An epoxy coating turns a dusty concrete garage floor into a durable, easy-to-clean, attractive surface. It's a doable DIY project, but the result lives or dies on preparation — epoxy peels off poorly prepped concrete.
Test for moisture
Epoxy won't bond to a slab with moisture pushing up through it. Tape a plastic sheet to the floor for a day; condensation underneath means moisture problems that must be solved first, or the coating will fail.
Prep the surface
The concrete must be clean, degreased, and profiled (etched with acid or mechanically ground) so the epoxy can grip. Repair cracks and pits. This prep is most of the work and skipping it is the top reason epoxy floors fail.
Apply in the right conditions
Apply in the temperature and humidity range the product specifies, working quickly since epoxy has a limited pot life once mixed. Broadcast decorative flakes into the wet coat if desired, and add a topcoat for durability and slip resistance. Let it cure fully before driving on it.