Frequently Asked Questions

Many installers cut corners to reduce labor costs and speed up projects. Without moisture testing, concrete grinding, crack repairs, and thorough cleaning, epoxy fails to bond properly and peels or chips within months. CS Custom Epoxy performs full prep on every job to maximize adhesion and prevent early failure.

Flake systems use decorative chips broadcast into an MVB base coat, then sealed with polyaspartic topcoat for texture and traction. Metallic epoxy uses a specialized pigment coat over the base that creates custom swirled designs—every floor looks visually unique. Flake works best for garages and workshops, metallic for showrooms and homes.

Georgia's humidity causes moisture to move through concrete slabs, creating pressure under epoxy coatings. Without moisture testing before installation, trapped vapor causes bubbling and delamination. Professional moisture evaluation determines if a vapor barrier or specific primer is needed before the epoxy base coat.

Grinding removes surface contaminants, opens the concrete's pores, and creates a rough profile that epoxy bonds to. This mechanical preparation is more reliable than acid etching alone. Skipping this step is the primary cause of coating failure within the first year.

Weather-resistant epoxy systems are designed for patios, porches, and walkways, with slip-resistant finishes for safety. Georgia's temperature swings and UV exposure require specific formulations that resist fading and thermal expansion. Surface preparation is critical because outdoor concrete experiences more moisture movement than interior slabs.

Polyaspartic seals the decorative flake layer with a high-performance clear coat that cures faster than traditional epoxy and resists yellowing from UV exposure. It's applied after excess flake is scraped away and the surface is cleaned. This topcoat provides chemical resistance and makes the floor easy to sweep and mop.

Epoxy creates a seamless barrier that prevents surface moisture from causing staining, efflorescence, or concrete deterioration. However, moisture testing is essential before installation—if groundwater pressure is too high, a vapor barrier primer must be applied first or the coating will fail regardless of quality.

The metallic pigment coat is hand-manipulated during application, creating custom swirls and depth effects that can't be replicated. Variables like temperature, humidity, application technique, and color combinations make each installation visually unique. No two metallic floors are identical even when using the same color palette.

Industrial coatings are formulated for heavier abrasion, chemical exposure, and impact from forklifts and equipment. They use thicker mil builds and harder resin systems than residential products. Surface preparation is more aggressive to handle the operational demands of daily warehouse traffic.

Polished concrete works when you want a modern aesthetic without additional coating layers, lower maintenance than epoxy, and improved light reflectivity in commercial spaces. It's ideal for retail stores, warehouses, and offices where the concrete substrate is in good condition and doesn't require decorative flake or metallic finishes.

MVB is a moisture vapor barrier epoxy primer applied after grinding and repairs. It bonds to the prepared concrete and blocks moisture transmission that would otherwise cause delamination. The decorative flake is broadcast into this base coat while it's still wet, creating mechanical lock and visual texture.

Unrepaired cracks allow moisture intrusion and create stress points where coatings fail first. Professional repair involves routing the crack, filling with epoxy compound, and grinding flush before coating. This prevents the crack from telegraphing through the finished floor and compromising adhesion around the damaged area.