Polyaspartic and polyurea coatings have become a highly popular chemistry in the concrete coatings industry. They possess some very desirable properties, such as good chemical resistance, good abrasion resistance, excellent aesthetics, and they cure rapidly. However, there is one big challenge: some of the faster curing formulas have a short pot life.  This can make installation tricky, so I’m providing you with tips and knowledge to help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your next project is a success.

Know your solids

Polyaspartics and polyureas come in a wide range of solids contents from 100% to around 70% solids. As a rule of thumb, the lower the solids the longer the pot life will be. This does not necessarily mean the coating will cure slower. It means the coating with more solvent in it has a lower initial viscosity. That lower viscosity means the coating will take longer to get to an unusable viscosity because it has more ground to cover.

Moisture is a catalyst

Water makes this coating cure faster. Out in the field the largest source of water is humidity. So keep in mind the higher the humidity, the faster the coating will cure. I have seen this quirk catch many contractors off guard. Let’s say you have installed the coating 10 times at an average RH of 50% with no problems, and the next floor you do the RH is 80%. You have an entirely different animal, and if you’re not prepared for the change, you can get into trouble.

Mix often and install it quick

You would think that this would be common sense, but I feel it bears repeating. With any product, it is better to mix more often and always have fresh material to put down. But when you are working with a product that cures as fast as these, I suggest you only mix what you can put down in 10 minutes. It is important to get the material rolled out and leave it alone. This will help you avoid roller lines. If you are broadcasting color chips or quartz, it must be done immediately. This means the mechanic rolling and the mechanic broadcasting need to work close to each other, usually 2-3 feet apart.