Individuals sometimes will epoxy coat their garages, work shops, or basements. When applying an epoxy floor coating to concrete the standard traditional surface preparation is to shot blast the surface. Shot blasting units are machines that look like commercial lawn mowers. They chip' the concrete surface with tiny steel balls, providing a clean, rough, open' surface that usually ensures a successful coating job. Only large contractors can afford to own shot blast units.
Most contractors hire subcontractors to perform the shot blast surface preparation.
While this works with industrial projects, for individuals and homeowners shot blasting is not practical or economical. Below is a generally acceptable alternative for preparing new or existing concrete for epoxy topcoating. If painted or coated, remove as much of the existing coating as possible by any means you can. Generally, well adhered coatings can remain in place providing a solvent-free epoxy is used to topcoat it. Next, use a degreaser to remove any signs of grease or oil.