Polyurea & Polyaspartic

Unveiling the Pitfalls of 1-Day Polyaspartic and Polyurea Garage Floor Coatings

Garage floor coatings are a popular choice among homeowners seeking to enhance the aesthetics and durability of their garage floors. However, not all coatings are created equal, and it’s essential to understand the drawbacks of certain options, particularly “one-day polyaspartic” and “1-day polyurea” coating systems.

“One-day polyaspartic” and “1-day polyurea” coating systems have recently gained traction in the industry due to their fast-curing times. Many homeowners are attracted to these coating systems because they promise a quick 1-day installation. However, there are significant downsides to consider, especially when these coatings are applied direct-to-concrete with medium to high levels of concrete moisture.

The Primary Concern

Polyurea and polyaspartics are fantastic coatings offering quick-cure properties, along with providing extreme UV, chemical and impact resistance. What’s not to like? But they do have an Achilles heel. The primary concern with these products occurs when they are used as direct-to-concrete primer coats.

In the presence of little to no concrete moisture (we set a limit of 1% on a Tramex moisture meter), a polyurea-polyaspartic can be applied direct-to-concrete. But as the measured moisture in the concrete increases beyond this point, the ability of the polyurea-polyaspartic to penetrate and bond to the concrete substrate degrades rapidly.

The Curious Property of Polyurea-Polyaspartics

It’s somewhat of a paradox, but fast-curing polyurea-polyaspartic coatings cure even faster in the presence of concrete moisture (and even high humidity in the air). And it is precisely the enhanced curing speed in the presence of moisture, of an already fast-curing polyurea, that prevents these coatings from deeply penetrating porous concrete.

When polyurea-polyaspartics are applied as primers in the presence of medium to high concrete moisture, they form a thin, poor concrete-penetrating layer. They simply cure too quickly to enable deep penetration and proper bonding. And your entire coating system is only as strong as it’s primer coat.

As hydrostatic (moisture) pressure builds over time, this thin, poorly-penetrating primer layer has a high propensity to peel. And it’s precisely for this reason that 1-day polyurea and 1-day polyaspartic contractors never warrant “moisture-related issues”, “hydrostatic pressure”, or “moisture vapor transmission”. Because they can’t. This leaves homeowners vulnerable to costly repairs and maintenance down the line.

The Proper Approach to Installing Coating Systems

At Garage Floor Coating of Indiana, we take a different approach to garage floor coatings. We understand the importance of addressing moisture-related concerns to ensure the longevity and performance of your garage floor coating. That’s why our installation process starts with a moisture vapor barrier (MVB)…a thick, slower-curing, 100%-solids moisture-mitigating epoxy. This primer penetrates deep into the concrete substrate forming a thick, strong, protective layer that resists high hydrostatic pressure.

We then enhance our coating system even further by applying 2 coats of our 100%-solids polyaspartic clear (not 1). Together, the thick epoxy primer and dual polyaspartic top coats create a concrete coating system that’s nearly twice the thickness of a “1-day polyurea” or 1-day polyaspartic coating system. It simply provides unmatched protection against moisture, wear and tear, UV rays, chemical spills, and tire staining. Your garage floor will look great and perform flawlessly for years to come.

The Final Word in Garage Floor Coatings

Unlike our competitors, we stand behind our products and services with industry-leading warranties that cover all moisture-related issues and hot-tire staining. Our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction sets us apart from the competition, ensuring that your investment in your garage floor is protected.

While 1-day polyaspartic and 1-day polyurea coatings may offer advantages in terms of quick curing times, they come with significant drawbacks: speed over quality. By choosing Garage Floor Coating of Indiana and our proven moisture-mitigating coating systems, you can rest assured knowing your garage floor is truly protected…with a real warranty that protects against all moisture-related issues.

Don’t settle for inferior coatings that leave you vulnerable to costly repairs—choose Garage Floor Coating of Indiana for a superior garage floor solution.