Let Your Creativity Flow By Creating a Lava Flow Epoxy Coating
Today, we’ll teach you how to create a lava flow epoxy coating. Lava flow epoxy is an interior graded coating system. This, in the end, will create a metal look with lots of color options.
It is important that you follow everything to the letter so that you get professional results! Our experts always focus on delivering results of the highest quality, so here we will teach you to be a perfectionist like us! You have a great project ahead, so it’s time to get down to work!
The finished look is a smooth glass-like finish that has a unique and subtle deflective metallic sparkle. For instance, lava flow epoxy coating can look like melted metal at times.
But honestly, we tell you that lava flow epoxy will create a unique floor finish. You can use a single color, or you can use different pigments, that will be your choice. One of the best thins you can do is to improve your garage floor using this kind of material if you are interested you can learn more about our epoxy floor coating service.
5 Steps to Create a Unique and Spotless Lava Flow Epoxy Coating
Step 1. Checking the Floor Porosity
We know that this type of floor is known for its easy cleaning, but this does not mean you have to let it get very dirty. While it is true that this or affect its durability, if it will make you look bad and you will not take advantage of that incredible shine that only this material can give you.
The floor must be clean. But also, it should be a concrete floor that is porous. If you are not sure if the floor is porous, then you can test it by pouring water onto it.
So, if the concrete darkens due to the water, it’s porous. But if the water beads up, we recommend a light grinding to open it up. With a light grinding, you will guarantee the best adhesion of your epoxy solution.
Step 2. Mixing the Primer
Lay down a drop cloth in a convenient location to use it as a mixing area. Use a 5-gallon bucket to mix the primer. First, pour the contents of the 4001 water-based epoxy A and B (fast primer/clear seal) into the clean bucket. Then, you should mix them for 3 minutes using a mixing drill and paddle. Be careful in this process, take your time to do it.
Step 3. Installing the 4001 Primer
You must apply the mixture to the surface using a soft bristle push broom, brush, roller, or squeegee. But you must be careful since the coverage rate must be 350 square feet per mixed gallon.
Also, we recommend that you don’t let the material to puddle. When spreading the primer, you should roll in both directions to create an even cover.
Once the primer dries into a transparent film, you can proceed to the next step.
Step 4. Mixing the Lava Flow
First, you should mix 2 parts of the 4800 Epoxy A Component with 1 part of 4800 Epoxy B Component. Then, you can mix it for 2-3 minutes with a jiffy type mixing blade at not less than 400 revolutions per minute.
Add one lava flow pigment pack to each 1.5 gallon kit of the 4800 epoxy mix and continue to mix for another 1-2 minutes.
Now, you can pour the material onto the floor and work it back and forth with a 1/16 inch notch trowel or a squeegee. Also, you should keep in mind to apply the lava flow at a spread rate of 100 square feet per gallon.
Then, you should use a roller to spread the mixture more evenly. Repeat this process over the entire work area.
Without doubts, lava flow epoxy floor is an easy-to-install product. But one of its most significant benefits is that it offers irreparable results each time that is applied. You can use endless techniques to create a style that you can call your own. In the end, lava flow epoxy floor is all about letting your creativity flow.
In this step you have to be very careful since the final quality of the process depends on this. It is important that you follow our advice so that everything comes out as you are dreaming, if the lava flow is badly mixed then you will not get that bright and radiant result that you are waiting for.
Step 5. Spraying with Denatured Alcohol
After 30 to 60 minutes of the initial application, you should use spiked shoes to walk onto the floor. Before the lava flow epoxy coating packs up, you should spray the area with denatured alcohol. You must do this all over the covered area.
This is done because the alcohol will level out the epoxy coating and make the trowel lines to go away.
The amount of alcohol applied will affect the epoxy effect. For instance, a light spraying will yield a more uniform effect. Whereas, if you spray the floor a little heavier, you’ll create a more sporadic and cratering effect on the surface.
Large droplets of denatured alcohol will create large craters.
You can also use an air blower to create a blown effect. Or you can introduce other colors to get an even more creative design.
If you are not satisfied with the results, you can just roll or squeegee the surface again; you’ll have 15 to 20 minutes to make some corrections.
So this means that another spraying can be done. Also, you should keep in mind that the appearance will change with the amount of time you let the lava flow epoxy coating set up. On quick fact is that the drying process will be faster on warm days and much slower on cooler days.
These steps will make your floor coating skills go to the next level. Now, you can go ahead and create your unique and beautiful lava flow epoxy coating.
One of the main benefits or this kind of material is that it creates a shiny surface that increases the brightness of your floor. It also increases the appeal of your floor, if you decide to apply this coating then, you will achieve a modern and long-lasting floor.
It also is easy to install, so you will save time and money at the same time! We understand that this is a big decision an that is why we wrote this article, we are here to guide and help you with anything! We want to share our knowledge with you!
If you still need the hand of a professional, feel free to call us. Here at Best Floor Coatings LLC, we deliver super floor coating solutions. Our team is here to provide you our knowledge and our tools so you can achieve the floor of your dreams!
Are you thinking of giving new life to the floor of your garage? Then you should check our epoxy floor coating service!
At this point, you only have to follow this process and get the floor you’ve been dreaming of! As last advice we can only tell you to be careful, to follow everything to the letter and enjoy the ride! If you need help remember that we are always here to help, you just have to contact us!