What NOT to Put on Your Epoxy Floor

What NOT to Put on Your Epoxy Floor

Epoxy is one of the toughest finishes you can put on a garage floor — but even tough has limits. A few common garage items can dull, stain, or scratch a quality coating over time. Here’s what to keep off your floor, or at least handle with a little care.

Full-strength acids. Muriatic acid, battery acid, and harsh descalers can etch the surface. Epoxy shrugs off most household chemicals, but don’t let strong acids sit. Rinse spills quickly with plenty of water.

Solvents left to pool. A quick wipe of paint thinner or acetone is no problem, but letting solvents puddle for hours can soften the finish. Clean up spills when they happen, not when you get around to it.

Dragging metal. Chains, jack stands without rubber pads, steel shelving legs pulled across the floor — these scratch anything. Use mats under heavy equipment and felt pads on furniture legs. Small habits, big difference.

Road-salt slush left for days. Meltwater itself washes off easily, but slush mixed with gravel and salt grinding under tires for weeks works its way into micro-scratches. A quick squeegee or mop through a Calgary winter keeps the floor looking new.

A pressure washer on full blast, up close. A light rinse is fine, but a zero-degree tip held inches from the floor can lift coating edges — especially on older floors.

Hot, grimy tires parked in the same spot all season. Heat plus road grime plus time can leave faint marks. Parking mats are cheap insurance.

None of this is fussy. Sweep regularly, mop with mild soap and water, and clean up spills promptly — that’s the whole routine. Do that, and your epoxy stays glossy and tough for years.

Already have some wear or damage on your floor? Lo and Behold Floor Epoxy Coating can take a look and talk you through your options — repairs, a fresh topcoat, or a full redo if it needs one.

Ready for a floor that’s easy to live with? Estimates are free — email info@loandbeholdepoxy.ca or call 825-734-2353 or 825-906-4038. We do estimates by callback, so reach out and we’ll ring you back to set it up. Proudly serving Calgary and nearby areas.