Why Do Epoxy Garage Floors Get Cloudy and How Can You Restore Their Shine?

You covered your garage floor with an epoxy coating for a smooth finish… Great choice! Its durability and ability to withstand the wear and tear of daily use are known to all. But that doesn’t mean such coatings are indestructible. They can lose their shine over time.

Some of the leading reasons behind the accelerated loss of the epoxy coating’s beautiful gloss, along with preventive measures, have been discussed in today’s blog post.

Understanding the Foggy Look of Epoxy Garage Floors

Some of the leading reasons why your garage floor coating may lose its aesthetic appeal at an accelerated pace have been discussed below.

#1- Unprofessional application or curing process

How long your garage floor coatings will be able to retain their shine depends greatly on two factors… Number one: resin and hardener―were they mixed correctly and applied in ideal conditions? Number two: was it given enough time to cure? Improper application and curing process can cause the coating to lose its sign prematurely.

#2- Built-up of dirt and contaminants

The garage is used for a range of tough tasks… from parking vehicles to storing outdoor equipment such as lawnmowers. Accumulation of dirt, grease, and dust over time due to these rough, everyday uses may cause the garage floor to lose its shine and appear dull.

#3- Exposure to sunlight for long periods

Prolonged exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun can also result in discoloration of the epoxy surface. UV rays don’t fall under the visible spectrum and have a shorter wavelength compared to visible light. However, their frequency is comparatively high, and they carry more energy―enough to break molecular bonds in the pigments of the epoxy surface, giving it a dull appearance.

#4- Not cleaning the right way

Using highly reactive cleaning agents can also cause color degradation in your epoxy garage floor. Such agents often contains highly acidic materials that can react with the epoxy finish and give it a cloudy look. Scrubbing tools, if made of abrasive materials, can also impact the appearance of the epoxy surface.

#5- Moisture issues

This is yet another leading reason why the structural integrity of your epoxy garage floor might get impacted. Excess moisture inside the garage due to improper ventilation may cause the epoxy flooring to lose its shine and peel off. Moisture on the concrete floor, if not eliminated before applying the epoxy, may cause bubbling and give the epoxy coating a blurry appearance.

Restoring the Shine of Epoxy Garage Floor

Step #1- Thoroughly clean the surface. Sweep the floor to get rid of any dirt, dust, and debris. Mop the floor using a mild, pH-neutral cleaning agent. Let the floor dry… Use a clean towel to eliminate any remaining moisture.

Step #2- Consider buffing the floor. It is quite an easy process. All you need is an electrical sander with a soft, fine polishing pad, and you’re good to go… It can help eliminate any wear resulted from daily usage of the floor and restore its shine.

Step #3- Address moisture problems. Moisture trapped in cracks can impact the structural integrity of the flooring and may even cause it to peel off. It may also give the flooring a hazy look. Fill in any visible cracks using an epoxy crack filler.

Step #4- Apply topcoat. Once you have finished cleaning, buffing, and addressing moisture problems, the last thing that you should do is… applying a high-quality topcoat. It can fix any imperfection impacting the floor’s appearance and provide it a glossy finish.

Tips to Avoid Future Cloudiness

Listed below are a few things that you can do to prevent your garage floor from losing its attractiveness.

- Clean the floor regularly and get rid of dirt, debris, oil spills, etc.

- Avoid dragging heavy equipment as it may scratch the surface.

- Use window coverings or UV-blocking films to protect the floor from direct sunlight.

- Control moisture levels in the garage by ensuring proper ventilation.

Concluding Remark

Not preparing the surface properly before applying the epoxy solution can cause the garage floor to lose its shine prematurely. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, improper cleaning techniques, and moisture accumulation are some of the other reasons why an epoxy garage floor may appear hazy. Listed above are a few things that you can do to restore its shine.