Tools required:
Large mixing containers Temperature gun aka Infrared gun Mixing Sticks Power Drill and plastic paddle mixers (for 2+ gallon mixtures) Disposable nitrile gloves Xylene (amounts are dependent on amount of Urethane being used) Extension pole and a Foam Roller (for smooth epoxy surfaces only) or Nap roller ½” or greater (for textured broadcast applications only) Rolling pan with liner Solvent Resistant Sprayer if you prefer to spray the product Box of rags
Key Terms:
Xylene - A chemical that is added to Urethane to help it become more user friendly, achieve maximum coverage per gallon, and prevent orange peel on smooth surfaces.
Orange Peel - A textured appearance that looks similar to an ‘orange peel’ common with Urethane applications on smooth surfaces.
Pot life - The amount of time mixed product can sit in the container.
Broadcast - This term refers to evenly distributing aggregate to the surface of an epoxy project either by hand or with a mini leaf blower.
Skim coat - A thin application of clear epoxy used to seal a porous substrate. Skim coats are often referred to as ‘seal coats,’ they are one in the same.
Flood coat - The thick aesthetic epoxy pour that is poured out onto your substrate; clear or colored.
Bear in mind temperatures
Our 93% Urethane is a forgiving product when it comes to temperatures. Product and ambient temperatures should be between 32°- 80° degrees Fahrenheit (0°-26° celcius); this is important to note especially during Winter and Summer seasons.Product temperatures can drastically vary during transit throughout certain times of the year. With our infrared Temperature gun, you can temp your Urethane to ensure it is at an appropriate starting temperature.
When applying outside during the summer season, we recommend getting an early bird start. Despite this product curing rather quickly, freshly applied urethane during the peak of the day with heat from the sun and climbing temperatures of the substrate itself, can result in the product bubbling.
Step 1: Prep Work
Declutter the working area and remove all dust, leaves and debris. Shut off any airflow. Limit traffic in the area in order to prevent debris from landing in your project. Clean your substrate with household cleaning products free from oil or water. Isopropyl alcohol works just fine.
Please review our Flooring Instructions for more detailed information on how to prep different substrates and how to fix any flooring concerns prior to applying the product.
Step 2: Mixing Urethane
Our 93% Urethane is a two part system at a 3:1 ratio. The product is quite fluid and can be mixed by hand however for 2+ gallons at a time we would recommend a paddle mixer. Add your A & B first to ensure your ratios are correct then add your Xylene. Mix for 5 minutes. From here you should have a pot life of about 24 hours if the mixed product is resealed.
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Add anywhere from 100-150% of Xylene to your Urethane batch. Example: If you have 128 ounces of Urethane add anywhere from 128-192 ounces of Xylene.
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Xylene substitutes are acceptable, nothing else.
Step 3: Urethane Application
Typically one gallon of 93% Urethane will get you anywhere from 250-500 square feet of coverage. This is dependent on the percentage of xylene added, whether the substrate is smooth or textured, and the individual's ability to work the product. Adding a higher percentage of Xylene should yield a higher end of our estimated coverage per gallon.
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Our Urethane is meant to bond to our epoxy. Other applications may be achievable - either way you should always do a test area first.
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This product is very pungent; if applied inside ensure there is enough time for the rooms to aerate, especially if this is a residential project.
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It is most ideal to work in a low humidity environment prior to starting this application.
There are two ways in which you can apply a Urethane coating:
From a pan roller:
When rolling out of a pan, ensure a very thin application of Urethane. It is crucial to follow up the application with a cross rolling method to help not only pick up any potential excess product but also to help the Urethane get into every nook and cranny of a textured application.
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For smooth surfaces you will want to use a large ½” or greater foam roller. Note that achieving a smooth end result is exceptionally difficult for this type of application; experienced contractors only.
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Be advised when using foam rollers on exceptionally larger sized projects, you will notice the foam roller begin to deteriorate. Remain observant otherwise this will leave debris in your application that you cannot get out after it has cured.
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For textured surfaces you will want to use a large ½” or greater nap roller.
From a solvent resistant sprayer:
When searching for a proper sprayer make sure it is a solvent resistant sprayer. If you have never done an application similar to this, practice on other test pieces before working on your final project. Apply a very thin layer of the product throughout the project. Whichever direction you decide to go, you must remember that the applications are meant to be thin. No puddling or polling should take place otherwise those areas will cure glossy. We would encourage a dry cross rolling after the application to pick up any excess material.
Where and when should I use 93% Urethane?
On top of a broadcast system:
After a full broadcast has been applied to an epoxy coating (whether it be our Sand, Mica flakes, or Glass beads) and instructions have been followed per the SuperTraxx Broadcast System, we then use our nap roller or solvent resistant sprayer to seal everything down. This is a decorative coating system that offers traction in areas where slipping is of concern. We often see these applications on pool decks, porches, driveways, and sidewalks!
On top of an epoxy Flood coat:
When applying our Urethane mixture to a smooth finished Epoxy Flooring, let the epoxy floor cure for 24-48 hours; 24 hours for light foot traffic. Lightly sand the floor, swiffer with acetone, then continue to apply the Urethane with a foam roller or solvent resistant sprayer.Due to our epoxy flooring products being so durable in their own right, the only time we encourage this application is if the room is susceptible to receiving more wear and tear than average along with potential chemical exposure. Note that a Urethane top coat may leave a slight orange peel effect throughout a smooth floor.
On top of an epoxy Skim coat:
At times we may want to simply maintain the appearance of a concrete slab and simply seal it. That is when we would apply a Skim coat of our Ultra Flex Epoxy, please see the Epoxy Flooring Instructions, and wait 12-24 hours for it to have cured. Conduct a very light sanding, swiffer with acetone, then continue to apply the Urethane with a foam roller or solvent resistant sprayer.
Mixed with Traction Powder:
Traction powder is another anti-slip option for indoor or outdoor applications! This is a product you would mix into a batch of Urethane after the xylene has been added. One bag mixed into 1 gallon covering about 500 square feet would result in a partial coverage. Add more powder for a more concentrated amount of traction or less for more sparse traction. Due to this product being very prone to becoming airborne because of its extreme lightweight, we strongly encourage the usage of a respirator. This mixture will need to be rolled out of a pan.
For a sparse glass bead application, outside, on large square footage:
This trifecta is a unique occurrence but always a possibility.
After your epoxy Flood coat has been prepped, you can roll out a very thin coating of Urethane, and lightly broadcast your small glass beads with either a mini leaf blower or by throwing them directly up into the air and letting them disperse naturally.
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For inside applications (large or small) you can do the process stated above OR use the Diamond Gloss Epoxy! Prep the Flood coat, roll a thin layer of Gloss, and then broadcast away.
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Some people prefer to broadcast directly into their epoxy Flood Coat.
This does take a little more familiarity with the epoxy as you will want to broadcast your medium to large sized glass beads when the epoxy is ‘just right’ in terms of its firmness. If the epoxy is too fluid the beads will sink; if the epoxy is too firm they will sit on the surface and kick off as soon as someone walks on them.
This can be challenging if you aren’t sure how to determine that sweet spot OR if it's a large project that you can’t access every section without walking all over it thus compromising the smooth surface.
Step 4: The Final Touches!
It is very important to note that Urethane can cure in just a few hours! This timeframe will vary due to environment and temperatures.
On a Broadcast System only - If you wish to do a secondary application of Urethane to ensure everything is covered, use your best judgment as to when it has mostly cured with little to no stickiness, and do the second application in less than 12 hours from the first application. Failure to remain in this window can result in delamination. For smooth applications it is not advised to attempt a second application of this product.