When applied correctly, an epoxy floor looks great, offers impressive durability, and is exceptionally easy to clean. The advantages of epoxy floor coatings are plentiful, but you’ll only receive these benefits if it’s applied correctly.

On the other hand, an epoxy floor that was poorly applied will offer little in the way of durability. Very likely, it will also offer a subpar appearance that you’re almost certain to be unhappy with.

If you really want to get your money’s worth, you’ll need to ensure that your epoxy coating is applied properly.

Let’s take a deeper dive into the differences between a good and bad epoxy application, enabling you to easily tell the difference. We’ll also discuss the most common problems you’re likely to encounter with an epoxy application. At the end of this article, I’ll even leave you with a few pro tips for achieving a great epoxy finish.

Epoxy Coating Appearance and Performance

When it comes to epoxy flooring, the application makes all the difference in the world. A good application will provide numerous benefits that only epoxy flooring can provide. For example, a good epoxy application will have a smooth finish without blemishes while a poor application may show imperfections and signs of dullness and loss of beauty and shine.

A Good Epoxy Application

If your epoxy coating is applied correctly, you can expect it to offer a smooth and shiny surface. There should be no bubbles or peeling. Anti-slip flakes may also be added to the finish, and these will appear as small multi-colored specks across the floor.

A good epoxy application will not absorb spills, making it very easy to keep clean. You can also count on it to be exceptionally durable and resistant to damage of all sorts. This is why you’ll often find epoxy floors in garages, basements, and commercial/retail businesses. The durability it offers can even prevent damage from moving heavy equipment.

In addition, epoxy floors are chemical resistant, unlike most other flooring options, further improving the already impressive durability that they offer.

A Bad Epoxy Application

If your epoxy is applied poorly, you won’t be able to reap the benefits of a properly applied epoxy application. To start, you probably won’t find the look of a poorly applied epoxy application to be very appealing. You’ll likely see many imperfections, including bubbles, flaking, peeling, and more. These imperfections can range in size and severity, and they may affect the entire floor. Some of the common issues with a bad application are small bubbles like an orange peel, or you might see slightly larger air pockets or bubbles. It’s even possible to find big bubbles that can pop up and peel, leaving behind a bare patch of floor.

Similarly, you might find debris that ended up getting painted over, or tiny specks of gravel or dirt that can become quite noticeable underneath your new epoxy coating.

Likewise, durability will suffer substantially. Instead of a tough floor that can withstand loads of abuse, you’ll be left with a floor that easily peels in large chunks. This could happen due to physical damage like moving furniture across the floor or even from simple foot traffic.

You might even find that a poorly applied epoxy application loses much of its chemical resistance, leaving it vulnerable to damage from spills, cleaning, and more.

Another problem you’re likely notice with a poor epoxy application is seam lines. These are lines in the finish that are created when an area is allowed to dry for too long before the next area is coated.

Since the epoxy chemicals must be mixed and has only a short application window, breaks must be taken during the process to mix the next batch. If the first epoxy coating dries too fast before the fresh coating is applied, then you’ll likely get visible lines at these seams.

Tips for Achieving a Great Epoxy Finish

As you can see, properly applying an epoxy application is vital if you want all the benefits that an epoxy flooring application can provide when done right.

Don’t worry: the following four pro tips will help you to achieve that perfect application, ensuring your epoxy application is everything you hoped it will be.

Make Sure the Surface is Thoroughly Cleaned

Professional painters will all tell you that prep work is one of the most essential parts of any painting job. It’s no different when it comes to applying an epoxy application.

Before you start mixing your epoxy, you’ll need to ensure that the floor you intend to coat is ready to accept your epoxy. If it’s not completely clean and devoid of any sort of dirt or debris, then the epoxy won’t stick the way it should, reducing its effectiveness and will likely have bubbling, peeling and flaking which will completely ruin the appearance of the floor.

Pay Attention to the Pot Life

Any quality epoxy coating will have a limited pot life, which is the amount of time you have to apply it once it’s mixed. Make sure you note the pot life and do not mix more epoxy than you can apply within that time frame. Epoxy past the pot life will not adhere properly!

Use a High-Quality Epoxy

Just as better ingredients make better pizza, better epoxy makes for a nicer and more durable floor. It’s worth spending a little more to get the best epoxy you can. There’s a wide variety to choose from. Your Epoxy professional will be able to help you choose a high-quality epoxy resin that’s right for you. You’ll be grateful that you invested a little more when your floor exceeds your expectations.

Don’t Stop Until the Application Is Complete

Remember those seam lines we talked about? Well, if you take breaks during the application process, you can expect to see some of the seam lines appearing. Once you start mixing the first batch of epoxy, don’t stop until your entire floor is coated.

Final Thoughts

For epoxy coatings, proper application is essential. If your epoxy application is poorly applied, you won’t be getting all the benefits from your floor that you should be getting. With a poor application, you can expect to see an epoxy floor that doesn’t look good and won’t hold up for the long haul.

However, if you take the time to apply your epoxy application properly and follow the tips mentioned above, your epoxy floor will look amazing while offering unmatched durability and longevity. We hope these pro tips on “The Difference Between a Good and Bad Epoxy Application – With Insider Tips” will help you become an informed consumer. 

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