When DIY Doesn’t Cut It: The Real Cost of Low-Quality Epoxy Floor Coatings

A DIY Project That Didn’t Survive the Seasons

Imagine a homeowner in Grand Junction trying to refresh their garage floor with a DIY epoxy floor coating kit. The label promises durability, so they sweep the floor, roll on the product, and admire the new look.

But after a few freeze-thaw cycles, that shiny surface starts to flake. Snowmelt seeps beneath the coating. Hot-tire marks appear. Cracks that were never addressed start to show through. By the end of the year, it’s clear: the coating didn’t hold up.

Why DIY Epoxy Floor Coatings Aren’t Made for Colorado Conditions

The elevation and climate extremes in Western Colorado are tough on concrete. Unfortunately, DIY epoxy kits aren’t built to handle those stresses.

Here’s where they fail:

• Water-based and solvent-based formulas are thin and prone to delamination
• Minimal surface prep means poor adhesion and peeling
• No real strategy for moisture mitigation, which is crucial in seasonal environments

At Garage Floor Coating Western Colorado, we use a high-build, slow-curing, 100%-solids moisture-mitigating epoxy for the base coat—no evaporation, no shrinkage, and full bonding strength, even in harsh conditions.

How GFC’s 2-Day Process Prevents Failure

Every successful epoxy floor coating starts with proper prep. That’s where DIY efforts fall short—and where GFC excels.

Our local Grand Junction crew performs:

• Diamond grinding to expose fresh concrete for maximum adhesion
• Structural repairs to ensure a smooth, stable surface
• Moisture assessments to address any moisture-vapor transmission risks

We employ our 2-day process:

• Day 1: Industrial prep and application of our 100%-solids moisture-mitigating epoxy base coat
• Day 1: Broadcast of the customer-selected flake blend into the base coat
• Day 2: Two 100%-solids polyaspartic topcoats that seal and protect the surface