Key Takeaways
- Polyaspartic floor coatings cure quickly (touch-dry in hours, fully cured in 24 hours), a major advantage over traditional epoxy that requires one to two weeks of curing, making them suitable for time-sensitive industrial environments and residential spaces alike without compromising on performance.
- Polyaspartic is superior to epoxy floor coatings thanks to not just a faster curing process, but a more durable completed concrete surface and no risk of yellowing due to UV exposure. It’s perfect as a garage floor coating, for basements, for heavy objects, for heavy machinery, and more!
- Everlast Concrete Coatings specialize in polyaspartic floor coating applications, offering a 15-year warranty, one-day installations for most coatings, multiple design options, and free consultations to meet a wide array of commercial and residential flooring needs.
How Long Does Polyaspartic Take to Dry?
Polyaspartic floor coatings have become increasingly popular in commercial and industrial settings due to their fast drying time and ability to provide a MORE durable surface compared to a traditional epoxy floor coating.
They can withstand heavy foot traffic and hot tires while also resisting the buildup of dust, dirt, and other debris. Their easy maintenance makes them a top choice for high traffic areas, and they can last the lifetime of the concrete.
The short answer for “how long does it take?”:
Polyaspartic takes 24 hours to be fully cured. Polyaspartic coatings can dry in as little as 1–2 hours, and are often ready to walk on the next day. In most cases, the surface is back in 1 day.
Initially created to protect steel from corrosion, polyaspartic coatings are now widely used for various concrete surfaces, including garage floors in both residential and commercial spaces.
These coatings offer many advantages including quick curing time (often within one day) resulting in minimal downtime during installation. They provide long-lasting protection against wear and tear with the option to add decorative elements that make them an appealing option for businesses looking to enhance their space’s aesthetics. Compared to epoxy flooring, polyaspartic does not yellow with UV light exposure, handles vehicle traffic and hot car tires much better, and has a far superior adhesion.
Here’s what to know.
Understanding Polyaspartic Floor Coatings
Polyaspartic floor coatings are the “next generation” of epoxy coatings.
They’re created from a polyurea-based compound called polyaspartic ester, well-known for its ability to protect against corrosion and wear-and-tear damage. The advantages of these coatings compared to epoxy include:
- A good adhesion to the underlying surface – better than epoxy coatings.
- Resistance to UV rays – epoxy will become yellow with time and exposure to sunlight, as with garage floor coatings.
- Low levels of VOC content, resulting in less odor during application and improved air quality.
- Enough flexibility in the coating to “give” when the underlying concrete cracks – polyaspartic will flex, while epoxy will simply crack with the concrete.
They outperform many conventional alternatives when it comes to durability, especially in terms of withstanding scratches or yellowing due to exposure under sunlight. As a result, even high traffic areas can maintain their appealing look for longer periods – at Everlast Concrete, we provide a 15-year warranty on every project, and we like to say that your coating will last the life of the floor.
These surfaces also resist oil spills, gas leaks, and chemical splashes, which otherwise could stain or cause lasting harm on the coated concrete area.
The impermeability of polyaspartic allows for quick cleaning while reducing chances of staining, lowering maintenance needs greatly and making for easier cleaning than a porous concrete surface.
The Quick Drying Advantage of Polyaspartic Coatings
One notable characteristic of polyaspartic floor coatings is their rapid cure time.
In contrast to traditional epoxy coatings that may take up to two weeks for complete curing, polyaspartic floor coatings can become touch-dry within a matter of hours and fully cured in approximately 24 hours.
This quick turnaround makes them an ideal option for projects with tight deadlines, especially in industrial settings where time is crucial.
We usually tell customers that they can walk on their new polyaspartic garage floor the day after we install it, and they can move furniture or heavy items back in on the second day.
Ideal Conditions for Polyaspartic Coating Application
For polyaspartic coatings to achieve their best results, we like to apply in above-freezing temperatures and with as little moisture as possible.
You don’t want to apply a polyaspartic coating to damp concrete.
Our process includes:
- Our polyurea base coat is remarkably durable and adheres strongly to the concrete base surface. Polyurea coatings will not delaminate from heat, will not chip or crack, and are great even when hot car tires sit on them for long periods. This is a known drawback of epoxy.
- We apply decorative flakes to the slightly tacky polyurea surface.
- We apply a clear polyaspartic floor coating to the top of the polyurea, essentially sealing the base with a short dry time and (usually) same day completion.
Pre-Application Surface Preparation
Before applying a polyaspartic coating on your concrete floor, it’s helpful to thoroughly clean the surface. This includes removing dirt, grime, and existing sealants that may be present. A clean and well-prepared surface is essential for ensuring proper adhesion of the coating and avoiding potential defects or failures in performance.
We make sure to repair any cracks or damage to the concrete before proceeding with the application of the polyaspartic coating. We use an polyurea crack filler for larger cracks or divots, and we also grind or sand the surface for better adhesion.
This step helps promote better penetration and adhesion of the base polyurea material onto your concrete floor.
Monitoring Humidity Levels
Application and effectiveness of polyaspartic coatings can be impacted by the level of humidity in the environment and concrete floor.
For optimal results with polyaspartic coatings, we apply our commercial Duralast coatings only after concrete is completely dry, and we generally shoot for applications on days with humidity at less than 75%. Rainy summer days are not ideal for outdoor applications.
When Can You Walk on Your New Polyaspartic Floor?
After applying a polyaspartic coating, it is necessary to wait approximately 4-6 hours before walking on the floor.
The coating takes 24 hours to fully cure , though it can withstand light foot traffic within this time.
Why is Polyaspartic Better Than Epoxy?
Polyaspartic has numerous advantages compared to traditional epoxy floors.
- Epoxy coatings tend to discolor over time due to UV exposure. Polyurea and polyaspartic do not yellow and maintain their appearance indefinitely.
- Poly’s flexibility enables it to absorb minor shifts in the underlying concrete, as well as the expansion and contraction that occurs naturally due to hot and cool weather.
- Polyurea adheres more strongly to the underlying concrete, reducing the risk of chips or cracks.
- Polyurea withstands hot temperatures and will not lose adhesion or “delaminate” from the floor.
Ultimately, poly (and Everlast Concrete!) guarantees long-lasting beautiful flooring results.
Everlast Concrete Coatings: The Best Concrete Coatings in Central NY
Interested in polyaspartic floor coatings? At Everlast Concrete Coatings, we take pride in providing top-notch concrete sealing services for all your floor coating needs. With a 15-year warranty on every garage, basement, or patio we seal, Everlast Concrete stands behind our coatings’ durability and quality.
We choose polyaspartic for a reason: it’s simply the best epoxy coating alternative on the market. We offer:
- An extensive color selection
- A chemical and slip-resistant finish
- A surface that will resist cracks, abrasion, and chipping
- Virtually zero maintenance requirements – just clean it occasionally!
Curious to learn more? Call to schedule a free concrete coating quote or simply to get your pressing floor coating questions answered by some pros!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you do 2 coats of polyaspartic?
It is possible to apply 2 coats of polyaspartic on concrete floors, though we’ve found that a single coat is more than sufficient for most applications.
Can polyaspartic get wet?
Polyaspartic floor coatings are capable of withstanding wet environments with ease.
Is polyaspartic stronger than epoxy?
Polyaspartic coatings are known to have superior strength compared to epoxy, providing increased durability against regular wear and tear as well as impacts.
Can you recoat polyaspartic?
We generally do not recommend homeowners attempt to recoat their own surfaces.
Professional installers may be able to achieve a fine surface appearance, but re-coating can create issues if done improperly.
How long before you can walk on polyaspartic floor coating?
After application, the polyaspartic floor coating is ready to be walked on within about six hours. It takes a full 24 hours for the coating to be completely cured.
How much does a concrete coating cost?
Read all about the cost of a polyaspartic concrete floor coating in this helpful blog!
