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Why Epoxy Floors Turn Yellow and How to Prevent It
Take control of your floor's fate!
Epoxy floors are immensely popular in both commercial and industrial settings due to their remarkable strength and beauty. Epoxy is built tough; designed to handle the hardest challenges! However, one common issue that epoxy floor owners encounter is their epoxy resin yellowing . But not only is yellowing epoxy not a death sentence for your floors, it's also easily preventable!
This article, brought to you by our veteran team of contractors here at Xtreme Polishing Systems , will help you learn the best ways to identify, treat, and most importantly prevent epoxy yellowing !
Why Does Epoxy Resin Turn Yellow?
Epoxy floors are a popular pick for renovations because of its ability to withstand harsh conditions and because it'll keep a glossy finish . From clear coats to metallic designs, epoxy floors seamlessly blend strength with aesthetics. Nonetheless, epoxy floor yellowing can occur over time, typically for the following reasons:
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UV Exposure : Epoxy floors left exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation are particularly susceptible to yellowing. Even ambient UV exposure can gradually alter the epoxy's appearance. Some resins are designed specifically to combat this natural degradation, though.
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Improper Sealing : Inadequate sealing of epoxy floors significantly reduces their resistance to UV damage . Proper sealing is essential to protect the epoxy's color and finish. This applies no matter what resin you're using!
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Resin Selection : Choosing the wrong type of resin for the intended space can lead to yellowing . For outdoor or unshaded areas, opting for a UV-resistant resin , such as polyaspartic , is a wise choice.
So what does epoxy resin yellowing look like? Well, it's self-explanatory; it'll look as if your clear epoxy layers have become cloudy, usually yellowed, over time. It should be more obvious & more prominent in epoxy that's outside, or generally more exposed to UV.
A simple way to see if your yellowed epoxy is UV-damaged or simply dirty is to clean it! Just a mild cleanser and warm water is enough to clean epoxy surfaces. While there is no way to reverse UV-exposure in epoxy resin, you can massively aid in its prevention before you install epoxy!
Prevent Epoxy Resin Yellowing
Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to prevent epoxy floor yellowing and maintain the floor's pristine appearance:
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UV-Resistant Epoxy Resin : Some resins, namely polyaspartic, are designed specifically to help combat UV-exposure . Many reputable companies offer UV-stable resins that provide the same level of durability as traditional epoxy. Consider options like XPS's UV-stable polyaspartic topcoat solution for a solution that won't sacrifice strength.
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Proper Sealing : Don't be lazy with your coats! Any imperfections are the perfect place for UV exposure to sneak into. While yellowing may be inevitable without UV-stable resin , proper sealing can significantly delay this effect. Even if you use traditional epoxy for every other layer, try installing polyaspartic/polyurethane for your sealing topcoat!
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Reducing UV Exposure : Limit your floor's exposure to UV radiation as much as is reasonable. While ambient UV exposure will still cause gradual yellowing, you can extend the floor's pristine appearance by providing shade within your space. If you have a patio space, consider a shaded canopy!
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Alternative Epoxy Styles : Consider epoxy styles that are less prone to showing yellowing. For instance, opt for a quartz-style finish rather than a clear coat flake finish for your epoxy pool deck . The coloring and silica sand broadcast in quartz styles are very effective at concealing any yellowing.
Conclusion
Maintaining the clarity and beauty of your epoxy floors is essential. Especially long-term! While epoxy floors may gradually develop a yellowish tint, you can fight back ! Choose a UV-resistant epoxy resin , take care during sealing , r educe UV exposure , or opt for alternative epoxy styles that look good while hiding yellowing. With this advice, you can extend the lifespan of your stunning floors!
Contractors who have questions about installing UV-resistant resin, don't hesitate to contact our team of specialists or follow our blog here at Xtreme Polishing Systems! Our online store offers a wide range of UV-stable resin solutions, tailored to your budget.
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