Learn How To Prep Concrete Floors Like The Pros For Metallic Epoxy Install | Start To Finish

Ready for a floor remodel? Watch this before your epoxy installation. In this video we are going to show you how to prep your concrete floors prior to installing your epoxy floor kit! Prep like the pros! Tylor will go over the different tools used during the process and then show you how each process is done. From start to finish you will learn how to get your floor ready for a metallic epoxy floor install.
Recap of what you’ll find in this video
Tools used: 0:21
How to Make A Termination Joint: 4:36
Edges: 12:31
Walk Behind Grinder: 16:19
Floor Sander: 18:55
Shot-blaster: 21:05
Cleaning Floor: 34:20
Learn how to fill in saw cuts and cracks to create a seamless floor here: • How To Fill In Saw Cut...
Get your epoxy floor kit here: leggari.com/fl...
Our epoxy can go over existing surfaces like laminate, granite, wood, concrete, tile & so much more as you just saw in this video!
About Us:
Leggari is a coating based channel (metallic epoxy & concrete overlay) that will show you how you can use our products as amazing DIY projects to transform your existing surfaces! You can renovate things like kitchens, bathrooms, basements, patios & more! With Leggari you can renovate in no time, imitating real stone or creating a designer concrete look!
You can watch hundreds of videos that show you the step by step process of resurfacing your existing surfaces!
- Tim Krumland and Tylor Svangren, Leggari Founders
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[@BlacksParson]

Hella smart to make a “root pass” for the material to sit in to prevent delamn. Mad scientist action right there. Nice.

[@st.jermaine6325]

The Leggari team you guys are absolutely the best.

[@LeggariProducts]

We appreciate this so much, thank you!!!

[@markdoumert]

Great video, but a note on dust control. A shop vac isn’t adequate to pull dust from even a small hand grinder. You need either a pre separator or a pulsing filter cleaner. You also need to pull 25 cfm for every inch of wheel size, that means 175 cfm or greater for a 7” wheel. They make high cfm, small shop vac style vacuums with auto thumpers that pulse the filter. A bagger vacuum like you are using is even better since it separates, pulses, and bags the dust which limits your exposure. Rental places that rent grinders will also rent these vacuums, it’s important to get the right one or it will clog up very quickly and release dangerous levels of dust.

[@duanejones3396]

Thank you for taking the time and showing us this. It’s much appreciated!

[@louisianahammer6921]

After all this time you guys finally show people how to prep the floor it’s about time this Video should’ve been first before anything else

[@LeggariProducts]

Everyone who orders our product has been receiving a prep video for years, we’ve just decided to launch it on our KZbin channel publicly. Thanks

[@xscriberx]

I totally agree with you. They posted a diy video suggesting using citric acid and a brush to scrub and prep your garage. I tried this method and was a complete fail absolutely so mechanical bond what so ever. You have to diamond grind or better. If I saw this video I would have never done the citric acid. In fact that should not even be suggested. Still pissed about it.

[@JohnCharville]

@@xscriberx Perhaps you were being told to neutralise the alkalinity of new concrete ????

[@xscriberx]

John Charville leggari suggests if you don’t have a grinder that citric acid and a deck scrub brush is sufficient for a prep. I don’t know what your talking about with alkalinity and concrete.

[@tentimes4]

thank you so much for this. I bought the shroud at HD, put it on my rigid 7" grinder, had to use the spacers to keep the cup from melting the shroud, but then the bristles on the shroud would fold into the grinding surface. That tape skirt is the trick plus comparing how much your 7" removes makes me feel better about my grinder. Again. Thank you

[@c_mac7773]

Omg such a great idea. I’ll never do anything like that again without cutting that edge-groove! I’m so glad I came across this video! Great work gents

[@c_mac7773]

If you feel the need to do that, trust me, just leave them now.

[@madtod9975]

Great video to relook at and/or visually teach as well as communicating clearly and concise- appreciate it!

[@Apexconcretecoatings]

You talked about how you find companies that will do the concrete for your team. What are common websites that you recommend to find subs for concrete prep? Thanks for the content!

[@kakiaamarh8043]

Thank you for this video!

[@rockbottomcycles4526]

Thank you so much for doing this video! Saved me so much time trying to understand what I need

[@donaldsteward9768]

Thank you so much for this video 🙏🏽👍🏽. This is exactly what I was looking for.

[@chechogarcia2576]

Hola, los vemos desde Latinoamérica, seria fantástico que tradujeran a español para algunas personas que no entendemos el Inglés!!! 👌👍

[@galady8632]

You can change your settings and do it yourself. Tap the 3 dots and search.

[@topfloors]

I love watching your videos. We are in constant leaning stage. I have been doing floors for a couple decades, and I am still learning, lol. Nice part about cutting grove into the concrete at the door.

[@LeggariProducts]

It is a constant learning process, especially with products like these! Thanks man and keep up the great work! 🔥🔥

[@topfloors]

@@LeggariProducts thank you.

[@nedalgeorges3969]

Thank you for this video

[@jamesyeager4994]

Great job

[@jstone9462]

These videos are so legit. Thank you

[@LeggariProducts]

Glad you like them!

[@jasons5131]

Well done Gentlemen. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@tedtimmis8135]

Word of warning: make sure you have an industrial grade vacuum meant for dry applications. I just spent the weekend shotblasting using a shopvac and I was dumping shot and the shopvac couldn’t keep up with the dust.

[@ninjip3460]

Appreciate that warning!

[@SuperJpaez]

So what did you do? Did you rent a commercial vacuum or just push through it?

[@tedtimmis8135]

@@SuperJpaez Sun Rental gave me a refund on the shot blaster and I ended up renting a floor grinder. Another important point: With the floor grinder, you need to make sure the grinding plates are for a course finish. You’ll need to have the rental guys check this before you rent the equipment.

[@SaltySeaDawg125]

A pulse vacuum is the type you need. Preferably a self pulse one, the one he has is a manual pulse.

[@joshuagentry4183]

This guy isn’t wrong at all. Do not think your shop vac will keep up. Not even a top of the line craftsmen bought from lowes will keep up. You gotta spend the extra money to rent the vac with the shit blaster. You’ll be in for an extremely dusty job if not.

[@kayhilgenfeld470]

Great video! What did you use to fill the cuts prior to prepping/grinding?

[@lindaclayton8701]

Thanks 👍Hey loving on your black and gray shoes 🤗 nice🙄👍

[@MrCustomConcrete]

Great Tips and it works very well!!

[@truthhurts7529]

Best video on KZbin but where is part 2 where you lay the epoxy? 😊

[@lionintu]

Contact leggari

[@k92text]

Your videos awesome 100%

[@MrCustomConcrete]

agree

[@33230fabrice]

Thank you for this video it's very useful👍

[@kennethamend8557]

Man...I was smiling when I saw you were able to just sweep up the beads and reuse them.

[@LeggariProducts]

🔥🔥

[@brandon4514]

Best tip... If you are using a shot bead blaster, put a duct tape line (two layers on top of each other is imperative) down and the blaster will not penetrate through your tape. Perfeftly straight line!

[@lionintu]

Thanks

[@randymartin6965]

What’s a shot bead blaster?

[@naptimecreations]

Awesome, thanks for sharing the pro tips I am going to try to do my garage floor one of these days after we get moved and settled in 😁

[@MrCustomConcrete]

you'll love it!

[@georgiapatriot4575]

the shot blaster is cool, but good luck finding one. Here in north Atlanta, they don't rent them and if they did, they'd be over $500 per day

[@Obababoy]

Shot blast rental is $315 a day for me where I live vs $180 for the EDCO Concrete Grinder 10"

[@brandon4514]

We normally use a diamond cup wheel on the 4inch.. And just key it in,it takes longer and more dust, but man it makes that edge that much stronger

[@lionintu]

Key it in? What's that? 8s that what he was doing in the video, kinda leaning it forward?

[@specfever2]

My local Sunbelt rents out that very shot blaster for FIVE HUNDRED per day, 500/d, 1000/wk, 2000/mo. The same rates as a mini-excavator! I get it, kind of. Both save you a lot of time.

[@ctreatman]

Is there video that follows this one. you mention showing us the next step at 40:27 but Im having a hard time finding a follow up video... unless all of your installation videos are a follow up to this one! Thanks for so much detail on this and the patching video!

[@universalwraps8071]

Hey I polish concrete for a living and we would never use a small grinder like the one you used, they’re pretty much useless in big jobs, I would recommend getting a big 30 in propane grinder and it’s just cuts down time by 100 times faster and cuts the concrete 100 times better too

[@MacalusoWoodworking4777]

This is for diy dude, most people don't and won't wana spend money on big equipment. I'm sure for commercial jobs it does work better. But this is for home owners that wana do it themselves, I work in propane also and it's to expensive for a home owner to rent or buy equipment that requires propane. Come on dude

[@katherineakuaakoto-bamford6413]

So put up your own video. This is his DIY version, Mr Big shot

[@juniorbarajas9672]

Nobody got racks to drop on a reaper be real

[@Marc-nz1dd]

Great video. I work on parking garages and sub out our shot blasting. I had no idea they made small shot blasters. Great information. Thank you.

[@hassanpatwary2884]

Yooo im starting as well. Would you mind give me some tips. Help a brother out

[@kennethkennedy7173]

Shot blast is the way to go. I have wood used for control joints in my garage floor about one in a half inches wide, will that be a problem? Should I remove the wood and replace with concrete before attempting to start this project? Love the videos and the product guys. Keep the videos coming. 👍🏻

[@TheClassicpitts]

What about old garages that have been painted? Do you still go straight to the blaster? Also what about large putted areas? Fill them or will epoxy self level in those areas?

[@trailjockeytj6160]

You should differentiate the difference between the grind profile and the shot blast profile. You really skim over that. The profile of a shot last will give you a tooth, or a much more jagged edge to bond to meaning more surface area. Meaning more sticky. Well grind depending on. The grid used will not give you anywhere close to the profile of a shot blast. The other thing that is mentioned, but not defined removing the cream opens up the capillaries of the concrete to get penetration and better bond. Good video all in all but I think the shot blast for coatings is the way to go. Although you’d be there for a long time with that little 8 inch machine you were showing you really need a more powerful 220 V or even 443 phase to get that shot last done quickly.

[@LeggariProducts]

Thanks for your feedback and for watching!

[@plee7296]

great video

[@trailjockeytj6160]

Also, that machine you are using, the shot blaster, is an edger as well. You can take the magnet off of one side to get within about a quarter to a half inch of the wall, no grinding necessary and shot glass prep all the way to the edge. I used to sell those years ago hasn’t changed much. But they are very underpowered compared to something. That’s 220 V.

[@LeggariProducts]

Thanks for watching and for your feedback!

[@Woogithandler]

You can get the epoch buffer with dust control for your diamabrush

[@BrettKennedy-n5l]

What is the power source you are using? Homeowners or a generator?

[@DonWon4725]

To those looking to under take this kind project please remember to use the proper personal protective equipment because doing this kind of work does pose associated health risks. Cement contains silica which typically effects lungs,

[@Louaye12784]

Great video…quick question. I see the reason for the cut behind the garage door when the concrete runs flat to the outside. But on my floor, my garage raises up 1 inch after the garage door ( on the inside). Where do I stop the epoxy coating? Should I run it down the inch drop? Will the edge on the rise take the abuse of a car wheel running over it? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks again for making these.

[@k92text]

I'm also work epoxy middle-easte (KSA)

[@andregeseron1872]

Great video. Thank you for all the information. Need a guard on that grinder though. I cringed the whole time you were using it.

[@LeggariProducts]

Yes we agree, won't be doing that again!!! Thank you!

[@XingyiMachineGlobal]

nice work

[@LeggariProducts]

Thanks

[@bubthegreat1]

Do you guys use a grinder for spalling concrete?

[@germandavidov8654]

great video. But how do you power supply all this powerful machines. I did not see any generators. Thank you

[@patrickland5588]

Do you have to grind new concrete floor?

[@gaal1980]

Looking for the next video on this garage getting the epoxy? I can find others, but not this one with all the details covered in depth. Link, or title, plz?

[@TheDisBeat]

Do you have a best tip to remove paint from a basement floor? I would like to remove and reapply something more industrial as previous home owner I think just used cheap stuff. Thanks!

[@timholtmeier8146]

What do you recommend for a brand new concrete garage floor 48x30 no sealers?

[@benoitlaforest6198]

Hi, with the shopblaster, can I just plug it in my 8gal Shopvac with hepa filter and bag?

[@King-zm3xy]

Safety first))) grinder without a protective shell ))

[@DanielWorth]

handle and guard would be the right way to go.

[@trailjockeytj6160]

Also, you don’t run that machine backwards notice how it’s leaving all that shot. If you just go forward with it it won’t leave the shot on the floor that you have to end up picking up. Did anyone train you on that machine?

[@LeggariProducts]

💯💯

[@chris__bot]

Which type of blade did you use on that had held grinder? how many segments.

[@adamwilkins67]

Would it be safe to run epoxy right out to your expansion joint instead of running a termination cut?

[@LeggariProducts]

Hello! This would be dependent on your project. Feel free to reach out to our team regarding your project and our products 👉 support.leggari.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

[@relaxingmeditation8740]

Do you have a video for how to diamond grind a tile floor?

[@ladyhueycrewchief2469]

We are building a new home and would like to epoxy. Do we need to do all the prep for a brand new garage floor.

[@pablobeast1]

Is this the same process with new construction?

[@andrewross5978]

So for this 750 sqft project, what grit is your steel shot media, and how many pounds of it did you need (assuming re-use ~3 times)?

[@lionintu]

Did you get an answer to your question ? I contacted sunbelt in my area for my 700sq ft job and they recommended I buy 2 bags of SS-390 Steel Shot 50# Bag 390 Grit.

[@lionintu]

Also you can return the 2nd bag if unused

[@brandonavellano1836]

Problem i had is that the floor i applied the epoxy was full of small pocket holes, etc... This floor in tue video is really flat and easy to work with. Do you have any videos which show epoxy prep, for example to a previously brushed concrete floor garage?

[@thebrassring5203]

Did u put primer down first

[@brandonavellano1836]

@@thebrassring5203 Yes i Did

[@sukunaspimp]

@@brandonavellano1836 fill the holes takes times but the same basis as painting just fill the holes grind em down depending on the holes maybe do a skim coat

[@MN_ICE_FISHING]

Why do you use a hand grinder for the stress lines?

[@scottbrantley3866]

How are you filling the floor/wall joint?

[@randymartin6965]

Is that blue Clarke machine mandatory or can we just mop it?

[@LeggariProducts]

We recommend doing whatever your can to create the cleanest floor profile possible for the best bond to the products you install. If you have the means to do the cleaning machine, that's great. If you can grind, sweep, and mop it so that there isn't any dust or debris left over, great! You can view our epoxy floor kits here! 👉 leggari.com/order-flooring/

[@bmodllc]

If someone need the shot blaster the one he using you can rent it out at sunbelt rentals

[@MrCustomConcrete]

yeah I have used a shot blaster before and really like it, I have my own Grinder, but that shot blaster gives a better profile

[@Venomthegr8]

Safety 1st.... PPE awareness is vital when cutting concrete...protect vital organs & arteries

[@lindabissen8764]

How heavy is the shop blaster? Can I use this on a bare concrete slab on outside of house that will be used as a "patio"? Not very smooth. Need to smooth out the slab as the concrete pourer did a P___ Poor job of leveling/smoothing the slab. Since I would not be using epoxy could I use power washer when finished? Or is this equipment not the right one to smooth out bare concrete?

[@benitochua7326]

What are my manual options if I can't rent a scrubber?

[@fantasylive1102]

Can you guys explain what you do for grinding the corners..? I am about to install kit 13 but I can't find any specific instruction or tips on the best way to get into the corner. Not the edges but the corners.

[@Rainman270]

How deep should the channel near the front be be ? Thanks.

[@thegeneral750]

so i want to make sure i understand correctly before i attempt prepping my basement floor for a metallic epoxy.. do i need to do all of the following?- walk behind grinder + floor sander + shot blaster? i feel like just doing the shot blaster would suffice but perhaps i am showing my inexperience here? I don’t want to cut corners so if all need done, that’s fine. i just want to be sure i’m not doing unnecessary repetitive work. Thanks!

[@superwcampbell]

You only need a shot blaster, and an angle grinder with a cup wheel in order to prep the edges

[@LLCLeon]

Yes shot blaster would do the trick as he did mention it was there favorite to use.. he was simply just showing us all the other available options as opposed to the shot blaster but for edges you will need the angle grinder

[@edwinrodas4534]

What about a new concrete garage which do you think it’s the best three car garage

[@reidhiggins2772]

Great video. Will the shopblaster remove carpet glue and old paint?

[@joshuawoolridge8378]

If it's thin, usually under 8-10mil, problem with some glues or other coatings is that they are elastic, which takes the energy out of the shot. We usually recommend grinding for removal and shot blast whatever is remaining

[@brianwrxman]

What did you put in the control joints?

[@04brgMINI]

If you are having new concrete poured an plan to epoxy coat it, what finish should you ask the concrete contractors to provide? Thanks

[@justoodamnice123]

ever get an answer or response?

[@04brgMINI]

@@justoodamnice123 sure didn't. And at this point it doesn't matter because I've coated my floor

[@Oreonis]

I've got this closet that I ripped carpet out of and is now bare concrete. Would prep be similiar in a small indoor space with concrete that's had carpet glued down to it?

[@Atlantianreborn]

Is epoxy ok on concrete that has underfloor heating tubes. What would happen over time when exposed to heat from underneath?

[@richardidurane7928]

Do the diamond grinders come in different grits, if so which one do.you guys use? Also for the sander what grit do you use for the big sander?

[@MrCustomConcrete]

the diamond tooling does come in different grit, depends on what you need to grind, some concrete is softer some harder....garage and basement floors in my opinion are the hardest most dense floors, but that shot blaster takes it right off with a great profile

[@JohnCharville]

@@MrCustomConcrete PPC Concrete is hard, and it is often used in the above circumstances

[@Tiecongli]

What kind of bag are you talking about to reduce clogging in rigid vac? I use the angle grinder but the vac is just don't have enough suction power.

[@LeggariProducts]

Bags that go into the vacuum. Keep the filter on also but it will never clog if you have the bag in there also.

[@rogersullivanrealestate2851]

So I am looking to do this to a brand new house. What kind of prep do I need to do to a brand new garage pad?

[@idahoduckhunter]

Thought that was your voice with the lips moving in the first 5 seconds and had lots of questions :)

[@johndavies301]

If you are doing a basement floor and you can’t get the floor cleaner down the stairs and the pressure washer is out of the question what’s the alternative. Just mop the whole floor or something else. Let me know. Thanks John

[@LeggariProducts]

Yes, just do the best you can vacuuming and mopping!

[@paparomano3390]

it was tuff watching them prep the floor. only good piece they had was the Vac.

[@favianperez5641]

What temperature is good to pour Epoxy

[@21shoey21]

Awesome video. Do you think a floor sander with a heavy grit pad by 3m would be enough to prep the concrete?

[@LeggariProducts]

No it would either have to be diamond ground, or shot blasted!

[@53roger]

Great video, information and tips...appreciate it very much and hope to be able to do my floor this summer. My 36x30 (1080 sf) garage floor has 3- 6"x48" floor drains mid floor. The floor drains are 2" below the outside walls. Will this present a problem with the epoxy wanting to slowly flow towards the floor drains before it sets up? When I power wash, the water will slowly run towards the drains. Thank you

[@anthonyvallario7561]

Are you grinding it to level it or are you grinding it to get the top layer off? Is there a way to clean the top layer for a bond without grinding it

[@LeggariProducts]

To get the top cream layer off so the coating has something solid to bond to.

[@joshr19821]

Curious, I have a new pad to my new garage bc I built a bigger one, but have a old 30 plus year old pad that I want to cover too. So what would you recommend to use on both of them? Was going to use a walk behind diamond grinder. Will that be okay and do a affective job on both pads? As well I have a few low and high points in it that I was going to try and level out, so how can one do that? Bc it seems if to do that we can’t grind the floor for prep in those areas.

[@Bane85318]

Can the cuts be done throughout the concrete or are they just for the edges?

[@MfknIce]

What if is on 2nd or 3rd flor apartment and there is no elevator? This equipment is to heavy to take it up the stairs

[@kevlar1970]

Is it either/or for the grinder and shot blaster? Or do you use the shot blaster after the grinder?

[@LeggariProducts]

Yes, either will work you would not need to do both! We recommend using a shot blaster over the grinder, because you get a better profile!

[@peytoncox5623]

what brand is that 7 inch diamond cup wheel?

[@gabrielfahling7779]

Could you use just a pressure washer or mop instead of the floor scrubber like the one in the video, if you don't have access to a floor scrubber (or don't want to pay money to rent one)?

[@LeggariProducts]

If you do not have access to a floor scrubber, use whatever you can that will get your substrate the cleanest it can possibly be. As you can see in the video, a mop is used where the scrubber cannot reach. This simply means it might take more than one time to completely clean the floor with a mop or pressure washer and more time will be needed for the floor to dry.

[@EscoOnDemand]

I noticed that you filled the control joints. May I ask how you did it and what you used to fill them? Thanks in advance for your reply.

[@Anthony-bz2xs]

rustoleum sells a crack repair, it works good.

[@keishabaskin2174]

Laggard has their own joint filler they sell. There is also a video of them using it.

[@lionintu]

So if Im doing an interior of a home and use the Shotblaster with vacuum and also follow-up with the auto scrubber, can I paint all the walls beforehand with out worries of them getting too dusty?

[@lionintu]

Can I specifically Paint both coats beforehand?

[@savannalyle7772]

What do you do if the concrete floor for a shop keeps having dust on it after scrubbing and mopping and blowing

[@galady8632]

Sounds like it hasn't been sealed.

[@vijaykumar.k9831]

Hello sir

[@lionintu]

What size is this auto scrubber here? I believe the sizes are 20" lowest. For a 700sq ft unit is 20" fine?

[@microcementlacalamijasspai8269]

Is that makita variable speed