Write an article based on this "Select the product you will use to coat your garage floor. Calculate the amount of material required to do your project. Design it, if desired."
Epoxies vary, depending on the product manufacturer, but most are comprised of three ingredients. These are: The epoxy resin. This is the main ingredient of the epoxy coating, and is generally a clear, or amber viscous liquid. It is available in quart, gallon, and five gallon containers. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet1.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
<\/p><p><br \/>
<\/p><\/div>"} The catalyst. This is the component of a multi-part epoxy system that causes the resin to harden, and is usually a part B of the package you will be purchasing. Buying your epoxy in a two part package insures the compatibility of the components. Read the mixing directions carefully to insure the proper proportions are mixed. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet2.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
<\/p><p><br \/>
<\/p><\/div>"} Pigment. Since epoxy is a semitransparent or colorless material, a pigment is used to give it its final color. Pre-pigmented packages are the best bet for home installers, but separate pigments can be purchased for your project if you wish to do so. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet3.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
<\/p><p><br \/>
<\/p><\/div>"} Texturing materials. It may be desirable to texture the floor with an aggregate material so the finish is not too slippery. Numerous materials are used for this purpose, from sandblasting sand to PVC plastic granules, giving different textures and degrees of traction. When in doubt, visit a paint retailer and look at samples of the products they offer, and read the manufacturer's literature for recommended products and procedures. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet4.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-4Bullet4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
<\/p><p><br \/>
<\/p><\/div>"} Epoxies do not cover as much surface area as other coatings and paints, so check the application (or coverage)rate for the product you choose. Basically, for a 5 to 6 mil application rate, one gallon of combined material will cover 200 square feet, or a small, one car garage. Because you will want a seamless, one-step application of each coat, be sure to allow for waste and purchase significantly more than you will need.#Install the coating. The rest is install the coatings per the manufacturers instructions. The basic steps will be these: Mix the pigment, if used, with the resin in a clean metal container with twice the capacity of the total amount you will use for each application. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
<\/p><p><br \/>
<\/p><\/div>"} Add the hardener (catalyst) and mix again. Thorough mixing is essential for best results, so consider using a paint mixing paddle in a power drill, but avoid mixing at a speed so high it creates bubbles in the material. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
<\/p><p><br \/>
<\/p><\/div>"} Using a 34 inch (1.9cm) nap roller on an extension handle, apply the material to the floor. Begin at a back corner, so you can work your way toward the exit as you roll, and overlap each roller path by one half its width with each successive roll. Keep plenty of material in the roller, and if it begins tacking, dip it again in your mixing bucket. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet3.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
<\/p><p><br \/>
<\/p><\/div>"} Work the roller as quickly as possible, as the epoxy has a short working time. Most epoxies, mixed according to manufacturer's directions, must be used in less than one hour, excessive hardener will reduce the working time considerably. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet4.jpg\/aid515197-v4-728px-Put-an-Epoxy-Coating-on-a-Garage-Floor-Step-6Bullet4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class="mw-parser-output"><p>License: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/">Creative Commons<\/a><br>
<\/p><p><br \/>
<\/p><\/div>"} If you wish to add paint chips, you should paint a measly 6'x6' section at a time and put the chips afterward. When you're placing them, make sure that you toss them in the air so that they will fall back to your fresh paint. You'll have a more random spread if you do this compared to throwing them directly on the paint.