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Painting floors in cold conditions

Essential refurbishment cannot be avoided during the colder months. Putting temporary heaters in place is often of little use, especially in areas that are exposed to the cold, such as loading bays and warehouses with roller shutter doors. The heaters warm the air but not the floor, which is usually around 5-8°C lower than the air temperature. If a paint requires 10-15°C to dry the floor will be too cold for the project to be a success.

Read on to find out what can go wrong, and how you can do it right.

What can go wrong

  • Water based epoxy resins release water as part of the curing process. In cold conditions the water cannot evaporate, so the floor won’t dry.
  • Water based epoxy resins will bloom if they are part cured and glossy finishes turn matt in colder areas, leaving a patchy finish.
  • 100% solids epoxy resins will only part cure. They may lose residual tack and the floor might appear dry but will not have chemically cured.
  • Part cured epoxy resins will not bond correctly and can peel off or stick to tyres when the floor is put back to use.
  • Part cured epoxy will pick up scratches, stains and tyre marks.
  • Part cured epoxy has very little chemical or even water resistance and can stain or water mark if a spillage is not removed immediately.
Peeling
Scratches
Stains
Tyre marks
Blooming
Glossy finish turning matt

Getting it right

Epoxicote™ High Build Cold Cure

100% solids epoxy

It has been possible for some years to modify a 100% solids epoxy to cope with temperatures down to 5°C. See our formulas below:

 

 

Cold Set Coating

Polyaspartic

Watco is a pioneers in the development and use of polyaspartic resins. This innovative floor coating technology even dries in icy temperatures of -10 ° C.

The polyaspartic resins are two-part component products. The base resin and activator are mixed together just before use to begin the curing process. See our formulas below:

Products

Cures at 5°C
Bulk Discounts
Watco Epoxicote High Build Cold Cure

Watco Epoxicote High Build Cold Cure

A thick virtually solvent free epoxy. One coat protection for heavily trafficked surfaces

From £211.60 (Ex VAT)

Cures at 5°C
Bulk Discounts
Watco Epoxicote High Build Cold Cure Anti Slip

Watco Epoxicote High Build Cold Cure Anti Slip

Our thick 'high build' anti slip coating for heavy traffic areas - with cold curing ability

From £218.00 (Ex VAT)

Bestseller
Watco Chemi-Coat

Watco Chemi-Coat

For resistance to aggressive chemicals in heavy traffic areas

From £207.80 (Ex VAT)

Watco Chemi-Coat Anti Slip

Watco Chemi-Coat Anti Slip

High build, one coat anti slip paint for concrete floors. Exceptional chemical resistance

From £214.45 (Ex VAT)

Bulk Discounts
Watco Safety Grip Cold Cure

Watco Safety Grip Cold Cure

For loading bays, walkways and entrances incl wet, oil and heavily trafficked areas. Cures at 0°C

From £147.60 (Ex VAT)

Bestseller
Watco Bund Sealer

Watco Bund Sealer

Seals and waterproofs metal or concrete bund areas and pipes. Excellent chemical resistance

From £230.00 (Ex VAT)

Cures at -10°C
Watco Cold Set Coating

Watco Cold Set Coating

For cold areas such as walk-in fridges, cold stores and loading bays. Highly wear resistant

From £151.70 (Ex VAT)

Cures at -10°C
Watco Safety Coat Cold Cure

Watco Safety Coat Cold Cure

Fine textured high performance coating for cold stores, walk-in fridges. Dries at -10°C

From £157.05 (Ex VAT)

Watco Protecta-Coat

Watco Protecta-Coat

Clear protective coating for painted or bare concrete floors

£138.50 (Ex VAT)

Watco Protecta-Coat Anti Slip

Watco Protecta-Coat Anti Slip

For warehouses, walk-in fridges, exterior car parks. Exceptionally durable two-pack resin

£148.50 (Ex VAT)

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