UDT Chip Flakes

UDT MP Epoxy, UDT Fast Cure Epoxy, and UDT UltraSpartic are clear or pigmented, high-solids, resinous floor coatings. UDT MP and Fast Cure Epoxies are used as primer coats and body coats where chip and quartz granules are broadcast into them. These epoxies are predominantly finished with the UltraSpartic high-solids urea coatings, but in some cases finished with UDT IMPACT water-based urethane (gloss or matte finish). UDT MP Epoxy, UDT Fast Cure Epoxy, and UDT UltraSpartic are packaged in both 3-gallon and 15-gallon kits. IMPACT is packaged in 1-gallon “Contractor Kits” and 3-gallon “Bulk Kits”.

Concrete must be cured 30 days, structurally sound and free of contaminants including but not limited to waxes, loose paint, dust, dirt, grime, oils, release agents, curing compounds, and any surface laitance (a layer of weak and non-durable material). Concrete should be shot-blasted, or diamond ground to achieve a profile. For coating applications from 4–5 mils in thickness, the surface profile shall be a CSP 3, also known as a light shot blast. For coating applications from 15–50 mils in thickness, the surface profile shall be a CSP 4 or 5, also known as a medium shot blast. All substrates must be properly prepared by trained and experienced contractors or maintenance personnel.

All interior concrete floors not poured over an effective moisture vapor retarder are subject to possible moisture vapor transmission that may lead to blistering and failure of the coating system.  It is the coating applicator’s responsibility to conduct calcium chloride and relative humidity probe testing to determine if excessive levels of vapor emissions are present before applying any coatings. A moisture test should be performed resulting in a maximum MVT rate of 3 pounds per 1000 Sq. Ft. in 24 hours. UDT can supply moisture remediation products and information. Consult your UDT representative for more information. UDT and its representatives or sales agents will not be responsible for coating failures due to undetected moisture vapor emissions.

Patch: Patch uneven surfaces, cracks and expansion joints with UDT Epoxy Patch Kit. See instructions.

Primer: While a primer coat is optional on broadcast systems, UDT recommends a thin primer coat of pigmented Fast Cure Epoxy to minimize bubbles caused from concrete outgassing and ensure optimal adhesion to the concrete surface. Choose a color that matches one of the colors found in the chips. Apply UDT Fast Cure Epoxy in a temperature-controlled environment (40-80°F). Mix according to mixing instructions and reduce with 10% xylene for the primer coat. Immediately pour all mixed contents onto the floor and spread with a flat trowel, flat or 5 mil squeegee within 15 minutes, at a coverage of 250-350 Sq. Ft. per gallon. Back-rolling with a 1/4”-3/8” nap roller is optional if using a flat squeegee, but may pull epoxy out of small holes and pits yielding rougher surface. Always back roll if using a notched squeegee. UDT Fast Cure Epoxy dries in 4 hours. Never exceed the stated recoat window of each product.

Body Coat: Between 4 and 8 hours after the primer coat was applied, proceed to apply the body-coat. For chip-flake systems, UDT recommends using pigmented UDT Fast Cure Epoxy. Wear “spiked” shoes while walking on wet material. Mix only the amount of material that can be applied in 15 minutes or less. Immediately pour product out in a strip on the floor. Spread material with a 10-mil notched squeegee to a coverage of 100-160 Sq. Ft. per gallon (10-16 mils). Back-roll with a 1/4”-3/8” nap roller to achieve an even surface texture. Minimize roller marks by rolling from wall to wall without lifting the roller in the middle of the floor. Allow body coat to cure for 12-24 hours (4-8 hours for Fast Cure). Termination points should be made at doorways, joints, etc. If it is not possible to terminate at these points, 2″ masking tape should be placed in a straight line at the ending point. Carefully spread the material up to and slightly over the inside edge of the tape. Allow material to cure for roughly thirty (30) minutes and then remove the tape. Complete back-rolling within 15 minutes. Mixed material left in the pail longer than 5 minutes will have an accelerated reaction and reduced working time.

Chip Flake Broadcast: Allow the epoxy body coat material to level for 10 minutes before broadcasting chips. Walk onto body coat with spike shoes and broadcast desired chip blend into the wet floor by throwing chips upwards. For full-flake systems, broadcast to refusal (until the surface of the epoxy appears dry). Broadcast additional chips if wet spots to appear and avoid producing high-spots. Do not walk on areas where chips have been broadcast. Approximately 12-15 pounds of chips will be needed for each 100 Sq. Ft. (120-150 pounds per 1000 Sq. Ft) depending on thickness of epoxy and broadcast technique. A one-gallon container full of chips should cover approximately 50 Sq. feet. Allow to cure for 4 to 8 hours. Sweep excess chips with a stiff bristled broom or 12” dull drywall scraper. Vacuum up all excess chips. If surface broadcast appears uneven after the chip cleanup, repeat body coat application and an additional chip broadcast.

Grout Coat Application: UDT recommends an application of UDT MP Epoxy as a “grout coat”. Grout coats bind any loose chips together and fill in all voids around the chips. Wear “spiked” shoes while walking on wet material. Mix only the amount of material that can be applied in 15 minutes or less. Immediately pour product out in a strip on the floor. Spread the epoxy with a flat squeegee and back-roll with a 1/4”-3/8” nap roller to achieve an even surface texture. Minimize roller marks by rolling from wall to wall without lifting the roller in the middle of the floor. Allow body coat to cure for 12-24 hours before applying the top coat. UltraSpartic may be used as a faster drying alternative to UDT MP Epoxy. Follow UltraSpartic mixing and application instructions and allow to dry for 1.5 – 2 hours before applying the top coat. Never exceed the stated recoat window of each product.

Top Coat Application: Apply a top coat of UltraSpartic. Wear “spiked” shoes while walking on wet material. Mix only the amount of material that can be applied in 20 minutes or less. Immediately pour product out in a strip on the floor. Spread UltraSpartic with a 5 or 10 mil squeegee and back-roll with a 3/8” nap roller to achieve an even surface texture. Minimize roller marks by rolling from wall to wall without lifting the roller in the middle of the floor. Allow UltraSpartic to dry for 8 hours for foot traffic and 3 days for vehicle traffic or parking.

IMPACT may be used as a thin-film, water-based alternative to UltraSpartic as a top coat or as a re-coat/maintenance coat in future applications. Refer to IMPACT instructions for preparation, mixing, and application procedures.