What Happens If You Skip Floor Prep Before Coating?
- originaldonjacinto
- Oct 28
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
When it comes to epoxy & polyaspartic floor coatings, the prep is everything. You can have the best coating materials on the planet, but if the floor underneath isn’t properly prepared, your investment won’t last.
At Gorilla Tuff Coatings, we’ve seen everything, from peeling DIY jobs to “budget” installs that didn’t make it through the first winter. Let’s break down what really happens when prep gets skipped (and how we make sure your floor never fails).
1. Poor Adhesion Means Peeling and Bubbling
Concrete looks solid, but it’s full of microscopic dust, oils, and moisture. If that surface isn’t diamond-ground or at the very least shot-blasted, the coating can’t bond properly. The result? Bubbles, peeling, and hot tire pickup, especially when temps drop and the concrete contracts.
2. Trapped Moisture Creates Hidden Problems
Believe it or not Concrete naturally “breathes.” If the surface isn’t tested for moisture before coating, vapor pressure can push up from underneath, lifting the coating off the slab like a blister. Skipping moisture testing or vapor barrier application is a rookie move that can ruin a floor fast.
3. Cracks and Pitting Get Worse Over Time
When cracks, divots, or uneven spots aren’t repaired before coating, those flaws don’t disappear, they just get sealed in. Over time, they expand under stress or moisture, causing delamination and ugly lines through your new floor.
4. Your Floor Won’t Last as Long as It Should
A professionally prepped floor should last 10–20 years or more. But with poor prep, even premium coatings can fail within months. That’s why we spend most of our time prepping, grinding, repairing, and cleaning, not just rolling product on.
5. You’ll Pay More in the Long Run
Fixing a failed coating costs more than doing it right the first time. Between stripping, regrinding, and recoating, a “cheap” job can easily double in cost when it fails early.
We’ve built Gorilla Tuff Coatings on doing things the right way from the start, because real value comes from durability, not shortcuts.
Final thoughts:
✅ Diamond grinding or shot blasting for mechanical adhesion
✅ Moisture and porosity testing before coating
✅ Crack and pitting repairs done professionally
✅ Premium polyaspartic top coats for maximum protection
When we prep your floor, we’re not just coating concrete, we’re creating a bonded surface built to last years, even through harsh Hudson Valley NY winters.
Thinking About a Floor Coating? Hit the button below!
If you’ve been considering a garage, basement, or patio coating, make sure it’s done right from the start. Call Gorilla Tuff Coatings today or book your free consultation online, let’s make your floor Gorilla Tuff.
