Our Process
See Exactly What Goes
Into Your Floor
Every step from bare concrete to a floor that lasts a lifetime.
Free Consultation & Estimate
We visit your space, assess the concrete condition, identify existing coatings or contaminants, and test for moisture. Formal moisture testing per ASTM standards tells us exactly what’s happening inside your slab, so we can select the right system and eliminate risk before a single coat goes down.
- Concrete condition assessment and square footage measurement
- Moisture testing — calcium chloride (ASTM F1869) and relative humidity (ASTM F2170)
- Existing coating and sealer identification
- Crack, spalling, and structural issue mapping
- Color and finish selection with physical samples
- Detailed written estimate
Surface Preparation
80% of all coating failures are caused by inadequate surface prep. This is what separates professional work from a hardware store kit that peels in six months. We diamond grind every floor — never acid etch.
Clear & Clean
The entire space is cleared. We sweep, vacuum, and degrease to remove all oil, grease, and contaminants from the slab.
Crack & Joint Repair
Every crack is filled with flexible polyurea or epoxy filler that handles minor concrete movement. Spalls and damaged areas are patched. Expansion joints are addressed.
Diamond Grinding
Industrial diamond grinders remove the smooth “cream layer” from the concrete surface, exposing the aggregate and creating a Concrete Surface Profile (CSP 2–3). The microscopic peaks and valleys give the coating a mechanical grip that acid etching can’t match.
Edge Work
Hand grinders reach every inch the walk-behind grinder can’t — within 6 inches of every wall, around columns, and into corners.
Dust Removal & Inspection
Industrial vacuum removes all grinding dust. Zero dust tolerance. We verify the profile, cleanliness, and moisture readings one final time before proceeding.
Primer Application
Primer penetrates into the concrete pores and creates the bonding surface for the entire system above it. The type of primer depends on your slab’s specific conditions.
- Standard primer for properly prepared, dry concrete
- Oil-blocking primer for slabs with oil contamination history
- Moisture vapor barrier primer (100% solids epoxy) for elevated moisture — handles up to 20 lbs / 1,000 sq ft / 24 hrs
Base Coat Application
100% solids epoxy base coat applied at 10–15+ mils. This is not the water-based product you’d find at a hardware store — nothing evaporates. The full thickness remains on your floor, forming a rigid thermoset polymer that chemically bonds to the primed concrete.
- Two-part system (resin + hardener) mixed on-site
- Applied within the product’s pot life for proper crosslinking
- Rolled or squeegeed to even, consistent thickness
- For metallic systems: black pigmented primer applied first, then metallic epoxy manipulated for depth effects
Decorative Broadcast
While the base coat is still wet, your chosen decorative material is broadcast into the surface for a permanent bond. This is where your floor gets its look.
- Flake / Chip — colored vinyl flakes in your custom color blend, full broadcast for complete coverage
- Quartz — colored quartz granules for texture and superior slip resistance
- Metallic — metallic pigments manipulated with rollers for one-of-a-kind depth effects
- Solid Color — clean, uniform finish (no broadcast step needed)
UV-Stable Top Coat
The final layer is a polyaspartic clear coat that seals and protects the entire system. This is the sacrificial wear layer that takes the daily abuse so the coating underneath doesn’t have to.
- Polyaspartic chemistry — will not yellow in sunlight
- Applied at 3–5 mils
- Anti-slip additive mixed in if specified (aluminum oxide or polymer grit)
- Gloss, satin, or matte finish — your choice
- Resists hot tire pickup, chemicals, and abrasion
Final Walkthrough & Cure
We walk you through the finished floor, answer every question, and provide care instructions. Satisfaction Guaranteed.
When You Can Use Your Floor
Rushing the cure is one of the most common causes of premature failure. The wait is worth it.
24 hours
Light foot traffic
48–72 hours
Furniture & heavy items
5–7 days
Vehicle traffic
28 days
Full chemical cure
Conditions matter: Temperatures must remain above 55°F and humidity below 85% during cure. Cooler temps extend all timelines.
Why This Process Exists
Diamond Grinding, Never Acid Etching
Acid etching produces an inconsistent profile, doesn’t remove sealers or coatings, and introduces chemical contamination. Diamond grinding creates a precise, clean Concrete Surface Profile every time.
Moisture Testing on Every Slab
Most contractors skip this. Moisture in concrete is invisible and can destroy a coating from underneath. We test per ASTM standards and address it before any coating goes down.
100% Solids, Not Water-Based
Hardware store kits are 40–55% solids — the rest evaporates, leaving a thin film. Our 100% solids epoxy means nothing evaporates. Full thickness remains, full protection delivered.
Multi-Layer System, Not a Single Coat
Primer, base coat, decorative layer, and top coat — each layer has a specific job. A single thin coat from a kit can’t do what a purpose-built system does.
See the Process in Person
Schedule a free consultation and we'll walk you through every step for your specific space. No pressure, no obligation — just a honest assessment and a transparent quote.