Shop Floor Coatings

• Automotive repair and detailing shops.
• Residential or commercial workshops where tools, equipment and fluids are regularly used.
• Maintenance and service facilities that need a cleaner alternative to untreated concrete.
• Workspaces where traction, visibility and cleanability need to be balanced with daily wear.

1. Review the shop environment. Vehicle traffic, lifts, jacks, welding, chemicals, fluids, equipment and cleaning procedures are identified because these conditions influence the coating specification.
2. Mechanically prepare the concrete. Oils, existing coatings and weak surface material are addressed as appropriate, and the slab is mechanically profiled for coating adhesion.
3. Repair suitable floor damage. Pits, cracks and spalled sections are repaired where appropriate, and details around drains, lift posts, equipment and joints are addressed separately.
4. Install the selected coating layers. The coating chemistry and build are chosen around the intended traffic, cleaning and exposure conditions rather than appearance alone. Epoxy Panda shop-floor systems may use epoxy, polyaspartic, polyurea or hybrid assemblies, specified around the work performed in the space.
5. Create the specified texture and finish. Decorative flake, solid pigment or another finish can be used, with traction adjusted according to wet conditions and working requirements.
6. Apply the protective topcoat and allow the system to reach the required return-to-service condition before vehicles, lifts, jacks or heavy equipment are placed back onto the floor.

• Coated shop floors are generally easier to sweep and clean than porous untreated concrete.
• A lighter or more uniform floor can improve visibility underneath vehicles and equipment.
• Decorative flake can disguise everyday dirt and minor wear, while solid colors can make dropped hardware easier to locate.
• Vehicle fluids should still be cleaned promptly. Chemical resistance varies by coating system and by the substance involved.
• Floor jacks, jack stands, sharp steel edges and dragging heavy equipment can create concentrated loads capable of scratching or damaging a coating.
• Welding, cutting and grinding can expose floors to sparks, hot metal and impact. The actual work performed in the shop should be considered before choosing a system.
• Aggressive traction improves grip when fluids or water are present but can make oil and shop residue harder to clean from the surface texture.
• Hot tires and vehicle traffic create different demands than a decorative interior floor, so automotive use should be disclosed during system selection.
• A coating can improve damaged-looking concrete but does not correct structural movement or eliminate future cracking.
• Severe petroleum contamination that has penetrated into the concrete may require additional preparation and can complicate coating adhesion.

• Total shop floor area.
• Existing oil and chemical contamination.
• Existing coating removal.
• Concrete condition.
• Cracks, pitting and spalling.
• Vehicle and equipment traffic.
• Presence of lifts and fixed machinery.
• Floor drains and wash areas.
• Selected coating system.
• Required traction.
• Decorative flake or solid-color finish.
• Chemical exposure requirements.
• Whether tools and equipment must be moved in phases.
• Required return-to-service schedule.

Sweep or vacuum metal chips, sand and other abrasive debris before it is repeatedly driven or walked across the floor. Clean oil, coolant, fuel and other automotive fluids promptly using products compatible with the installed coating. Use protective practices under sharp equipment feet, jack stands or other concentrated loads when appropriate. Inspect high-use work areas periodically because localized damage around lifts, benches and vehicle paths can occur sooner than in lightly used parts of the shop.

• Commercial Floor Coatings
• Solid Color Coatings
• Concrete Grinding & Preparation