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How to epoxy a garage floor

The image shows a garage with a floor, a wall-mounted cabinet, and a bicycle hanging on the other wall

Overview

Give your garage floor a polished concrete look by applying a protective epoxy floor. Epoxy floors are durable, easy to clean and resistant to stains and spills like motor oil, paint, lubricants and more. They also look great. We’ll show you how to epoxy your garage floor in this step-by-step D.I.Y. guide.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. Always store products out of the reach of children and pets.

Steps

1Sweep the area 

Start by completely clearing out the garage, removing anything that’s on or near the floor. The epoxy process will take a few days, so keep that in mind when you’re finding temporary homes for items. Give the floor a good sweep with an outdoor broom to remove dust, dirt and debris
A Bunnings team member is sweeping the garage floor with a broom, and bicycles are hanging on the wall.

2Get rid of oil stains 

Use a degreaser to remove any old oil stains on the floor. Apply the degreaser to the stains, scrub them with a brush, and let everything sit according to the time recommended by the manufacturer’s packaging.
A hand with gloves is applying degreaser to the stain and scrubbing it with a brush.

3Steps

Rinse the floor with a high pressure washer to remove the degreaser residue. You may need to go over it a few times, but this will ensure a clean surface for the epoxy to adhere to.
Green Bunnings hammer
Tip: Did you know you can hire a pressure washer in-store? Speak with one of our helpful Team Members to learn more. (Available in select stores only.)
A Bunnings team member is rinsing the floor with a high pressure washer to remove the degreaser residue

4Use a bristle brush to ensure a clean surface

If you have a few stubborn stains leftover, use a stiff bristled brush and scrub until they’re removed. It’s important to take your time and be thorough, as having a clean surface is essential for a good result. Dust and debris can create bumps and imperfections that will prevent you from achieving that uniform, smooth, professional polished concrete floor finish.
A person is scrubbing the floor with a stiff bristled brush for stubborn stains.

5Apply etching and cleaning solution 

Etching is a process that roughens the surface of the concrete, creating tiny grooves. This helps the epoxy adhere better by giving it something to bond to.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions to mix the etching solution in a plastic watering can or pump sprayer. Don't allow the etching solution to dry, as this will affect how the epoxy bonds to the floor, so work in sections to pour or spray the solution evenly across your floor. Use a stiff bristled brush to scrub the solution into the concrete. This will ensure it gets into the concrete and works its magic.

Once the etching solution stops fizzing, rinse the floor thoroughly until there’s no residue left. Repeat this step until you’ve etched your entire floor. Rinse the floor thoroughly with a hose and squeegee away the water. Allow the floor to properly dry out (a minimum of 72 hours).

Green Bunnings hammer
Tip: Make sure you wear proper safety equipment and avoid any contact with the acidic solution.
A person wearing protective gloves is adding powder to a bucket.

6Conduct a porosity test

Once the 72 hours have passed, it’s time to conduct a porosity test to make sure the epoxy resin will stick well. Sprinkle some water on the concrete. If it absorbs quickly, move on to the next step. If it beads up, the floor needs more cleaning or etching. If you wipe your fingers on the floor and come away with dust or powdery residue, rinse your floor again until it’s sparkling clean.
A person in a red T-shirt is sprinkling water on the concrete.

7Conduct a moisture test

Now that you’ve made sure the floor is clean, it’s time to make sure it’s dry. Tape a piece of plastic to the floor and leave it for 24 hours. If condensation forms under the plastic, your floor might be too moist for epoxy. Consider leaving it to dry for another day or two or using a dehumidifier.
A Bunnings team member is removing tape attached to a piece of plastic from the floor.

8Tape up the walls

Use painter’s tape to tape up the lower portion of your walls. This will protect them from the epoxy resin and ensure they stay clean.
A Bunnings team member is putting tape on the lower walls to protect them from epoxy

9Mix the epoxy and prepare the area

Once the floor is prepped and the walls are taped, it’s time to apply the epoxy. Make sure to choose a day that’s between 15 and 29 degrees Celsius as this will give you the best cure.

To make this a smooth process, lay out your epoxy mix, paint brush and roller. Separate the decorative flakes into four cups. This will give you an even number of flakes to scatter for each corner of the room.

Mix the epoxy thoroughly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Do this part carefully and mix for about three to five minutes with a flat paddle stirrer. Note that it cures quickly, so you’ll have about an hour to work with it.

A Bunnings team member is holding epoxy coat part B, with part A and anti-skid additive placed on a blue sheet on the floor

10Add anti-slip additive

Epoxy floors can be enhanced with additives like anti-slip materials to improve traction and reduce the risk of slips and falls. We highly recommend adding an anti-slip additive to your epoxy at this stage.
A person wearing a red T shirt is adding anti skid additive into epoxy coat part A.

11Let the mixture stand

Let the mixed epoxy stand for the induction time as per the manufacturer’s instructions, mixing occasionally if directed. This step ensures the chemicals in the epoxy react properly.
A person seated on a blue sheet is pouring mixed epoxy into a paint tray.

12Cut in at the edges 

Epoxy can be a bit fiddly to work with because it settles quickly and needs to be remixed often. You will have to work quickly once it’s been mixed, given the setting time limit.

The process is to work in 1m x 1m sections, cutting in the edges with a paint brush, then filling it in quickly with a roller and scattering your decorative flakes before moving on to the next 1m x 1m section.

Green Bunnings hammer
Tip: Extra pairs of hands are useful for this step – ask some friends or family members for help.
To cut in the edges, take your paint brush and go around the edge of your garage where the roller brush can’t easily reach.
A Bunnings team member is using a paintbrush to cut in the edges.

13Roll out the epoxy 

Use a roller to apply the epoxy inside the 1m x 1m section you’ve just cut, making sure you keep a wet edge. This ensures even coverage and helps avoid roller marks. For easy work, we suggest using a long-handled roller with a 12mm to 16mm nap roller cover. This will help ensure an even finish, plus it will help prevent you from having to bend over too much.
A person is applying the epoxy using a roller

14Sprinkle decorative flakes

While the epoxy is still wet, sprinkle decorative flakes evenly across the surface. For an even distribution, toss the flakes upwards and let them fall gently onto the epoxy.
Green Bunnings hammer
Tip: This is a great two-person job. One person paints the 1m x 1m section, the other applies the decorative flakes.
Make sure you start at the back of the garage and finish outside. Don’t paint yourself into a corner! If your floor is weathered and needs an extra coat, apply the first coat without any flakes. Leave to dry for 24 to 48 hours and repeat the application process, adding the flakes during the second layer.
A Bunnings team member is evenly sprinkling decorative flakes across the surface

15Leave to dry

Once you’ve finished applying the epoxy, allow it to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. As a general guide, it should be touch dry in a few hours. Give it at least 24 hours before walking on it. Leave it for four to seven days to make sure it’s fully cured before you park your car on it or reintroduce any heavy furniture like work benches or shelving into your garage.
A beautiful garage floor coated with epoxy resin.

16Remove the painter’s tape

Use a utility knife and cut through any epoxy that’s overlapped onto the painter’s tape before removing the tape. This will give you that clean finish and prevent lifting.
A hand is peeling off masking tape for a clean finish and to prevent lifting

17Since your garage is clean and tidy...

Why not use this opportunity to get organised? Here’s how to organise your garage.
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.