Flake Floor Systems

• Residential garages where homeowners want a finished appearance that hides everyday dust, minor debris and small visual imperfections better than a uniform solid-color floor.
• Commercial or shop spaces that need a decorative finish with more visual texture than a plain coating.
• Concrete floors where traction, cleanability and appearance all need to be balanced rather than optimized for only one characteristic.
• Customers who want to choose from different flake blends and coverage levels instead of using a single solid floor color.

1. Prepare the concrete mechanically. The slab is inspected and mechanically profiled, typically with diamond grinding, to remove weak surface material, incompatible coatings, contaminants and smooth areas that could interfere with adhesion. Proper preparation is especially important because the decorative flake does not compensate for a poorly bonded base coat.
2. Repair appropriate defects before coating. Cracks, pits and spalled areas that are suitable for repair are addressed after grinding and cleaning. The repair material must be compatible with the coating system, and repaired cracks can still become visible later if the concrete continues to move.
3. Apply the pigmented base coat. A compatible coating is rolled or otherwise applied over the prepared concrete. The base color is selected to work with the chosen flake blend and helps provide continuous coverage underneath the decorative broadcast. Epoxy Panda flake systems use an epoxy or polyurea base coat.
4. Broadcast decorative flakes into the wet coating. Vinyl flakes are distributed across the surface while the base coat is still receptive. The system may use a lighter partial broadcast or a heavier full broadcast depending on the desired look and specification. A full broadcast typically covers the underlying base color more completely and creates a more heavily textured surface.
5. Remove excess flake and refine the surface. After the coating has reached the appropriate stage, loose flakes are removed and the surface is scraped or otherwise prepared to knock down raised edges and create a more consistent profile for the topcoat.
6. Apply the clear protective topcoat. A compatible clear coat seals the decorative flake and creates the final wear surface. The chosen topcoat affects gloss, texture, cleanability, wear characteristics and UV performance, so it should be selected for the actual environment rather than appearance alone. Epoxy Panda’s standard clear topcoat for flake systems is polyaspartic.

• Decorative flake creates visual depth and variation, which can make ordinary garage or commercial concrete look substantially more finished.
• Multicolor flake blends tend to disguise dust, small debris, light scratches and minor visual inconsistencies better than highly uniform solid-color floors.
• The broadcast creates texture, and additional traction material can be incorporated when a project needs more grip.
• A flake floor is still a resin coating system. Its performance depends on the preparation, base coat, topcoat and condition of the concrete underneath it.
• A heavily textured surface may provide more traction but can hold dirt more readily and require more effort to mop than a smoother finish.
• The final appearance varies slightly from area to area because flakes are broadcast rather than printed in a repeating pattern. This natural randomness is part of the intended look.
• Individual decorative flakes are not the protective layer by themselves. The clear topcoat is what seals the broadcast and provides much of the finished surface performance.
• Damage to a flake system can sometimes be repaired, but a spot repair may remain visible because matching the exact random flake distribution and surrounding sheen can be difficult.
• Dark flake blends can show light-colored dust, while very light blends may make dark dirt, tire marks or spills more noticeable. Color selection should consider how the floor will actually be used.
• For areas receiving significant direct sunlight, the UV characteristics of the base and topcoat matter. The decorative flake itself does not make an otherwise UV-sensitive coating system suitable for exterior exposure.

• Total square footage and complexity of the floor layout.
• Condition, hardness and porosity of the concrete.
• Existing coatings, sealers, adhesive or contamination that must be removed.
• Crack, pit, spall and surface-repair requirements.
• Selected flake coverage level, such as partial or full broadcast.
• Flake blend selection and whether custom color combinations are required. Epoxy Panda offers custom blends by request.
• Base-coat chemistry and number of coating layers in the specified system.
• Type and number of clear topcoats.
• Desired traction level and whether additional aggregate is incorporated.
• Steps, stem walls, curbs, vertical surfaces or other detailed areas included in the coating.
• Moisture conditions in the concrete.
• Temperature and humidity during application.
• Whether an existing flake system must be removed before the new installation.
• Required return-to-service schedule for foot traffic, storage, equipment or vehicles. For most Epoxy Panda systems, light foot traffic is typically possible in approximately 12–24 hours and vehicle traffic in approximately 24–72 hours. Exact timing depends on coating chemistry, temperature, humidity and project conditions.

Sweep, vacuum or dust-mop the floor regularly to remove grit that can wear against the clear topcoat under foot or vehicle traffic. For routine cleaning, use water and a mild cleaner that is compatible with the installed coating, then rinse or remove residue so it does not build up in the floor texture. Clean oils, chemicals and strongly colored spills promptly, and avoid dragging sharp metal objects across the surface. Heavily textured flake systems may benefit from a soft-bristle deck brush or appropriate floor-cleaning equipment when a standard mop cannot reach into the texture effectively.

• Garage Floor Coatings
• Commercial Floor Coatings
• Patio & Outdoor Concrete Coatings