Are 1-Day Coatings Really Stronger Than Garage Floor Epoxy? Here’s the Truth

If you live in Grand Junction or anywhere across Western Colorado, you’ve probably heard this bold claim from 1-day coating companies: “Our coatings are 4 to 20 times stronger than epoxy!”. But stronger than what, exactly? The truth is, these companies are comparing themselves to thin, water-based DIY kits—not to professional garage floor epoxy systems like ours at Garage Floor Coating Western Colorado.

Let’s break down three myths behind the hype.

Myth #1: “Stronger” Means Superior Durability

When companies boast about being “stronger,” they rarely explain what they mean. One lab measurement—like Shore D hardness—doesn’t define how a floor holds up over time.

Real-world durability is about more than a single value. Our garage floor epoxy system is designed to excel in:

• Adhesion strength, so it stays bonded to your concrete
• Moisture mitigation, to prevent bubbling, blistering, or delamination
• System thickness, to absorb wear and impact
• UV and chemical resistance, which are vital in Colorado’s changing climate

GFC’s multi-layer system is built for performance, not just numbers.

Myth #2: Their Product Replaces Professional Garage Floor Epoxy

The truth is, their comparisons aren’t even about real epoxy systems. They’re using fast-curing polyurea or polyaspartic applied straight to concrete, and comparing it to entry-level DIY epoxy products.

At Garage Floor Coating Western Colorado, we install a full, industrial-grade system:

• A 100%-solids epoxy primer that seals the concrete and complies with ASTM F3010 standards for moisture mitigation
• A full-flake broadcast for durability and finish
• Two coats of polyaspartic topcoat that deliver UV and chemical resistance

Their approach?

• A thin layer of polyurea or polyaspartic applied direct-to-slab
• One clear topcoat, often less than 100%-solids
• No moisture mitigation layer

Even if moisture testing is performed, without mitigation, the floor remains vulnerable.

Myth #3: One-Day Systems Offer the Same Protection

1-day coating systems are fast—but that speed comes at a cost. To finish in a day, these companies typically:

• Apply only one topcoat (less chemical and UV protection)
• Skip essential steps like full flake embedment or buffing
• Forego the use of a moisture-mitigating epoxy primer

That’s why we install systems that take a little longer but offer a lot more—like our lifetime warranty against moisture-related coating failure. They don’t offer this because they can’t.