Epoxy vs Paint: The truth about box store garage kits

EPOXY VS PAINT: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

There is an abundance of confusion today from homeowners looking to apply an epoxy coating to their garage floor. Should it be epoxy paint or an epoxy coating? Is there a difference? If so, which is best? The easiest way to figure this out is to learn the difference between paint, epoxy paint, and epoxy coatings in order to eliminate all the confusion and be able to make an informed decision.

The first misnomer that we want to address is that an epoxy coating is not paint. Garage floor paint is a latex acrylic product. Many of the well-known paint manufacturers do offer paint with a small amount of epoxy in the mix and refer to them as 1-part epoxy paint. This allows for better adhesion and durability than standard acrylic paint, but it is not an epoxy product.

The term “epoxy paint” came about when epoxy manufacturers took notice of the terminology that people were using when searching for epoxy coatings. The DIY public was intermixing the term “paint” with “coating”. So a marketing decision was made and many well-known DIY epoxy flooring manufacturers that you see in big box stores decided to brand their products as “epoxy paint” since that is what consumers seemed to be calling it.

As a result, it has only made things more confusing for the consumer. Chances are that when you see something advertised as epoxy paint for your garage, it could be acrylic paint or it could be an epoxy coating. This has led to many people buying paint for their garage floor when what they thought they were purchasing was an epoxy coating.

 

WHAT IS EPOXY?

Epoxy is a two-component product consisting of one part epoxy resin and one part polyamine hardener. You are required to mix the two parts together prior to application. After mixing, you are limited by time and temperature as to how long you have to apply it. With colored epoxies, it is the resin that is tinted to give the epoxy color. If it’s not tinted, then it goes on as a clear coating.

Epoxy coatings cure and do not dry like paint does. Unlike paint, the mixing of the two components starts a reactive process that creates cross-linking of the components while it cures. This cross-linking provides a very hard and durable surface that seals the concrete and is resistant to staining, abrasion, and chemicals. The amount of resistance and performance of the coating is usually determined by the quality and solids content of the epoxy.

The ease of application and thickness of the epoxy is also dependent on the volume of solids content. This is always displayed as a percentage. In other words, 100% solids epoxy means that you have 100% of the product on the floor after it cures. 50% solids mean that you will have 50% of the product remaining on the floor after it has cured. The reason for this is that the carrier agents (water or solvents) which are used in the lower solids product evaporate out as the epoxy cures.

As an example, a 100% solids epoxy applied with a roller has an approximate wet film thickness (WFT) of 10 mils. Once it cures, the dry film thickness (DFT) remains at 10 mils. A 50% solids epoxy will have a wet film thickness of approximately 6 mils. Once it cures, the coating is reduced to a dry film thickness of 3 mils. See the difference pictured above 

100% solids epoxy is harder to work with during application because of the thicker viscosity and limited time to apply it. Epoxy with a lesser solids content has less viscosity and is easier to apply.

Many of the inexpensive “DIY” epoxy paint kits that you can buy at the local home improvement centers and online have as little as 48% solids. This means that it is easier to apply as well as cheaper to buy because the solids content is much lower along with the quality. It goes on the floor almost as easily as paint does.

In fact, the easy application is one of the primary marketing points that makes these kits so popular to purchase. They can be applied to your garage floor more easily compared to the more premium epoxy coat systems.

Keep in mind that this also means you have much less of it on the garage floor resulting in a much thinner coat. This affects the performance and durability of the coating when compared to epoxy brands with a higher solids content.

Does this mean that these epoxy paints are bad? No, it just means that you are getting what you pay for. Many of these kits cost under $70 and cover up to 250ft². Two kits will cover a typical two-car garage. They are usually available in either grey or beige with a semi-gloss finish and include a small bag of paint chips to add if you like.

Whenever in doubt about what you are purchasing, always consult a floor coating expert. These will detail exactly what type of product you are purchasing as well as other very important information regarding application and durability. As always, Top Gun Garage remains committed to answering any questions related to the appropriate coating system for your specific application. Feel free to reach out to 239-488-7000 or click the links below to follow our recent projects.

Contact Top Gun Garage today to get your free quote!

OUR BLOG

5 Helpful Tips for Epoxy Floor Coating Maintenance

Epoxy floor coatings are popular in many commercial and residential settings due to their durability, easy maintenance, and aesthetic appeal. With proper maintenance, epoxy coatings can last for many years, but neglecting them can lead to damage and deterioration....

Maximize Your Garage Space with These Storage Hacks

Garages are often used to store vehicles, but they can also be used for storage space. A well-organized garage can provide ample storage for tools, gardening equipment, sports gear, and seasonal decorations. However, it's easy for a garage to become cluttered and...

5 Reasons Metallic Epoxy Flooring Benefits a Home or Office

Metallic epoxy flooring is a modern and innovative solution that has been gaining popularity in Canada. It is a type of decorative flooring that combines metallic pigments with epoxy resin to create a unique and stunning finish that resembles the look of marble or...

How Long do Epoxy Floors Last?

We often get asked about the average life span of an epoxy floor. Top Gun Garage remains committed to educating our customers and setting realistic expectations about their epoxy floor. There are product manufacturers and installers that use a myriad of different...

The Pros and Cons of Designer Epoxy Floors: What You Need to Know

Are you thinking of installing a designer epoxy floor (also called marbleized or metallic epoxy) in your home or business? If so, you need to be aware of the pros and cons of this type of flooring. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of...

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

EXCLUSIVELY CRAFTED CONCRETE COATING SOLUTIONS

Top Gun Garage is dedicated to offering the perfect concrete solutions for all your needs. Our expert team will work closely with you to ensure that your project meets quality standards and customer satisfaction!

durable concrete floors

Durable Floors

Our floors can take an impact

chemical resistant concrete coating

Chemical Resistant

Amazing defense against harmful chemicals

concrete coating give amazing curb appeal

CURB APPEAL

Your property will look better than ever

Premier Edge Warranty Badge

SLIP RESISTANT

Our coating systems are 100% slip-resistant.

STANDING BEHIND

EVERY PROJECT

STANDING BEHIND EVERY PROJECT

epoxy floor coatingepoxy floor coating
epoxy floor coating afterepoxy floor coating after
epoxy garage floorsepoxy garage floors

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WHAT OTHER HOMEOWNERS SAY

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

At Top Gun Garage, getting the job done right is paramount. Our certified technicians are experts in delivering concrete solutions with uncompromising excellence every time they take on a project! With years of experience and skill, you can count on us to deliver only quality results.

top gun garage - star

AMAZING Warranty

Top Gun Garage stands behind its craftsmanship with a 15-year written warranty on all concrete coating projects. From residential floors to commercial spaces, we guarantee lasting satisfaction for your flooring needs - so you can enjoy beautiful results and peace of mind that lasts forever.

top gun garage - star

always Professional & Friendly

Our team is passionate about delivering your project's best quality and service. We don’t just talk the talk – our knowledgeable customer service staff provides outstanding support, ensuring you have an unbeatable experience with us!

top gun garage - star

Installation Experts

Get excited about a breathtaking transformation! Our dedicated team of professionals will support you every step of the way, so there's no need to worry - sit back and look forward to your beautiful new floor coating.

top gun garage - star

Only The Best Products

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM TOP GUN GARAGE

fast quote

fast quote

We know how crazy life can be. That's why we make our process super easy from start to finish.

scheduled service

scheduled

Time is our most precious resource. That's why we make our scheduling easy to work with and around your schedule.

be satisfied

satisfaction

One of our core values is to make sure every customer gets a smile on their face. We want you to 100% LOVE the decision you made

AREAS WE SERVE

Commercial and Residential Epoxy Floor Coating In The Collier County & Lee County Areas

Prompt, Professional Service, Guaranteed.

TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE TODAY!

Call us today at (239) 766-5695 or get a fast quote.