Cold Temperature Epoxy

November 18, 2016

Installing Epoxy in Coolers and Cold Temperature

Extend Epoxy Installation Season into Winter

I have spoken on this subject here before but this time of year I get a lot of calls and emails about installing epoxy in cold temperatures. Our company started out as an installation company in Vermont. Summers are very short and winters are very long in Vermont. To stay a viable company, we had to figure ways of working through the winter.

Tenting and heating areas during the winter is time consuming and expensive. The solution is found in resin products that will set in low temperatures. The most durable and cost effective options of installation at cold temperatures is Epoxy and Methyl Methacrylate.

Cold Temperature Cure Resins can also be used as a super-fast setting Resinous Mortar or Coating at normal temperatures. Our Cold Temperature Cure Resins used at normal temperature give you quick turnaround time for small jobs, or larger jobs that require a short turn-around time.

Cold Temperatures Epoxies

Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Resins allow installation to be done at low temperatures as low as 35°F., (although it sets a lot faster at 40°F) expanding your epoxy coating and epoxy flooring installation season. Epoxy.com Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Resins can also be used in cold storage areas like food processing areas, where the temperature cannot be raised higher than 35° F or so. Normal cured epoxy typically requires 50°F or more.

Depending on how you mix the aggregate into the products below, they can be used as a mortar for overlays, or a grout for sealing between other hardened construction materials.

Commonly Used Cold Temperature epoxies

Product #1 Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Coating is 100% solids and specially formulated coatings for cold temperature applications. Cold Temperature Epoxy Coating #1 is able to cure at temperatures as low as 35°F. It is has Zero (0) VOCs. Since it has no VOCs, it has no solvent so it meets the strictest possible standard for a low VOC coating. It is often used in coolers and food preparation areas that require constant low temperatures. Product #1 Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Coating is also frequently used in room temperature applications to meet super-fast cure, limited shutdown needs.

Product #10 Cold Temperature Curing Epoxy Mortar Resin – This product has a low modulus of elasticity (flexibility) and is Low Viscosity. The low viscosity allows heavy loading of the right fillers. The heavy filler loading helps not only to save money, but helps to maintain better thermal coefficient with respect to concrete and steel. The low modulus of elasticity prevents it from being brittle making it less vulnerable to thermal coefficient differences. It also gives it better impact resistance.

You can find more information on cold temperature cured epoxy at: http://www.epoxy.com/EpoxyColdCured.aspx.

Please send me your questions to me by email to norm@epoxy.com

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Posted by Norm Lambert

November 8, 2016



Epoxy Sealing a Floor Drain

Epoxy Sealing a Floor Drain

How to Seal Around an Existing Floor Drain with Epoxy.com Systems

Updated May 2025 with improved product recommendations and application tips.

The Problem

“I have a second-floor production area that has a long stainless steel trench drain around the center of the room. We hose the area down with hot water, but a crack is developing next to the drain that allows water to leak into the room below. The floor under my quarry tile is concrete.”

The Solution

Here’s how to permanently seal around a stainless steel drain using Epoxy.com Products #660, #10, #82, and #2 for industrial-grade waterproofing and chemical resistance.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Remove Surrounding Tile

Carefully remove the quarry tile around the perimeter of the floor drain.

2. Clean Back to Bare Concrete

Remove all grout and thinset to expose clean, sound concrete.
Surface prep guide

3. Undercut or V-Groove the Concrete Edge

  • Cut or chip a V-groove around the drain
  • Increase bonding surface for epoxy
  • Avoid cutting through the slab

4. Abrade the Drain Edge

  • Roughen stainless steel to remove shine
  • A dull surface improves bonding

5. Clean Thoroughly

  • Vacuum loose debris
  • If using air, ensure it’s oil-free

6. Prime the Drain Edge

Apply Product #660 – Aluminum Filled Primer.
Tack-free in 1–2 hours; recoat within 24 hours at 75°F.

7. Prime the Concrete

Mix and apply neat (resin + hardener only) Product #10 to all concrete and primed metal surfaces.

8. Install Epoxy Mortar

Mix Product #10 with Product #82 Mortar Aggregate.
Trowel into the cleaned drain perimeter and smooth flush. Let cure overnight.

9. Seal the Surface

Apply a squeegee coat of neat Product #10 to fully seal the repair area.

10. Allow to Cure

Let cure for 10–12 hours at 75°F.

11. Topcoat with Product #2 + Anti-Skid

Apply Product #2 – Chemical Resistant Epoxy Coating with Anti-Skid Additive.

12. Apply Second Coat

Repeat Step 11 for added durability.

Why This Works

  • Prevents water migration into lower levels
  • Resists chemical cleaning agents
  • Withstands high-temp washdowns
  • Bonds to both stainless steel and concrete

Need Help?

Contact Epoxy.com Technical Support:
📞 Call: 352-533-2167
📧 Email: info@epoxy.com
🌐 Visit: www.epoxy.com

Illustration

Cross-section of floor drain sealed with epoxy mortar and primer

Blog Details

  • Excerpt: Learn how to seal around stainless floor drains in food processing plants using epoxy systems from Epoxy.com.
  • Tags: epoxy floor drain, trench drain seal, epoxy patching, product #10, food plant waterproofing
  • Category: Floor & Drain Repairs
  • Slug: epoxy-floor-drain-repair

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Posted by Norm Lambert

Care of Epoxy Floors

November 1, 2016

Epoxy Flooring Systems and Coatings

Daily Maintenance of Seamless Flooring and Floor Coatings

  • Sweep the floors daily.epoxy_chip_flooring_263s
  • If abrasive particles  are present they should be removed by mopping with common household detergents and rinsed completely.  Be sure not to use the detergent at a concentration higher than that recommended by the manufacturer of the floor cleaning material.  Be sure to test any cleaner that you haven’t used before on a sample of the Seamless Flooring Material or Seamless Floor coating.  You may want to be sure to prepare these samples as you are installing the floor so they will be available to you at a later time.
  • Promptly remove grease, and other contaminants from the surface of the floor
  • Be sure to rinse off all chemical solutions that may attack the surface.

Weekly Maintenance of Seamless Flooring and Floor Coatings

Smooth Systems

All seamless flooring and floor coatings should be mopped on a regular bases with a neutral soap or detergent, and completely rinsed. Be sure not to use the detergent at a concentration higher than that recommended by the manufacturer of the floor cleaning material.

Be sure to test any cleaner that you haven’t used before on a sample of the Seamless Flooring Material or Seamless Floor coating.

Mop should be rinsed often. Synthetic mops tend to work better on textured surfaces than cotton mops. The water should be changed frequently as well. Smooth floors are easily cleaned this way. It may be necessary to give extra care to areas that are subject to heavy traffic, hard rubber wheels, and steel wheels that leave marks. In these situations you can use the methods used for textured floors for these more difficult to remove contamination.

Textured Systems

Textured systems may require the use of a stiff bristled brush or floor scrubber to reach to bottom of the anti-skid texture.  Severe problem areas can be treated as follows:

Grease Removal

Grease is typically removed by Tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) or other commonly available biodegradable cleaner. Contact Epoxy.comTechnical Support Department with your specific questions.

Removing Dairy Products

Dairy products should be removed immediately as they may cause staining on some types of seamless flooring and seamless floor coating systems.

Tire Marks Removal

Scrub the area(s) with a stiff bristled brush and using the same biodegradable floor cleaner that you are using to mop with.

Stubborn Dirt or Stain Removal

When you are trying to remove stubborn dirt or stains,allow the biodegradable cleaner to set in the area for a little while longer and do the work for you. Then completely rinse to area to remove the cleaner and the dirt.

Chemical Spills

You should always rinse strong chemicals as quickly as possible completely from the surface. Chemicals allowed to dry on the surface typically become more concentrated as they dry.  That may cause the chemical to get concentrated enough to stain or even attack the seamless floor or seamless floor coating.

Waxing and Polishing of Seamless Flooring and Seamless Floor Coatings

Epoxy.com Epoxy and Urethane Seamless Flooring and Seamless Floor Coating Systems are very shinny and so waxing or polishing are not necessary.  If a floor is very old, or has seen extremely high traffic this shine may dull.  If it does then you can wax or polish the floor with standard commercial products that are designed for that purpose. Better yet, if this happens, you may want to renew or refinish your system – see below.

Renewing and Refinishing Seamless Flooring and Seamless Floor Coating Systems

Epoxy.com Epoxy and Urethane Seamless Flooring and Seamless Floor Coating Systems are designed to withstand heavy traffic and wear.  However, if there is enough traffic and/or abuse to cause the system to loose its shine, or show visible signs of wear, you may wish to restore the floor by “re-glazing” it.  Before re-glazing a flooring system or coating system you need to do the following:

  • Remove all wax, oil, grease and other contaminants from the surface
  • Lightly sand to break the shine
  • Consult with Epoxy.com Technical Support Department for the proper material to re-glaze you floor.  Be sure to follow all directions for installing the re-glazing material.

When in doubt contact Epoxy.com Technical Support at: info@epoxy.com or call us at 352-533-2167. You can also visit our website 24 hours per day at www.epoxy.com

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Posted by Norm Lambert

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

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