How to Protect Your Surfaces During Winter with Epoxy Coatings and Aliphatic Urethane Protection

January 19, 2025

Winter weather can cause significant damage to outdoor surfaces, whether from snow, ice, salt, or freezing temperatures. Surfaces like driveways, patios, and garages are particularly vulnerable, and without proper protection, you could face cracking, staining, or erosion over time. Thankfully, Epoxy.com offers durable, weather-resistant epoxy coatings  and for ultimate protection, finishing with Epoxy.com Aliphatic Urethane Coating  ensures your surfaces are safeguarded even in winter’s toughest conditions.

Why Winter Can Damage Your Surfaces

Winter combines several destructive elements:

        •        Cracking: Repeated freeze-thaw cycles cause materials to expand and contract, leading to cracks.

        •        Staining: De-icing salts and chemicals leave unsightly marks on concrete and stone.

        •        Erosion: Snowmelt mixed with salt wears down surfaces, reducing their lifespan.

These challenges make it crucial to apply a protective barrier before winter hits.

How Epoxy Coatings Provide Winter Protection

Epoxy coatings from Epoxy.com act as a powerful shield, offering:

        •        Durability: Withstand freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and frequent vehicle or foot traffic.

        •        Chemical Resistance: Protect against salt, motor oil, and harsh de-icing agents.

        •        Waterproofing: Seal surfaces against moisture intrusion, minimizing freeze-thaw damage.

        •        Ease of Maintenance: A sleek finish simplifies snow and ice removal.

Pro Tip: Enhance your epoxy coating’s performance with Epoxy.com Aliphatic Urethane Coating as the final layer. Its UV resistance ensures your surface remains protected and looking great year-round, even when exposed to direct sunlight after snow melts.

Steps to Winter-Proof Your Surfaces

        1.        Inspect the Surface: Look for cracks or weak spots that require repair.

        2.        Clean Thoroughly: Remove dirt, grease, and debris for optimal adhesion.

        3.        Repair Cracks: Fill gaps with an epoxy patch kit to create a smooth surface.

        4.        Prime the Surface: Use an Epoxy.com primer for enhanced adhesion and durability.

        5.        Apply the Epoxy Coating: Choose a high-performance Epoxy.com product suitable for your project.

        6.        Finish with Aliphatic Urethane Coating: Apply Epoxy.com Aliphatic Urethane Coating as the final step. This layer adds:

        •        UV Protection: Prevent fading, chalking, and degradation caused by sunlight after the snow clears.

        •        Enhanced Durability: Provide an additional barrier against abrasions, chemicals, and wear.

        7.        Allow to Cure: Follow curing instructions to ensure maximum strength and protection.

Why Choose Epoxy.com for Winter Protection

At Epoxy.com, our products are designed to withstand extreme winter challenges while delivering exceptional performance and aesthetics. Here’s why professionals and DIYers trust us:

        •        Superior Durability: Products engineered for long-lasting performance.

        •        UV Resistance: Aliphatic urethane coatings protect outdoor surfaces year-round.

        •        Easy Application: Detailed guides ensure flawless results every time.

Start Winter-Proofing Today

Protect your surfaces from winter’s wear and tear with Epoxy.com epoxy coatings and Aliphatic Urethane Coating. Whether you’re preparing a driveway, patio, or garage, our products provide the durability, chemical resistance, and UV protection you need.

Don’t let winter damage your property—start your epoxy project today with Epoxy.com products for the ultimate combination of functionality, protection, and style.

Ready to get started?

For more detailed information Contact Us Today:

Call:

321-206-1833 (orders)

352-533-2167 (technical support)

Email: sales@epoxy.com

Visit: www.epoxy.com

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Posted by Norm Lambert

Mitigation of Concrete Slab Chemical Vapors

January 29, 2020

How do I stop chemicals gas vapors from contaminated soils passing though a concrete slab? This is a question I get frequently from owners and environmental mitigation experts.

Background

Chemical contamination vapors tend to pass though a concrete slab and get into the air above. Stopping the migration of the gas through a slab is frequently a requirement of repurposing a space.

The following steps can be used to mitigate chemical vapors into your space above it. Without the right tools these vapors in the air from contamination under that slab can be quite pervasive.

Each job needs to be evaluated on an individual bases. The tools below make the solution less evasive.

Cracks through the Concrete Slab

The most direct way for soil contamination gasses to get in is through cracks. Cracks are the path of least resistance, so most of your vapors come through cracks in the floor. That is a very easy fix Product #684LV – Methyl Methacrylate Crack Healer and Sealer.

The #684LV has about the viscosity (thickness) of diesel fuel. That makes it easy to gravity feed into small cracks small porous areas of the concrete. It welds the cracks back together with a bond strength that is greater than the tensile strength of the concrete. In other words structurally you have the monolithic structure that the concrete was intended to be.

Expansion Joints

Expansion joints are the also a very direct route for vapors to come in. To seal these joints use Product #632 – Chemical Resistant Joint Filler. This is a highly chemical resistant joint filler. It will not only keep the vapors out. If there is going to be a chemical exposure to the surface there will it will stop the chemicals from attacking your concrete and further contaminating the soils below it.

Sealing the Surface of the Concrete Slab.

The next step is to prime the concrete with Product #12 Chemical Resistant Primer / Sealer.

This is where there is a couple of ways to go. You can apply an additional coat or coats of the #12 or go on to Coating the Concrete Slab below. Our optional translucent Synthetic Anti-Skid Fine may be added to the #12 if it is used in additional coats as a clear sealer.

The Product #12 Primer Sealer can also be mixed with silica sand and used as a patching material for potholes and otherwise damaged concrete if required.

Coating the Concrete Slap 

In many cases you will want to install a coating over the concrete slab.  There are a number of options for doing this but here are a few of the most common ones.  The biggest difference between these coatings is the chemical resistance. Please See Chemical Resistance Chart for a comparison of chemical resistance of the products below. All of these products are 100% solid, zero voc.  All of the coatings in this section are highly durable and resist the abrasion of traffic. 

UV Resistant Top-Coating

For jobs that will see direct sunlight.  It may be desirable to add an ultra violet (UV) Resistant top coating for the systems above.  

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Posted by Norm Lambert

Epoxy.com Product #441 vs #442

October 20, 2017

What is the difference between Epoxy.com Product #441 and Product #442?

441 and 442 Duel Component Urethane

How They are the Same

Both Products are two component water- based aliphatic (non-yellowing) polyurethane. both products are free of the health and environmental problems normally found in solvent-based urethanes, while maintaining excellent performance properties.

Both Epoxy.com Product #441 and  Product #442  have good chemical, stain, and mar resistance. In addition, it’s easy to clean and has excellent color retention under heavy foot traffic.

Both products high performance coating for use in a variety of seamless floor and wall coating systems.

Both Products eliminates the strong solvent odor normally associated with high performance materials.

They are both ideal for topcoats and finishes that require high abrasion resistance. Typical application areas are clean rooms, hospitals, pharmaceutical facilities, stained concrete, wood floors, and as a seal coat for most Epoxy.com floor and wall coating systems.

How They Are Different

Epoxy.com Product #441 is a satin Finish

Epoxy.com Product  #442 polyurethane provides a gloss finish.

Need this Product, Order it Soon

This product cannot be shipped to cold climates in very cold weather, so get your material  soon while you still can.

Additional Questions:

For additional information please visit http://www.epoxy.com, email me at norm@epoxy.com or call Epoxy.com Technical Support at 352-533-2167.

 

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Posted by Norm Lambert

Urethane- High Solids

July 6, 2017

URETHANE COATING/SEALER GLOSS

EPOXY.COM PRODUCT #442

Description

EPOXY.COM PRODUCT #442 is a two component water- based
aliphatic (non-yellowing) polyurethane. Product #442 is free of the
health and environmental problems normally found in solvent-based
urethanes, while maintaining excellent performance properties. Product
#442 is also available in an ESD formulation which must be applied over
a base coat of Epoxy.com Conductive Epoxy.

EPOXY.COM PRODUCT #442 polyurethane provides a gloss finish. Product
#442 has good chemical, stain, and mar resistance. In addition, it’s easy to clean
and has excellent color retention under heavy foot traffic.

EPOXY.COM PRODUCT #442 is a high performance coating
for use in a variety of seamless floor and wall coating systems. Product
#442 eliminates the strong solvent odor normally associated with high
performance materials. It’s ideal for topcoats and finishes that require
high abrasion resistance. Typical application areas are clean rooms,
hospitals, pharmaceutical facilities, stained concrete, wood floors, and
as a seal coat for most Epoxy.com floor and wall
coating systems.

ADVANTAGES

  • Low VOC
  • Low Odor
  • Fast Cure
  • Excellent Adhesion
  • Excellent Abrasion Resistance

CONSIDERATIONS

  • Allow material to rest for 15-20 minutes for viscosity adjustment.
  • Application rate is no less than 250-275 square feet per gallon. Thicker films will
    show bubbling in the cured film.

COMPOSITION

EPOXY.COM PRODUCT #442 is a polyester resin/aliphatic polyisocyanate.

COLOR SELECTION

EPOXY.COM PRODUCT #442 is available in clear and pigmented colors. Gloss finish.
ESD formulation available in clear or pigmented.

APPLICATION

SURFACE PREPARATION

Surface Preparation is the most critical portion of any successful resinous flooring
system application. All substrates must be properly prepared as outlined in Epoxy.com
Surface Preparation Procedures..

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS

  • Mix only that amount of material that can be used in a two hour period. In hot weather,
    plan work for the cooler times of the day.
  • If using less than full units, proportion the amounts carefully and mix for 2-3
    minutes using a low speed drill, scraping the bottom and sides of the mixing vessel.
    DO NOT ADD WATER.

APPLICATION

  • Apply Product #442 polyurethane at a spread rate of 275-300 square feet per gallon
    to achieve 2.0-2.5 mils dry. Thicker application may result in bubbling in the cured
    film.
  • Recoat time is approximately 10 hours at 77°F.
  • Keep a wet edge at all times.
  • Apply Product #442 ESD at a spread rate of 160 square feet per gallon to achieve
    5 mils dry.
  • Use with adequate ventilation.
  • Read material safety data sheet before using.

TECHNICAL DATA

Mixing Ratio  Clear 4 Parts A to 1 Part B by Volume
Solids Content  Clear 43%, by Volume
Volatile Organic Content (VOC) 0.10 pounds/gallon
Pot Life 1 ½  – 2 hrs. @ 77°F, 1 Quart45 minutes @ 95°F, 1 Quart
Viscosity After 15 Minutes @ 77°F 500-600 cps.
Viscosity After 30 Minutes @ 77°F 600 cps.

Wait 15-20 minutes after mixing to start application. Viscosity will decrease with time.

DO NOT ADD WATER.

PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES

Gloss, 60˚ – Clear Gloss Finish
Tabor Abrasion,

1,000 gm. load,

1,000 cycles,

CS-17 Wheel

 45 mg. loss
Impact Strength
ASTM-D-2794		 Direct 160 in. lbs.

Reverse 160 in. lbs.

DRY TIME @ 77°F, 50% R.H.

Dry to Touch 6 hours
Recoat 10 hours
Light Traffic 16-24 hours
Full Cure 4-5 days

MAINTENANCE

After completing the application of EPOXY.COM PRODUCT #442 Urethane Coating/Sealer, the installer should provide the owner with maintenance instructions.
EPOXY.COM PRODUCT #442 is easily cleaned with neutral soaps or detergents.

More Information

For more information visit http://www.epoxy.com, email me at norm@epoxy.com or contact Epoxy.com Technical Support Department at 352-533-2167

Leave a Comment » | aliphatic urethane, duel component urethane, high solids polyrethane, high solids polyurethane UV resistant, High solids urethane, Installation, New Products, Polyurethane, Urethane, Waterproofing | Permalink
Posted by Norm Lambert