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"Epoxy Latex Acrylic (ELA) Decorative Home Floors"

Epoxy Paint Systems

Epoxy Garage Floors

Offered Exclusively by Progressive Epoxy Polymers, Inc.

Your Host and Tour Guide:

Paul Oman, MS, MBA - Progressive Epoxy Polymers, Inc.

Member: NACE (National Assoc. of Corrosion Engineers), SSPC (Soc. of Protective Coatings)

"Professionals helping Professionals"

Our Exclusive EPOXY LATEX ACRYLIC inexpensive home system (E.L.A.)

I get lots of calls and emails from people wanted to highly decorative epoxy floors in their kitchens, bathrooms and garages. The problem with a fancy colored quartz sand or vinyl chip broadcast epoxy floor is the high cost and uncertainty of buying relatively large minimum order expensive sacks of colored sands or vinyl chips for small areas. Then there is the concern of the clear epoxy yellowing and becoming cloudy with exposure to sunlight, such as through a window or open door.

The Home Floor System we've developed is meant for the do it yourselfer working in realatively small areas. The essence of the System is a good quality acrylic latex paint which you get at your local hardware store and your own imagination. You create you own ‘pattern' of what is known as ‘faux' painting. In faux painting you use different shades or colors of latex paint applied in an irregular pattern using sponges, crinkled paper, drips of paint, etc to create a variety of looks. There are entire books on Faux painting techniques available. Once done, the faux latex pattern is sealed in a clear top coat.

We don't offer any warranty or guaranty and offer it only as a suggested technique that you might wish to follow at your own risk and liability.

Note: this system can go over wood, cement or tile. Generally works over vinyl, but no promises here. The base epoxy will self level and fill in cracks and seams. However, keep in mind that a gallon of any liquid will only cover 6.5 square feet if applied at 1/4 inch thick.

The ELA System (Epoxy-Latex-Acrylic) System

1) clean the floor and coat it with one coat of our beige industrial floor epoxy (a 48 oz kit will over about 40 square feet). Six ounces of walnut shell (which we sell in one quart (32 oz) units) is added to the epoxy for anti-slip and to provide a good surface for the next layer to bond with.

2) let cure for 48 hours.

3) paint the epoxy with an acrylic water based latex paint. Using several colors and ‘sponge painting' almost any ‘faux' finish in any color/look can be achieved. A very fine ‘sugar sand' grit is added to the latex paint (1 pint per gallon of latex). This provides texture, anti-slip and a good bonding surface for the next layer.

4) let dry for 48 hours.

5) topcoat your custom latex floor with our durable 2 part polyurthane - Acrylic Poly Plus UV (with the sugar sand also added to the acrylic - 1 pint of sugar sand per gallon of acrylic poly ). One quart will cover at least 50 square feet. Note that this product has strong solvent fumes, use in a ventilated area.

6) let dry 24 hours and then repeat step 5 with a second coat. Leave out the 'sugar sand' if you want a slightly smoother and more shiny surface than visible in step 5 above.

7) let dry 24 hours before use.

8) Note: you will need to order the beige floor epoxy (1.5 quart kit or 1.5 gallon kit); walnut shell anti-slip (sold in quart units only); sugar sand (call - new product in stock 12/07); and our 2 part poly. You supply the latex, rollers, etc.

Appearance: The ground walnut in the base epoxy coat will exhibit gentle ‘bumps' on the finished surface. The ‘sugar sand' will give the surface a sandpaper type texture. If you decide not to use the walnut shell, lightly sand the epoxy before applying the latex.

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An interesting alternative: I recently tested a decorative 'stone look' spray paint from Rustoleum (called American Accents - stone creations) and an another floor option. Seems to work. Put down the epoxy base coat. Spray on the 'stone accent' Rustoleum paint. It gives a nice bumpy, multi color stonelike look. Let the paint try completely (several days). Then topcoat with our more durable 2 part polyurthane - Acrylic Poly Plus UV.

Knowledge is Power - We like informed consumers!

Learn the basics of epoxy at our educational EPOXY 101 page - Click Here.

Finally, email us back with your questions or comments before you buy - EMAIL HERE

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