Epoxy coating makes it easy to care for your concrete floors. It does require some maintenance to look its best, but you can get the job done using simple tools found at any home improvement store.
We’ve provided an overview of how to care for epoxy concrete floors and deal with spills, rust stains, and tire marks. Following these practices will help ensure your epoxy coating stays shiny and smooth for years to come.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Since epoxy coating resists dust and dirt, you can clean it using an ordinary 24’’ to 36’’ dust mop. Choose a mop with soft, fabric bristles which will not scratch the surface over time. For debris like sawdust, you can sweep and then vacuum it up with a shop vac.
How often you need to clean depends on how you use the room and how much traffic the floor gets. Low-traffic areas, like a garage used mainly for storage, can be swept once a month as part of your regular cleaning routine. If your vehicle is in and out of the garage each day, the floor will need to be swept more often, especially in the winter.
Remember: the longer you let dirt and debris linger, the harder it is to remove! It’s always best to clean up a mess as soon as possible.
Seasonal Cleaning
In addition to regular maintenance, you should give your epoxy concrete floor a good clean at least two times a year. Use a foam mop to clean and rinse the floor with hot water. Upon completion, let the floor air dry or use a towel.
Caution: Never clean an epoxy concrete floor with vinegar or citrus cleaners! The acid in these cleaners can slowly de-gloss the surface of the coating over time. You should also avoid cleaning with soap, as it can leave behind streak marks that reduces the surface shine.
Spills and Stains
Epoxy coating protects your floor from paint, oil, and other fluid leaks. However, these spills can leave ugly stains over time if you don’t clean them up. To remove spills and drippings, simply wipe the area with a soft cloth or towel. You can usually clean any remaining residue with Windex.
For stubborn stains, use a green kitchen sponge and an all-purpose cleaning solution. If this doesn’t work, switch to a stiffer nylon brush. Do not scrub too hard, as this can remove some of the gloss from the surface.
To remove rust or salt stains from an epoxy concrete floor, scrub with a 1:1 mix of warm water and CLR solution. Be sure to wipe the surface clean of any leftover solution.
Tire Marks
Tires contain a polymer compound called plasticizers. When a tire heats up from driving, these compounds can leach out and leave oily marks on your epoxy coating. This can also occur if you leave a vehicle in one place for an extended period.
To remove tire marks from an epoxy concrete floor, soak the area with water and all-purpose cleaning solution. Then, scrub the marks with a stiff nylon brush. Repeat the process until the marks are no longer visible.
Epoxy concrete floors are durable, but they can suffer from wear and tear over time. City Painters can help make your epoxy floor look good as new. Give us a call at 647-237-6900 for a free quote.