Machine Shop Floors

October 14, 2016

A customer writes, “I have a machine shop floor. The concrete has had a lot of oil on it over the years.  I need an anti-skid floor that will be easy to clean and will hold up to cutting oils and anti-freeze and protect the environment.”

We have done exactly what you are asking many times.  A mechanics shop floor typically is done the same way.  Here is how:

1.       Good surface prep – www.epoxy.com/surfaceprep.aspx

2.       Properly mix and apply 1 coat of Epoxy.com Product #201 – www.epoxy.com/201.aspx oil stop primer to all oil saturated or potentially oil saturated areas at a rate of 200-300 SF per gallon.  Allow this to harden and inspect for good bond (see “Checking the Bond” below.  If any areas are loose return to step 1. If everything is well bonded proceed to next step within 24 hours of  this step.

3.       Properly mix and apply 1 coat of Epoxy.com Product #899 – www.epoxy.com/899.aspx – applied at a rate of 250-300 SF per gallon.  Allow to cure hard and proceed to next step within 24 hours of this step.

4.       Properly mix (including optional but recommended anti-skid 4a below) and apply first coat of Epoxy.com Product #2  – www.epoxy.com/2.aspx  – at a rate of 160-200 SF per gallon per coat by brush or roller. Allow to cure hard and proceed to next step within 24 hours of this step.

a.       Mix optional but recommended Epoxy.com Anti-Skid – http://www.epoxy.com/non-skid-additive-polycarbonate-aggregate.aspx – to the #2 at a rate of 12-16 ounces per gallon of mixed epoxy.  Mix completely into the mixed A&B #2 before applying the #2

5.       Properly mix (including optional but recommended Anti-Skid – http://www.epoxy.com/non-skid-additive-polycarbonate-aggregate.aspx 5a below) and apply 2nd coat of Epoxy.com Product #2  – www.epoxy.com/2.aspx  – at a rate of 160-200 SF per gallon per coat by brush or roller. Allow to cure hard for 24 hours at 70 degrees F. for light traffic, 48 hours for light traffic.

a.       Mix optional but recommended Epoxy.com Anti-Skid to the #2 at a rate of 12-16 ounces per gallon of mixed epoxy.  Mix completely into the mixed A&B #2 before applying the #2

Checking The Bond

There are a number of ways to check the bond of a floor.  A simple way with Epoxy Flooring is to try to separate the epoxy from the concrete. That can be done with the corner of a putty knife or a screw driver.  If you can remove the coating cleanly from the concrete without pulling concrete it is likely that you have a bond problem.  If you cannot get it off or you must dig off concrete to get it off, you most likely have a good bond.

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Posted by Norm Lambert

Patching Vinyl Ester Floors With Novolac

July 28, 2016

A customer writes:

“We have a dairy processing and packaging facility that was built circa 1994.  At the time of construction we chose to install a flooring system which was vinyl ester based with fiberglass mat.  The floor has held up quite well in areas where it had a good bond.  The failures we have seen are in areas that covered either an expansion joint or control joint in the concrete.  In these areas the flooring has delaminated from the concrete.  Where possible we have made a clean cut through the flooring to an area where we had a good bond and left the concrete exposed.  Other failure areas are around floor drains.  We have made repairs with quick curing epoxies in the past but these don’t seem to bond well to the existing vinyl ester flooring. 

“Having a manufacturing facility with only one down day limits our ability to make substantive repairs.  During a search for low or no VOC  flooring systems I you folks.”

I have personally made many thousands of square feet of floor repairs that sounds exactly like the issues and conditions that you are describing.

Here is what I did to permanently resolve the issue, at least in the patched areas.

  1. Cut back the edges of the delaminated areas back to a point where the vinyl ester is well attached.
  2. Prep the concrete under the failed area and the edges of the old material – epoxy.com/surfaceprep.aspx.
  3. Prime with Epoxy.com Product #12 – epoxy.com/12.aspx
  4. Install a trowel coat of Epoxy.com Product #630 – epoxy.com/633.aspx and
    1. Epoxy Mortar Blend aggregate #82 Mortar Blend Aggregate
    2. Allow to cure hard to the touch and cool.
  5. Glaze with a neat coat of Epoxy.com Product #633 with optional Anti-skid – http://epoxy.com/non-skid-additive-polycarbonate-aggregate.aspx

Please email your additional questions to norm@epoxy.com or visit http://www.epoxy.com .

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Posted by Norm Lambert

Water Cleanable Epoxy Tile Grout

July 6, 2016

Question:

” Do you have a formula of epoxy that can be used as a water cleanable epoxy grout for tile installations? If so please provide me a product data sheet.”

Yes that is Epoxy.com Product #225 Water Cleanable Tile Grout and Adhesive

Epoxy.com’ Product #225

Water Cleanable Epoxy Grout and Adhesive With Filler

100% Solids Epoxy and Special Fillers – Water Cleanable – No Portland Cement Content

 

DESCRIPTION


Epoxy.com Product #225 Water Cleanable Epoxy Tile Grout and Adhesive  is a user friendly, water cleanable, 100% solids epoxy grout and adhesive and Filler Powder . Used for grouting ceramic tile, brick pavers, and stone, Epoxy.com Product #225 Water Cleanable Epoxy Tile Grout and Adhesive is supplied in pre-packaged kits containing resin, hardener, and mineral fillers that produce a dense, uniform seal. Typical applications for Epoxy.com Product #225 Water Cleanable Epoxy Tile Grout and Adhesive require resistance to thermal shock, chemicals, and heavy traffic including meat packers, breweries, canneries, bottlers, CIP areas, and pharmaceutical formulators.

ADVANTAGES

  • User Friendly Packaging
  • Low Odor for use in Occupied Areas
  • Meets ANSI A-118.3 Specification for Chemical Resistant, Water Cleanable Epoxy Grout
  • Available with Cold-Room Hardener
  • Low Viscosity-good wetting properties
  • Versatile-for both Setting and Grouting all Types of Tile
  • USDA Approvable
  • Available in Floor Grade and in Wall Grade
  • Zero (0) VOC – No VOC content means it meets the strictest Low VOC requirements

SURFACE PREPARATION

Surface Preparation is the most critical portion of any successful resinous flooring system application. Work must be performed by trained or experienced contractors or maintenance personnel. Epoxy.com service department is pleased to answer any questions. Before grouting, clean joints and the tile surface with a damp sponge to remove dust, dirt, and other contaminants. Do not leave water standing in joints. Do not clean tiles with acid cleaners.

MIXING

Empty entire contents of  Epoxy.com Product #225 Water Cleanable Epoxy Tile Grout and Adhesive Part A and Part B into a clean mixing pail. With a slow speed drill or margin trowel, mix until liquids are completely blended. Add at least ¾ of the  TILE GROUT FILLER (more for wide joints) and blend until uniform.

CONSIDERATIONS

Picture of #225 on a floor
  • Substrate must be free of dirt, waxes, curing agents, and other foreign materials
  • Protect from exposure to chemicals and harsh cleaners until fully cured.
  • Substrate temperature must be a minimum of 50°F-Contact Epoxy.com for Low Temperature Cure

INSTALLATION

Pour mixed Epoxy.com Product #225 Water Cleanable Epoxy Tile Grout and Adhesive onto working area. Following standard epoxy and grouting techniques, apply to surface. Be sure all grouted joints are completely filled. Remove excess grout with grout float. Do not leave excess grout on face of tiles. For complete installation instructions, contact Epoxy.com Technical Service.

CLEAN UP

Picture of Counter Top Grouted with #225

Some tiles and pavers can be stained by color pigments in Epoxy.com Product #225 Water Cleanable Epoxy Tile Grout and Adhesive. Try small area to determine results before grouting entire surface.

Clean skin with soap and water. Tools and equipment should be cleaned with xylene or lacquer thinner. Consult Material Safety Data for safety and health precautions.

Composition

Epoxy.com Product #225 Water Cleanable Epoxy Tile Grout and Adhesive is a100% Solids Epoxy Adhesive and Grout Fillers

PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES

Tensile Strength ASTM C-307 2,000 to 2,500 psi
Compressive Strength ASTM C-579 15,000 psi
Flexural Strength ASTM C-580 3,800 to 4,100 psi
Water Absorption 24 hours 0.15%
Heat Resistance 160°F Continuous
230°F Intermittent
Bond Strength to Concrete ASTM C-321 350-400 psi

CURE/DRY TIME

Working Life 45 minutes
Initial Cure 6-7 hours @ 75°F
Full Set Time Overnight
Full Cure & Maximum Resistance 5-10 days

MAINTENANCE

After completing the application of Epoxy.com Product #225 Water Cleanable Epoxy Tile Grout and Adhesive, the installer should provide the owner with maintenance instructions. If floors become slippery due to animal fats, oil, grease, or soap film, clean and rinse thoroughly. Epoxy.com Product #225 is easily cleaned with neutral soaps or detergent

COLOR SELECTION

Epoxy.com Product #225 Water Cleanable Epoxy Tile Grout and Adhesive is available in custom colors, subject to laboratory approval, minimum quantity, lead time for production, and increased cost.

Color Chart HereClick the picture of color card below  for a larger version of this picture of the color chart.
Please note:  The picture to the right is a photographic reproduction of the color card for this product.  The photo reproduction process and your monitor and/or printer will change these colors.  This chart is to give you an idea of the colors available and not intended for critical color selections.

Need help figuring out how much Epoxy.com Product #225 Water Cleanable Epoxy Tile Grout and Adhesive you will need.  Use the Epoxy.com Product #225 Grout Calculator.

Grout Calculator.

Matagascar Glass Tile Mural at the Bronx Zoo in NY done in Epoxy.com Product #225 - Click to Enlarge

Matagascar Glass Tile Mural at the Bronx Zoo in NY done in Epoxy.com Product #225
Glass Tile Mural – Close Up
Madagascar Exhibit at the Bronx Zoo in NY
Mural and Pictures by: Jeannie Egel

 

 

 

 

For more information please contact:

Epoxy.com
A Division of Epoxy Systems, Inc
20774 W. Pennsylvania Ave.
Dunnellon, Florida 34431
Over 300 products,
Since 1980
Florida & Vermont
USA

Office Hours: 9AM-4PM Eastern Time (6AM-1PM Pacific Time).
Closed 12Noon-1PM Eastern Time for Lunch.

321-206-1833   Customer Service – Ordering and Order Status
Katey Fontaine, VP – Customer Service Director
sales@epoxy.com

 352-533-2167 Technical Support
Norm Lambert, President – Technical Support Director
info@epoxy.com

352-489-1666   Accounting and Administration
Debby Lambert, CEO, and CFO
office@epoxy.com 

352-489-1625   Fax line to all Departments
 www.epoxy.com

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Posted by Norm Lambert

Monument Repairs with Epoxy

March 9, 2016

A technician who uses a non-Epoxy.com product to repair tombstones wrote me recently looking for help with problems that he was having. He goes on to say that the epoxy that he uses never fails, but rather the stone fails. When a secondary break occurs, the stone always re-breaks about 2 mm (about ¾ inch) above or below the epoxy joint. The epoxy attached to about 2 mm of the stone and holds well.

He asked me if the epoxy shrinks so much that it will ‘ pull away ‘ from the stone it’s attached to, and in his case, it pulls about 2mm of stone with it.

No I doubt it is epoxy shrinkage causing the problem. High quality epoxy has little or no shrinkage. It would have to be a very poor quality epoxy to be shrinking enough to do that.

The reason his epoxy is not working is that it is too rigid. His existing rigid material has a “high modulus of elasticity”. A material with “high modulus of elasticity” is a material that is stiff and/or rigid. A “low modulus of elasticity” material is semi-flexible, and is not rigid or brittle.

T pieces of the stone structure (in this case a tombstone) and pieces not in touch with the ground tend to get hotter and cooler faster than the larger pieces and pieces with ground contact. This is called “differential timing of the event”. For example the top of a tombstone can be heated and cooled on 5 sides, the top and the 4 sides. The base of the tombstone which is buried in the ground has earth or stone on all of its surfaces. This earth and stone tends to keep the temperature of the base more stable by insulating it and slowing the change in temperature. This works much like the insulation in your house slows temperature changes inside your house.

When an object like a piece of stone is heated it expands (gets bigger). When an object cools it contracts (gets smaller). For example 100 feet of concrete will be 1 inch longer once it is heated 100 degrees F. That is why expansion joints are cut into concrete.

In the case of tombstones all the pieces of the same type of stone have very similar if not identical “coefficient of expansion”. Since the pieces are positioned with potentially different timing of heating and cooling there is a “differential timing of the event” (see above). The result is stress areas you are seeing in the closest weakened plane in the stone near the bond line.

Product #2005 was specifically designed for tombstone (monuments) and/or stone bonding, or repair. Epoxy.com Product #2005 is very strong yet it is has a “low modulus of elasticity” (semi-flexible). The low-modulus of elasticity helps to absorb differential movement (two sections of stone heating and cooling at different times), making it much less likely to cause a stress area in adjacent weakened planes.

Camouflage the bond line rubbing stone dust(ground off the original stone or a similar colored stone) into any exposed epoxy material while the epoxy is still “wet”. That way the dust will stick in the wet epoxy making the epoxy difficult to impossible to see.

Please send your additional question and blog ideas to norm@epoxy.com

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Posted by Norm Lambert

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