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Epoxy Cure Time: How Long Does Epoxy Floor Take to Dry?

Epoxy flooring is a popular choice in commercial settings due to its durability and low-maintenance properties. However, many people have one main question: How long does an epoxy floor take to dry?

How Long Does Epoxy Flooring Take to Cure?

So, how long does epoxy take to dry? The epoxy cure time varies depending on the type of epoxy and the environment’s ambient temperature. Most epoxies will take between 12 and 24 hours to cure enough to walk on. It is important to note that the curing process is not complete until the epoxy has fully hardened. This can generally take up to 72 hours, depending on the temperate and humidity of the surroundings. However, in some cases, it can take up to 1 week.

So, if you are planning on installing epoxy flooring, be sure to factor in the curing time before you start!

How To Cure Epoxy Faster

Working with epoxy can be easy if you know what steps to follow, but consider curing time before getting started. If you need to cure epoxy flooring quickly, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process:

Clean the surface

Before applying the epoxy, you need to make sure the surface is clean. Remove any debris or dust with a broom or hoover. If there is any grease or oil on the surface, use a degreaser to remove it.

If the surface is not clean, you will need to apply a primer first. This will help the epoxy adhere to the surface and cure faster.

Ensure proper mixing

When you mix epoxy, you need to make sure it is properly blended. If there are any lumps or streaks, the epoxy will not cure evenly and will be susceptible to damage.

While adding a higher ratio of hardener to the resin may be tempting to help it cure faster, this may cause some parts of the mixture to remain sticky and not cure completely. Make sure the mixture is smooth and free of clumps before applying it to the surface.

Apply epoxy in thin coats

Applying epoxy in thin coats will help it cure faster. However, if you use too much at once, the epoxy will not have enough time to cure correctly and could crack or peel.

If you are working on a large area, divide it into smaller sections and apply the epoxy in thin layers. This will help ensure that the epoxy cures evenly and there is no chance of damage.

Increase temperature

If you need to cure epoxy faster, you can increase the ambient temperature. This will help the epoxy cure more quickly. However, ensure the temperature is not too high, or it could damage the epoxy.

The ideal temperature for curing epoxy flooring is 24-30 degrees Celcius.

If you are working in a cold environment, try warming up the area with a space heater or heat lamp. If you are working in a hot climate, try cooling down the room with a fan.

Using epoxy additives

If you are in a hurry, you can use epoxy additives to help the epoxy cure faster. There are a variety of additives available, so you can find one that meets your needs. These additives will not modify any properties that may be important to the integrity of the epoxy.

These add-ons can help give an excellent finish when dried but need careful attention during use due to potential colour tinting effects.

Using an epoxy curing oven

If you need to cure epoxy quickly and evenly, you can use an epoxy curing oven. This particular oven is designed to cure epoxy speedily and without any damage.

An epoxy curing oven is a good option if you need to cure a large area in a short amount of time.

How Long Does Epoxy Clear Coat Take To Dry?

An epoxy clear coat is a low viscosity protective coating applied over the epoxy flooring to seal and protect it from wear and tear, scratches, stains, and other damage. It is a tough, durable coating that will keep flooring surfaces looking new for years. An epoxy clear coat can be applied with a brush or a roller, and it dries quickly to a hard finish. In addition, it is UV-resistant and will not fade or discolour in the sun.

It generally takes around 24 hours for the coating to dry, but caution should be taken for a little bit longer before subjecting it to heavy usage.

When Can I Walk on My New Epoxy Floor?

Many clients wonder how long to stay off the epoxy floor before walking on it. Once the epoxy has completely cured, it is safe to step on. However, you need to be careful not to damage it.

It is usually safe to walk on an epoxy floor after 25 hours. However, it is best to wait 48-72 hours before walking on it heavily.

Will Winter Temperatures Change the Curing Time?

If you are positioning the epoxy floor in a cold environment, the curing time may take longer than expected. This is because the temperature of the base substance is more important than the ambient temperature when curing epoxy, so if this layer is cold, it will need warming before the epoxy is installed. This may add additional time to the preparation of the base, so it should be considered for planning purposes.

Humidity also plays a role in epoxy curing time, which should be under 85% for the epoxy to correctly bond and cure to the base flooring layer.

Conclusion

Epoxy is a durable and long-lasting flooring solution, but proper preparation is vital. This article outlines the different ways to speed up the curing process depending on your needs. We have also detailed how to apply epoxy properly to cure evenly and without damage and how long before you can walk on an epoxy floor. Following these useful hints will help ensure that your epoxy flooring is adequately cured, ready to use, and looks great for years to come.

Contact Us

At Impact Flooring, we specialise in high-quality resin floors. If you would like more information about how long epoxy takes to set, the flooring we provide, or help in deciding which resin flooring solution best meets your requirements, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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