Express yourself through the ground you walk on.
Epoxy is known for its tough, durable finish. It has a beautiful, iconic clear coat. But did you know that with the help of pigments, you can also use pigments to color epoxy to express your creative vision?
By adding pigments to epoxy, combining colors, you can transform your floor into a work of art. Whether you want a subtle change or a dramatic statement, there’s an epoxy color for you.
How to Color Epoxy Floors
Adding pigment to epoxy is a relatively simple process that takes place during your normal installation routines. If you handle it with care and attention, you can make any floor shine bright with beautiful colors! Here’s a simple guide on how to color epoxy during your regular process:
1. Pre-Installation Preparation
From the mixing to the grinding, this is some of the most important work to guarantee a successful installation. If you’re looking for how to color epoxy floors, you’ll need to make sure you’re working with even, grinded concrete. By using high quality epoxy resin, like the EpoxyETC or RockHard lines of resin, you guarantee a solid, sleek finish.
First, you’ll need to smooth out any unevenness in your concrete so that the epoxy will take properly. Whether that’s by grinding out bumps, or patching & repairing any holes and cracks, you’ll need a good surface for the epoxy. It’s also important to make sure that the concrete is not only cured and dried, but also has the appropriate roughness & CSP for it to catch epoxy properly.
Then, you’ll need to mix the epoxy according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Generally, epoxy resins require that you mix two parts of solution A, and one part solution B for a few minutes with an adequate mixing tool. Be sure to pay careful attention to your mixing ratios, or you can end up with a faulty epoxy installation.
2. Adding the Pigments to Color Epoxy
Once the epoxy is mixed, add the pigments of your choice and stir until combined. Your pigment of choice may let you know how much to add, but feel free to explore and get creative! If you’re confused about the pigmentation process, try testing with smaller batches first.
Looking to add a combination of several colors? You may need to make a few smaller batches to complete the look you want. Don’t let the epoxy sit out too long after you’ve mixed it! It could overheat, begin its hardening process and become unusable.
What Pigments Should I Use To Color Epoxy?
From mica-particles to iron oxide and more, there’s a lot of different methods of epoxy pigment application. To simplify this for you, many distributors offer color charts, helping you understand in an easy, clear way what colors you’re buying.
Some of our favorite pigments on the market right now come from companies like HP Spartacote, who offer a beautiful variety of bright, solid colors for use with their high-quality resin. At EpoxyETC, you also have the choice of buying a similar palette of solid color pigments, or you can make a statement with our line of metallic epoxy pigments! We also have a line of a wide variety of powdered pigments you can buy.
All of the above pigments are specifically designed for your epoxy. Get creative, explore and deliver beautifully colored floors to your clients!
3. Applying the Epoxy
Next, apply the epoxy to your floor using squeegee, then roll it out to distribute it evenly. If you apply the epoxy correctly, in long, smooth strokes with a good floor application squeegee, you’ll be left with a sleek, beautifully colored floor. With properly designed spiked shoes, you can walk on your epoxy as you install it without ruining it. This will massively help your installation efficiency. Use a high quality metal tined spiked roller for your epoxy to get an even distribution of resin.
The application process is where you can truly express your creative vision! Add in streaks of color combinations, go for a solid color look, or even broadcast vinyl flakes and glitter. With epoxy, your options are nearly endless for customization. Once you’ve finished with your primer, broadcast and any other layers you’re using in your system, there’s only one step left.
4. Let Your Epoxy Cure & Dry
Finally, allow the epoxy to cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Our previous article on epoxy curing & drying times can help clear up any questions you may have about this process. This is an essential step to achieving a successful installation. While each individual needs to be left to cure and dry before applying another layer of epoxy on it, the final cure is the most important.
Letting your epoxy cure properly, and for the right amount of time, in the right conditions, guarantees a sleek and solid finish that’ll last for years.
And that’s it! With a little bit of creativity, you can transform your floor into a work of art.
Learn To Mix, Apply & Color Epoxy
Learning how to create color combinations and make beautiful, bright floors is an essential epoxy skill. Round out your experience by signing up for our Epoxy Classes program today! We’ll give you the chance to work with experienced professionals and learn all the skills you’ll need hands-on in our training warehouse. Our 5-day course will cover:
- How to create and install different classic epoxy designs, and how to color epoxy
- Proper surface preparation routines & techniques
- How to operate a grinder & repairing concrete
Sign up to learn from the best in the industry today!
Conclusion
Coloring your epoxy floor is a great way to add a personal touch to your space. With the help of pigments, you can achieve any color you want. So get creative and have fun!
If you want to take a look at our color charts, or you have any other epoxy-related questions, call our specialists at (954) 287-3797. From pigments, to resin, and more, our EpoxyETC online store has all the resources for your installations at competitive prices.