller – they perform best as a thin film. 

TIP - To make application easier, store the containers in a warm room for around 8 hours before using it in a cold unheated area.

For more information on essential refurbishment in cold conditions, please see our article 'Painting floors in cold conditions'. 

What floor finish should I choose?

It is important that you choose the correct paint for your concrete floor. For example, garage floors are usually subject to heavy wear over long periods of time. The surface contact from vehicle tyres can sometimes be problematic, as the treads stick to the painted floors. 

This is where two-pack paints such as Watco Epoxy Gloss Coat are invaluable. Single pack paints are generally not strong enough to withstand this level of wear. 

For imperfect, uneven floors, a matt finish paint like Watco Epoxy Matt Coat will reduce the appearance of defects in the floors. 

Watco Concrete Floor Paint is ideal for level floors without imperfections that do not take regular heavy traffic. It has a satin finish and will enhance the floor’s appearance.

Which paint is best to use in heavily trafficked areas?

To protect your already painted floors from abrasion and heavy traffic, Watco recommend using Watco Protecta-Coat. It contains a polyaspartic resin and is versatile enough to be used in warehouses and exhibition halls as well as outdoor car parks. This is also available as an anti slip version and due to its polyaspartic properties, both versions can be applied at temperatures between minus 10˚c and +30˚c. 

Watco Epoxy Gloss Coat is ideal for those areas that need to withstand heavy traffic, such as factories, workshops and warehouses. It is extremely strong and durable with a gloss finish.

Epoxy Matt Coat is ideal for those areas where there are minor imperfections, as a matt finish does not highlight flaws like gloss paint can. 

Watco Epoxicote High Build, our high build single coat product is an extremely hard wearing two pack paint with a high gloss finish. For areas subject to very high trafficking or there is a need for a thick one coat application then Watco Epoxicote High Build should be considered. 

Which paint is best to use within the food industry?

Watco Food Safe Coating is perfect in busy areas where strict health and safety regulations need to be met, (for example in kitchens and food preparation areas), as it provides long lasting protection as well as exceptional resistance to heavy traffic. It can be applied at temperatures between minus 10°c and minus 30°c. There is also an anti slip version available. 

Watco Epoxy Gloss Coat Hygienic is ideal for storage areas and food preparation rooms as it attacks micro-organisms. Its silver ion composition quickly destroys the bacteria, proven to kill 99.9% of E-coli and MRSA after 24 hours. 

Watco Cold Set Coating is perfect for the renovation and maintenance of unheated surfaces. It is capable of curing at 10˚c and will protect your painted floors from abrasion and high levels of traffic. It is perfect for cold rooms, refrigerated areas, loading bays and outdoor areas. 

How do I add colour to asphalt surfaces?

Over time, asphalt surfaces can appear dull, so if you need to renovate whilst also improving resistance to traffic, Watco recommends using Watco Heavy Duty Asphalt Paint. It only requires a single application, has excellent resistance to UV and weathering and is ideal for surfaces used by pedestrian traffic. 

Anti slip versions are also available in the form of Anti Slip Traffic Paint and Heavy Duty Anti Slip Traffic Paint.

What is the best way to maintain concrete floors?

To maintain concrete floors, factory or production areas more easily, Watco recommends using Watco Concrete Sealer Water Based. It cures to a semi-gloss finish and is ideal for areas subject to general industrial use. 

Also available is Watco Protecta-Coat, which is a colourless quick drying lacquer. It provides a hard gloss finish that cannot be scratched. It is easily applied with a roller or brush. 

Watco Universal Sealer is ideal for porous concrete floors and walls since it permanently stops dust.

How can I prevent mould and mildew?

To prevent mould growth in damp, poorly ventilated areas, Watco has designed Watco Dampguard. Ideal for most surfaces except raw metal, Watco Dampguard prevents mould over a period of 5 years. The paint is virtually odour free and can be repainted after 14 days.

How can I prevent damp on floors and walls?

To prevent the appearance of damp patches on floors and walls, Watco advises using Watco Dampguard Advanced. This waterproof epoxy paint is extremely durable and will penetrate the surface to prevent the occurrence of moisture. It will also produce a very resistant surface to wear and chemicals whilst preventing mould.

How can I revive stained concrete?

If you want to revive dull and stained concrete, Watco Concrete Floor Paint provides a durable coating that will transform and improve the appearance of your concrete. It is easy to clean and enables you to mark out pedestrian and machinery areas, whilst resisting day to day wear. It is easy to apply, resistant to oils and also slip resistant.

How can I protect floors against chemical attack?

Watco Resiflow is a self-levelling and highly wear resistant epoxy coating. It provides a smooth, gloss finish in addition to its high mechanical and chemical resistance. For excellent chemical resistance, try Resiflow Chemical Grade.

If you need to provide excellent resistance to abrasion and chemicals in production areas and warehouses, Watco recommends Watco Epoxicote High Build. This thick paint can be applied to floors that have already been painted and are well worn, providing the existing paint does not crumble. One coat is usually sufficient. An alternative to this is Watco Chemi-Coat; a high build epoxy resin with excellent chemical resistance. Chemi-Coat Acid Strength is also available if exceptional resistance to concentrated acid spills is essential.

How can I protect bund areas?

Watco Bund Sealer, a waterproofing and chemical resistant epoxy resin coating, will protect your bund areas. A second coat may be necessary if the surface is very porous.