How to Speed the Setting of Epoxy Floor Finish

Epoxy coatings are durable finishes that consist of a resin and catalyst. The hardening process begins when the components are mixed. But epoxy floor coatings can take hours to set because of moisture in the air that delays the curing time. You can hasten the process by drying the air. You also can speed it up by preparing the underlying surface before applying the epoxy coating.

• 1

  Place a space heater in the room with the floor to be finished and let it run for two hours before starting the work.

• 2

  Abrade vinyl or tile flooring by sanding it with 180-grit sandpaper. Stop when the flooring feels slightly rough.

• 3

  Wear safety goggles and a respirator to protect your eyes and lungs from fumes emitted by the etching solution if the floor is made of concrete.

• 4

  Etch concrete floors to promote adhesion, using a citric acid-based solution. Pour 2 gallons of water into the 5-gallon bucket. Stir in the concrete etching powder with a wooden stir stick. Spread the etching solution over the floor with a squeegee. Wait 15 minutes. Use a mop to rinse the concrete. Wait two to four hours for the concrete to dry. Skip this step if the floor is not made of concrete.

• 5

  Clean out the 5-gallon bucket and use it for mixing the epoxy catalyst and the resin. Stir the mixture for five minutes with a wooden stirring stick.

• 6

  Apply the epoxy paint to the floor with a roller. Keep the space heater running until the floor is dry.