Due to the abrasion generated by vehicle tires and oil and fuel spills, parking lot floors are susceptible to mechanical and chemical stress. Painting with epoxy or polyurethane-based paints is the solution to improve the impermeability of these environments and free them from possible contamination, increasing their resistance to abrasion, facilitating their cleaning, and adding more aesthetics to the project.
“Normally, these floors can be made with smooth or rough finishes, resistant to abrasion and ultraviolet rays (UV). The result of applying the floor painting system is a more aesthetically pleasing environment, with greater ease of maintenance and durability of the structure and resin flooring waterproofing products at oahupropainters.com for example.
How To Choose The Best System
Building parking lots, whether commercial or residential, may be subject to different situations, such as contact with groundwater or exposure to the elements. The choice of systems and products must take these particularities into account.
Generally, every concrete floor in contact with the ground should include a vapor barrier in its design. “A simple black plastic sheet of the correct weight can be enough to isolate it from moisture coming from the ground. Another possibility is using paints with water vapor permeability, which allows moisture to pass through and does not cause bubbles or peeling of the paint film.
Applying epoxy resin-based paints for uncovered areas is not recommended, as they will calcine, yellow, or burn due to the incidence of UV rays. The recommendation for the painting to have long-term aesthetic stability is to use an aliphatic polyurethane-based paint. “These paints are resistant to natural weathering and, therefore, do not suffer from calcination or color fading when exposed to this type of aggression.
Before choosing the system, it is also important to note the type of traffic the floor will receive. For example, parking lots in residential buildings have a smaller flow of vehicles when compared to those in commercial buildings.
Application Steps
Before starting the coating, it is very important to correctly prepare the concrete floor to improve the paint’s adhesion by sanding then sweeping and vacuuming the surface.
During this stage, it is necessary to ensure that applications are made by the climate guidelines indicated by each product and its manufacturer. It is also important to avoid mixing products from different manufacturers like Parking Garage Painting Services and respect the repainting intervals indicated in the technical sheets. “We also recommend that a mechanical mixer be used to homogenize the paint.
“Checking for moisture and choosing the most suitable primer for each situation are two additional precautions before starting the application. The products are all two-component, so after mixing, the resins must be applied quickly so that there is no material loss.
Keep An Eye On Maintenance
The useful life of a painting will depend on the correct specification of the film thickness applied to the floor, cleaning, conservation, and, mainly, the intensity of vehicle flow. “Depending on the dirt on the floor, it is possible to use specific commercial floor cleaning products, as long as they are correctly diluted according to the instructions.
In general, paint maintenance should occur at least every two years after its application. It is highly recommended to repaint curved areas and areas with greater stress due to the effect caused by vehicle wheels. “If the most demanding areas undergo constant maintenance, the useful life of these floors can reach nine to 10 years, as is the case with the parking lot at airport.
Cleaning the paintwork can be done with water and neutral detergent. It can also be done manually or mechanically with floor polishers, washers, and dryers. This equipment must have soft bristles or appropriate cleaning discs to avoid damaging the paintwork. “Depending on the level of dirt on the floor, it is possible to use specific commercial floor cleaning products, as long as they are correctly diluted according to the instructions.
