We would usually recommend two coats for this type of formulation in order to get the best finish. However, in order to keep your costs down, we would recommend applying your first coat to the areas that experience the most traffic and will therefore wear the quickest, e.g. walkways. Once this is dry, you can apply a second coat to the entire area. This gives an added layer of protection to the areas experiencing wear and tear, makes the product stretch further and provides a uniform, high-quality finish.

Yes, however, it does require careful product selection because the conditions do impact the curing process. For example, a water-based epoxy resin coating will bloom if only part cured due to the temperature, and glossy finishes will turn matt. This means that if the floor temperature is not consistent throughout the area, then you may be left with very obvious contrasts in the finish. Additionally, during the curing process, these products release water which cannot evaporate in cold conditions which means the floor cannot properly dry.

There are products designed for these conditions, such as Watco Safety Coat Cold Cure, which is a two part, polyaspartic resin formulation which will dry in temperatures as low as -10°C. The solution is ideal for chiller rooms and contains spherical finely textured grit, which provides better friction underfoot without the risk of damaging cleaning equipment including mops.

For the best finish, the second coat of this paint should be applied within 5 days. It can actually be applied as soon as the first coat is dry which is usually about 16 hours. However, if that has not been possible, you just need to add one step into the process. Lightly abrade the first coat of paint and then apply your second layer and leave to dry, this will allow the paint to adhere sufficiently. After this, avoid washing the surface for at least 7 days.

This really depends on the floor you are painting and what you want to achieve. Two part epoxy resin solutions bond to the substrate to form a strong, durable and long lasting finish that is resistant to chemicals, oils and grease. This makes it a better choice than single pack paints for protecting floors that regularly come into contact with those contaminants. However, for general industrial use, e.g. in storage areas, a single pack polyurethane is a great choice – and can be stored once opened for topping up in the future.

The best solution for your floor will depend on a number of factors including the conditions and environment you are painting, but also what you are looking for in terms of ease of application, durability, finish and special use properties such as chemical resistance.

There are so many solutions available that we would always recommend speaking to an expert about your specific site in order to get the best possible performance out of the product. For example, you may want an anti slip coating in an area prone to spillages, making solutions with coarser beads unsuitable because cleaning equipment would be quickly damaged. In which case, you would get a better result from a coating with spherical, finely textured particles which are easy to clean but still offer great slip resistance.

This is an individual choice but there are benefits to each which should be considered in your selection. Gloss is an ideal choice to brighten and protect areas that experience heavy traffic, for example pathways through the facility. This also gives the surface a great visual appeal and can be really impactful when new people join the team or visitors attend the site. Whereas a matt finish is popular for surfaces with indentations because the finish reduces the light reflection on the surface and helps to disguise them. This makes it ideal for areas with heavy machinery and activities with hard impact on the floor surface.

These are two part epoxy resin formulations that contain no water. Instead, there is a separate base resin and curing agent which produce a chemical cure that generates heat when mixed for application. They are hard wearing with strong chemical resistance and can achieve a thick glossy finish with just one coat of paint, reducing the cost required and downtime for the area painted. When compared to water-based products, they do have the benefit that they can be modified to provide faster drying solutions or those that will work at lower temperatures.

There are many ways that paint can be used to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Applying an anti slip coating can dramatically increase the level of grip underfoot. This is ideal for areas where spillages are common or close to external doors that quickly become slippery in periods of wet weather. Paint can also be used to encourage awareness and keep team members away from dangerous areas. Using paint to line mark pathways throughout a facility and highlight hazardous areas helps team members to move around the site safely without colliding with dangerous equipment, inventory being moved or chemical substances being used in designated areas.

A solvent based epoxy resin consists of a base resin and a curing agent hardener, which are mixed together with a solvent at the point of use. They’re ideal for outside areas where contaminants such as petroleum are spilled frequently, including car parks because they do not get affected by UV, they contain a slip resistant additive and are extremely hard wearing. They’re strong solvent smell while applying make them unsuitable for indoor applications.

Yes, as long as there is nothing in the formulation which will react with the existing paint. If the existing paint is still well bonded and has been naturally abraded through traffic and wear, you can just paint straight over it. However, if there are any sections that don’t look dull with wear, make sure to abrade these areas lightly around the edges before painting.

Yes, some types of paint are versatile enough to be used on a variety of surfaces. For example, not only are 100% solids epoxy resins a great choice for floors, but can also be used on metal, floor channel gratings, access covers and ramps without causing rust or requiring a primer because they don’t contain water. They can also be used on galvanised metal when used with a suitable primer, e.g. Watco Galvaprime.

However, this depends on the product so its always better to speak with an expert first to ensure you will not damage the surface you are painting.

A chlorinated rubber product, e.g. Watco Asphalt Paint Rapid is a great option for external car parks. The paint is extremely tough, making it ideal for heavy vehicle traffic and manoeuvring. It also has excellent resistance to chemicals including fuel spills and to cracking or movement on asphalt or concrete. Once applied, the product is quick drying, UV resistant and showerproof after just one hour.

Once the floor has been properly cleaned and prepared, you can move on to mixing the product ready for application. Pour the contents from the floor paint resin tin into the larger tin which contains the hardener and mix thoroughly until you have an even colour and consistency. Do not over stir or thin the paint by adding water as this will compromise its formula and the performance of the product upon application. For easy, neat application, cut along the edges of the floor with a brush then fill in the area with a medium pile roller, using a telescopic handle where its harder to reach. Watch out for polyaspartic paints which set quicker than epoxy, when using these make sure you only pour the amount you need onto a tray and apply within minutes.

This depends on the temperature of the room. Watco Epoxicote High Build Cold Cure can be used for temperatures down to 5°C, making it ideal for cold storage. However, it cannot cure in freezing temperatures. Therefore for rooms kept at temperatures below 5°C you need Watco Safety Coat Cold Cure. The two-part polyaspartic resin cures at temperatures as low as -10°C and offers fantastic resistance to abrasion and scratches.

This will depend on the condition of the floor you are painting. On bare concrete, you must start by removing the surface laitance and any dust or light contaminants with a product such as Watco Etch & Clean. This product will also etch the surface to provide a key for the paint. Once it has been used, flush the surface with clean water and allow it to dry.

However, for a more porous high suction surface such as sand and cement screed, you will need a primer. Watco 4 Hour Epoxy Primer is an ideal choice which allows priming and coating within the same day to reduce site downtime.

Finally, if you are preparing to paint a floor that has been previously coated, you will need to abrade it in order to remove any weak or loose paint from the surface. Then, make sure to check how well the remaining paint is bonded to the floor. Watco Bio D can be used to remove any grease and oil from the painted surface before it is painted over with the new anti slip coating.