Portland, Oregon

Can all concrete floors be polished?

All concrete floors — new and old, soft and hard, even and uneven — can be polished with the proper diamond tooling and equipment. Typically, new floors are easier to polish because they don’t require as much surface preparation as older floors. Old concrete floors may need lippage reduction, epoxy removal, paint removal, stain removal, or glue removal. Typically new floors require a minimum of 30 days to cure prior to polishing.

Does the installation really only take one day? How does it work so fast?

Unlike epoxies and other polymers, acrylics don’t rely on the chemical reaction of a catalyst and resin to form a solid. Whereas epoxies require up to 30 days of curing time to achieve full strength, the complete curing process of an acrylic takes less than 45 minutes and obtains maximum strength. In addition, acrylics can be installed in temperatures as low as ‐20 degrees without slowing down the curing process. This allows installations during any time of the year and you will have full access to you garage the same day.

Is the process messy and will I have a dust problem?

We use the latest technology in grinding and vacuum equipment, so dust is generally not an issue. Our vacuums are equipped with HEPA filters which reduce the amount of dust significantly. However, in some situations (especially with coatings removal), some dust may be created. If you are storing items that are sensitive to dust, we recommend that you remove them from the garage or seal them in plastic.

Will there be an odor?

Acrylics are very low in VOCs and comply with all state regulations. Due to a high sensory factor, however, these products are perceived to have a strong odor although the parts per billion are very low. This odor is not toxic or harmful and will dissipate within a few hours after curing. If you have a heater or air conditioning unit located in the garage, we recommend that you turn off the system during installation to limit the odor spreading through your house.

How do I clean the floor?

In most cases water and Simple Green will do the trick. If you want to perform a major cleaning, you can use a diluted solution of Castrol Super Clean to mop down the floor. After the task is completed, simply hose off the floor and squeegee the excess water out of the garage. In the event you have a stubborn stain such as oil or paint, you can use a light amount of acetone on a rag. Please be careful not to saturate the rag and don’t leave puddles of acetone on the floor.

Will your company move the things in my garage? How do we prepare the area?

The customer is responsible for moving all of their personal items out of the garage. If you need assistance for heavier objects, we can help you move the items if prior arrangements are scheduled. Sweeping off the garage floor is not necessary. Customers needing assistance moving objects back into the garage will be charged for the additional time required to wait for the flooring system to cure, typically an additional 30 to 45 minutes.

Why should I seal my concrete?

While concrete is one of the most useful materials used in buildings today, it is vulnerable and should be protected. Concrete sealants can increase the strength, usefulness, and longevity of your concrete for years to come.

The main weakness in concrete is its porousness. It may not be a sponge, but it does absorb liquids in small amounts on the surface. These liquids can cause damage in a number of ways. If the liquid is a solvent such as acid or turpentine, it will slowly wear away the concrete. You will see pits spring up on the surface. Although pits can be patched, underneath, the concrete is permanently weakened.

Water also causes issues. If the water is allowed to freeze, the molecules expand and begin to push against the walls of the tiny surface holes. The holes become micro-cracks and begin to expand and spread across the surface of the concrete. These micro-cracks can continue to expand, eventually becoming visible cracks that are not only unsightly but also weaken your concrete.

A sealant will cover the surface and seal it against water and other liquids. Many sealants also help protect your concrete from damage caused by dropping heavy objects as well as the wear that comes from years of feet walking over it. A sealant is well worth considering since it can double the effective lifespan of your concrete surface.

What is concrete dust?

Every time a truck or person moves over concrete floors, small particles on the concrete surface are ground away to form a concrete dust. Yet, this is not an ordinary dust, it is sharp silicate which cuts into machinery, merchandise, as well as the lungs of a company’s employees or customers, causing damage in every instance. Concrete dust is a sure sign that your floors are disintegrating and will soon demand expensive repairs.

Eliminate the dust and protect your floor and surroundings with a concrete floor sealer for an overall better environment.

Does Specialty Coatings do abatement?

We don’t do abatement. This requires special licensing and equipment. However, Specialty Coatings has materials that are used to coat the asbestos, which effectively produces the same results. The central post office in Seattle had about 20,000 square feet of asbestos and the post office could not shut down for the removal. Instead, we coated the floor and encapsulated the material.

Have other questions? Call Specialty Coatings at (503) 644-7500 today!