If you’ve researched garage floor coatings lately, you’ve probably seen companies promoting “1-day” installations. It sounds appealing—quick, convenient, and seemingly efficient. But what many of these companies fail to mention is that they’re often skipping critical steps, especially when it comes to managing moisture in your concrete.
Skipping moisture mitigation is one of the fastest ways to end up with a failed garage floor coating. And that’s exactly what happens when polyaspartic or polyurea coatings are applied directly to bare concrete without a proper epoxy primer.
Why This Shortcut Fails
Polyaspartics and polyureas cure extremely fast. While that makes them convenient (allowing for “1-day” installs), it also means they don’t have time to deeply penetrate the concrete surface; especially if there is moisture already present. In addition, these quick-cure coatings can only be applied thinly! As moisture wicks up the porous concrete over time, it becomes trapped beneath the primer coat, creating an upward (hydrostatic) pressure. As this pressure builds, the wafer-thin, poorly-penetrating primer coat can give way, leading to bubbling, peeling, or complete delamination.
Leading manufacturers across the industry—Sherwin-Williams (General Polymers), Benjamin Moore (Corotech), Sika, BASF, Stonhard, Euclid Chemical, and Eco-CorFlex—recommend the same procedure: test for moisture and apply a 100% solids moisture vapor barrier epoxy primer before adding any polyaspartic or polyurea topcoat. Even the companies that produce these products, such as ArmorPoxy and VersaFlex, warn that they are topcoats only, not primers.
Backed by Industry Standards
ASTM International, the American Concrete Institute (ACI), and the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) all require moisture testing, proper surface profiling, and the use of an epoxy moisture vapor barrier before coating. ASTM F3010 specifically sets the standard for moisture control beneath resinous flooring.
Ignoring these steps not only increases the risk of failure—it can void warranties altogether. Most 1-day garage floor coating warranties exclude moisture issues or only cover extremely low levels (around 3–4 lbs MVER or 75–80% RH), well below what most concrete slabs actually produce.
The Western Colorado Difference
We’re a 2-day company because quality takes time. Every slab we coat is tested for moisture, every system begins with a true epoxy vapor barrier primer like Eco-CorFlex MME, and every warranty includes moisture coverage. These primers handle up to 100% RH and 20+ lbs MVER, ensuring long-term adhesion even in Colorado’s variable climate.
Cutting corners may save a few hours, but it never saves money in the long run. With Garage Floor Coating Western Colorado, you’ll get a garage floor that performs beautifully for decades, not just the first few seasons.
Don’t Pay the Price for a Fast Job
A fast garage floor coating may look good at first, but skipping the primer guarantees long-term failure. When it comes to protecting your investment, choose expertise over speed.
GarageFloorCoating.com follows industry standards, uses manufacturer-approved systems, and delivers coatings backed by science—not shortcuts. Choose the company that does it right the first time, so your floor looks incredible and stays that way for decades.