Concrete Coatings FAQ
LATICRETE® SPARTACOTE® utilizes patented polyaspartic concrete coating formulations to create ultra-high performance commercial and industrial concrete coating systems. Our resinous flooring products are used in a variety of settings that demand high efficiency, durability and top level results.
General Polyaspartic Coating Questions
Q: What are Polyaspartic Concrete Coatings?
A: From a technical perspective, the term “polyaspartic” refers to an “aliphatic polyurea”. Today the general public is somewhat familiar with polyurea coatings, primarily from their uses in such applications as spray down truck bed liners and tank coatings.
Q: Who invented Polyaspartic Coatings?
A: Polyaspartic coatings were introduced in the early 1990s by one of the world’s leading chemical companies, Bayer Material Science. This new technology was first employed as a protective steel coating, offering corrosion prevention for bridges and other harsh environment applications. Eventually the material was modified for additional types of applications, including resinous floor concrete coatings.
Q: What types of floor coating systems are available with polyaspartics?
A: One of the primary benefits to polyaspartic coatings is the material’s versatility. Standard solid color industrial floor coatings, Seamless Flake and Monolithic Quartz flooring systems are commonplace with Polyaspartic coatings. Recently, new decorative concrete floor coating applications, such as dye and seal and metallic floor coating systems have been developed with both polyaspartic and epoxy coating technology.
Q: Can Polyaspartic Coatings be used outside?
A: Yes, most polyaspartic coatings systems are UV stable and are suitable for exterior applications.
Q: What types of environments can Polyaspartic Coatings be used?
A: Generally any type of an environment where a resinous floor coating is called for, a polyaspartic coating system may be used. This includes heavy traffic industrial and commercial flooring as well as residential garage floor concrete coatings.
Polyaspartic Concrete Coatings Application and Installation
Q: How are Polyaspartic Coatings applied?
A: Polyaspartic coatings may be applied with a squeegee, seal-coat broom or even a simple 18” long 3/8” nap roller. Common methods include the Dip and Roll Method as well as the Ribbon and Roll method.
Q: Can I apply Polyaspartic Coatings in cold temperatures?
A: Yes, depending on the formulation, polyaspartics may be applied within extremely low temperatures below 0º Centigrade.
Q: How long do Polyaspartic Coatings take to dry?
A: Polyaspartic coatings are designed to exhibit rapid curing capabilities, and may dry in a matter of hours or less. Often these concrete coating systems provide for next-day return to service.
Q: Who can install Polyaspartic Coatings?
A: SPARTACOTE® polyaspartic and epoxy concrete coatings systems are high performance materials that should only be installed by a coatings contractor trained by a SPARTACOTE concrete coatings expert.
LATICRETE® International offers regular SPARTACOTE trainings held throughout the U.S. Please contact your local LATICRETE technical sales rep today to find out where the next available training will be. To find one near you, call +1.203.393.0010 or +1.800.243.4788 or email us.
Polyaspartic Coatings vs. Epoxy Coatings
Q: Are Polyaspartic Coatings as durable as Epoxy Coatings?
A: Yes, and then some. Based on empirical testing data, polyaspartic concrete coatings offer abrasion resistant capabilities that far exceed those of typical epoxy systems.
Q: Can I use Polyaspartic Coating over an Epoxy Coating?
A: Yes, Polyaspartic coatings exhibit superior inter-coat adhesion vs. epoxy coatings. For old epoxy floor coatings that are still well adhered to the substrate, an installer can apply a new polyaspartic top-coat over that area. The process for doing so includes first mechanically profiling the existing epoxy floor by sanding it. Following that, excess dust is vacuumed and the area is wiped with an appropriate solvent or adhesion promotor to clean the surface. The area is then properly prepared for a fresh polyaspartic top-coat.
Q: Why would you not select a Polyaspartic Coating?
A: Polyaspartic coatings are not suitable applications for every type of environment, nor surface. Avoid using these materials in situations where a breathable concrete sealer is specified. These applications include exterior stamped concrete, driveways and sidewalks. Polyaspartics are seamless, high performance polymer coatings designed for protection. They will not breathe. And they can exhibit moisture challenges over time if not used properly.