What Are The Tips For Implementing Epoxy Coatings In Cold Weather?

Epoxy coatings are important for protecting surfaces from damage-from scratches and abrasion to chemicals and more. Although they can be used at cold temperatures, epoxy coatings must be handled and applied with special techniques adapted to the environment. For example, mixing an epoxy resin and a hardener creates a chemical reaction that produces heat. 

Both the ambient temperature and the temperature of the concrete affect the epoxy’s rate of reaction and degree of cure. Suppose the coating is applied in cooler temperatures.

In that case, the epoxy may appear sufficiently hardened, but it will not reach a complete cure or achieve its designed physical properties, ultimately failing prematurely.

Epoxy floor coating is one of the most high-quality, durable custom garage flooring options available to homeowners. However, installing this type of floor coating in cold weather can be a challenge.

Below are some tips to help you choose the right epoxy floor coating and install it successfully when the weather is cold. It’s that time of year when winter has arrived in many places.

Applying an epoxy floor coating will protect your flooring from scratches and other damage.

 However, suppose you plan to apply an epoxy flooring coating during the cold winter months. In that case, you must consider the impacts of low temperatures when storing materials, applying the coating, and curing.

Here are some tips for applying an epoxy floor finish in cooler weather.

Cold Weather Tips For Applying An Epoxy Floor Coating

If you want to protect your flooring from scratches and other damage, you should apply an epoxy floor coating. However, suppose you plan to apply an epoxy flooring coating during the cold months of winter.

In that case, you will need to keep the effects of low temperature in mind when it comes to storing materials, applying the coating, and curing. Here are a few cold weather tips for applying an epoxy floor coating. 

Temperature Tips For Epoxy

When it comes to applying an epoxy floor coating during cold weather, the most relevant temperature is the temperature of the floor rather than the temperature of the air within your home.

The reason for this is that when you apply epoxy to the floor, the temperature of the epoxy will immediately take on the temperature of the floor.

The temperature of the epoxy product will affect the success of the process of applying an epoxy floor coating.

Changes in temperature can cause a drastic change in the functional properties of epoxy. For example, an epoxy coating that is usually 400 CPS can become 2000 CPS as a result of cold weather. An epoxy coating with a very high CPS will be harder to roll, trowel, and squeegee.

Warm The Resin & Hardener Before Use

To ensure the chemical reaction is off to a good start and promote optimal curing, warm the resin and hardener with heat lamps or keep them in a heated environment before use. For example, suppose the epoxy is being used outdoors.

In that case, a small, portable epoxy storage box can be built out of rigid sheets of foil-backed insulation, with a regular light bulb or an electric heating pad inside, to maintain a temperature of 70-90° F (21-32° C).

This method will keep the warm resin and hardener near the work area and prevent the material from cooling off before it can be mixed and applied.

In addition, the area must be kept heated during the epoxy’s full cure time. If the manufacturer’s literature says that the epoxy cure time is eight hours, assume that means eight hours at 70° F (21° C).

If the substrate and environment temperature are lower, the cure time will be longer. As a general rule of thumb, the cure time doubles for every 18° F drop in temperature below 70° F.

So, if the substrate and environment can only be heated to 50° F, the epoxy will require about 18 hours to cure. Keep in mind that most epoxies, unless specifically formulated for cold-weather use, will never fully cure at temperatures below 50° F.

Except those specifically formulated and labelled with the ability to cure at low temperatures, epoxy coatings are typically best suited for application at temperatures above 50°F (10°C). However, the ideal application temperature is dependent on the product.

To learn the minimum recommended application temperature for the product, applicators should refer to the epoxy coating literature or contact the manufacturer.

They should then ensure the coating environment stays at or above that temperature during application and for the entire curing period.

Warming the resin, hardener, and workspace before using it will make it simpler to pour and operate. The ideal method is to keep the resin indoors before use and carry it in the vehicle under a heating outlet.

Similarly, make a hot box that will maintain the resin at an optimal temperature of no more than 30 °C. Then, you may use it on the project.

Keep The Products Stored In Standard Room Temperature

It is a good idea to keep the products stored in a warm place, so when you are applying them, the actual temperature of the products is not that cold, and that will help with the levelling.

So please don’t keep them stored in a cold place where it will be freezing overnight or even close to freezing.

Understand How Temperature Affects Epoxy

When working with an epoxy coating, the most important temperature to check is the temperature of the garage floor, not the air. This is because the epoxy will take on the temperature of the slab as soon as it comes into contact with it.

If the slab is too cold, you may have trouble.

As you plan to install your floor, make sure that you are paying attention to the right temperatures. The floor will typically be a few degrees colder than the air, but you can check the exact temperature with an infrared thermometer.

Review The Specifications For The Epoxy Coating You Are Considering.

In general, you should not try to apply epoxy floor coating if the humidity is greater than 85 per cent or if the temperature is less than 5 degrees over the dew point. However, check the exact humidity, dewpoint and temperature specifications listed on the epoxy you are considering.

Use these specifications to determine whether the type of epoxy in question will be appropriate for installation during the winter.

If you aren’t sure how to find these specifications, or if you don’t understand them completely, consult a professional garage flooring company for clarification.

Ensure Proper Mix Ratio

It’s important to ensure that the resin and hardener are used in the proper mix ratio. Mixing Part A and Part B off ratios can seriously compromise the epoxy’s ability to cure properly and achieve ultimate strength.

The best practice is to mix the full epoxy kit and not attempt to break it down and mix smaller volumes.

The proper mix ratio depends on the product-another reason to carefully read the instructions before use. For example, many epoxy coatings have a mix ratio of 1:1, which means one part by volume of Part A (the epoxy resin) to one part by volume of Part B (the curing agent).

However, mix ratios of 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 are also common.

In some cases, the defects caused by off-ratio mixing are visually evident during application. The most apparent evidence of an off-ratio mix is an epoxy coating that does not cure-the chemical reaction does not run to completion, and, as a result, the coating stays soft and tacky.

Conversely, an epoxy mixed at the wrong ratio could react too quickly, causing cracks in the cured coating.

Other times, an epoxy coating mixed off-ratio may appear to have cured properly and not be visually different from a coating mixed at the proper ratio. However, the off-ratio mix may affect the coating’s flexibility, chemical resistance, water resistance, and hardness.

Depending on the service environment of the coating, these defects may not be immediately noticeable.

For example, an epoxy floor coating mixed off-ratio could appear to be fine at first. Still, after the floor is in use, the coating could be easily scratched, discoloured upon exposure to water or chemicals, or delaminate.

In contrast to polyester resin, adding an extra hardener does not speed up the process.

Every job requires the same ratio, which is usually 5:1. The specific hardeners have different ratios. As shown with this particular package, all of the necessary information can be found on the back of the tin.

Changing this ratio will weaken the final bond, so forget about “tweaking” the catalyst in polyester and stick to the epoxy ratio. All of the work will be done for you by the adjusted pumps.

Mix Resin & Hardener Thoroughly

The resin and hardener should be mixed thoroughly. As always, pre-mix Parts A and B before combining. Then, mix the two parts for approximately two minutes at a minimum, with a slow speed drill and paddle mixer.

Never mix by hand! Scrape the sides and bottom of the container during mixing. A smaller volume mixing vessel will improve the chemical activity because the limited surface area will not dissipate heat produced by the chemical reaction.

For example, mix a two-gallon unit of epoxy in a three-gallon container.

The estimated epoxy resin and hardener will have to be mixed well, but when it’s colder, more time should be spent making sure the two chemicals are properly added.

A better option is to use a smaller pot than normal to allow the internal heat created by the exothermic chemical reaction to flow more freely through the mix. To verify that all the resin and hardener have been mixed in, insert the mixing stick into the corners.

Consider A Polyurea Or Polyaspartic Coating.

If you need to apply garage floor coating in conditions that aren’t appropriate for epoxy, consider polyurea or polyaspartic coating instead. These floor coatings are alternatives to epoxy.

They can be applied in much colder temperatures and provide better protection. Because of these advantages, you can install polyurea or polyaspartic coatings in the winter without as much trouble.

However, suppose you would rather not install alternative flooring, and the weather isn’t appropriate for epoxy installation.

In that case, it may be best to put off coating the garage floor until temperatures rise again in spring.

Warm Surface & Environment To Fullest Extent

When applied to a warmer surface, the epoxy will thin out and flow much smoother and penetrate better, which will result in a stronger bond.

Warming outdoor areas that will be coated can be done by constructing curing tents around the area and using portable heaters or heat lamps. Never use unvented open-flame heat sources, such as salamanders or catalytic heaters.

The exhaust gases for these types of heaters can contaminate the surface, elevate moisture, and CO2 levels caused by the exhaust, affect the epoxy’s cure and ultimately lead to coating failure. Catalytic heaters do not pose a problem unless used in a confined space, such as a curing tent or box.

Surfaces on an outside building project may be chilly and wet. The cold will cause the molecular bonding of the mixed epoxy to slow down, and moisture may damage the applied coating.

The simplest way is to use lights, portable heaters, or an electric hot air cannon to generate heat. This plywood combination is warmed before being cut open to create a built-in water tank.

Carefully Prepare Surface Before Re-Application

When coating in colder temperatures, the slower cure can result in the formation of amine blush on the epoxy surface. The blush feels like a waxy film on the surface of the cured epoxy.

If a second coat is necessary, immediately wash the surface with warm water using a 3-M pad before applying the second coat. Before the water evaporates, dry the surface with clean, lint-free towels and sand any remaining glossy areas with medium-grit sandpaper.

Ensure all sanding residue is removed before applying the coating.

Before you begin any project, it’s important to understand the effects of applying epoxy in cold weather so you can properly prepare. Implementing these steps into your preparation and application process will ensure a successful outcome.

Clean The Amine

The heat of the reaction quickly disappears when rolling epoxy over a cold surface in cold weather, so the cure may take longer than usual. This allows the epoxy time to absorb any moisture in the air and form an “amine blush” on the finished surface.

This blush seems to be a coating of condensation and should be wiped away with freshwater, let to dry, and then properly polished. The sanding will improve the bonding surface area and provide an improved mechanical “key” for the next layer. Every season carries its own set of challenges. However, you may achieve year-round success with the right information and planning.

Consult ECMAS Group and get a complete solution if you have any queries. We will help you get a successful outcome in all your epoxy applications.

Problems With Applying Epoxy Coating In Cold Temperatures

Pot Time

The number one thing we should look out for when applying epoxies in cold temperatures is the pot life. The time the product requires to react is longer when applied in cold temperatures.

This means you have more time to work with the product; however, sometimes it can be so cold that this will affect recoat times. Therefore, cold temperatures can affect recoat windows and project completion time.

Add Some Solvent To The Mixture

You can also explore adding accelerators or solvents to your epoxy product to help improve the flow of the product. However, it will slow down your curing even more, but at least it will solve the problem of levelling and the proper smoothening of the epoxy. Most epoxy flooring products should be applied between 10 and 30°C, which is about 50 to 86 Fahrenheit.

Ideally, you want to be applying around 20 to 25 °C (68-77F); however, we never have ideal conditions as anyone involved in epoxy flooring will tell you. 

Humidity May Be Higher

This is not a standard rule, but in most cases, you have high humidity that affects your condensation in the winter. The dew point in cold temperatures tends to be closer to room temperature, and this can lead to an increase in relative humidity.

This can cause moisture to settle on the uncured epoxy. This can lead to reduced gloss, blushing, and surface defects on the floor.

Levelling

The third big problem with cold temperatures is levelling. What happens here is that the viscosity of the product and the flow of the epoxy are not as good. When it’s cold, it doesn’t settle and level properly.

You may end up getting trowel marks or nail marks, and this is because it is so cold that the product can’t flow and smoothen properly.

Review The Specs Of The Epoxy Floor Coating

The product specifications of the epoxy will give you some guidance in terms of how you should apply the epoxy floor coating during cold weather. Therefore, before you even start prepping the materials, you should check the specs of the epoxy.

You will find information about the recommended temperature ranges for the application. There will also be information about the recommended dew points and humidity levels.

In general, you should not apply the epoxy floor coating if the humidity is higher than 85% or if the temperature does not surpass the dew point by at least 5 degrees.

Summary

 We want to look at how cold temperature affects epoxy flooring and some tips for applying the epoxy coating in this weather.

You can get different results applying the epoxy coating in the winter from when you apply in the summer, and it’s very crucial that you understand the reason behind this, so you are well prepared in advance.

Are epoxy floors a good idea?

Extremely safe – Epoxy is a very safe coating for your hard floors. It’s slip resistant, shock resistant, and less abrasive than concrete and other types of industrial flooring. It’s also water resistant, and will protect your floor from any spills, including harsh chemicals that would harm other types of floor.

What are the disadvantages of epoxy flooring?

Cons of Epoxy Flooring

• Strong Application Fumes. During the epoxy application process, wet epoxy gives off an unpleasant smell. …
• Long Curing Time. …
• Slippery When Wet. …
• Economical Flooring Choice. …
• Resistant to Damage. …
• Weather-withstanding. …
• Aesthetically Pleasing. …
• Protects and Decreases Wear & Tear.

How long do epoxy floors last?

10 to 20 years   Long-Lasting, Environmentally-Friendly Floors Epoxy floors typically last 10 to 20 years and can last even longer with the proper maintenance and touch-ups. When it finally comes time to replace your floor, there will be no need for removal, and no need to throw away your old flooring.