How To Keep Epoxy Floors Shiny [4 Methods To Consider]

Epoxy floors are known for their high durability and glossy appearance. This makes them particularly popular in garages, recreational basements, and other rooms where resilience is needed. But how do you keep epoxy floors shiny? We have done a bit of research on these floors, and in this post, we will answer this question.

Here are four ways that you can keep your epoxy floors shiny:

Apply floor wax
Minimize floor damage
Clean the floors regularly
Remove large stains immediately

Just like any other type of flooring, epoxy floors may eventually lose their shine at some point. However, it doesn't mean that you can't restore them to make them look brand new. Continue reading to learn more about a few ways to keep them looking their best.

4 Methods To Keep Epoxy Floors Shiny

1. Apply floor wax

Unfortunately, even the best epoxy floors can lose their shine even with regular maintenance. You may need to wax the floors to restore the shine to your epoxy flooring at some point. The flooring wax acts as a protective layer and helps to keep the epoxy floors resilient in high-traffic areas.

The best places to apply wax are near the entrances and doors, as these are usually the quickest areas to get dirty. A second coat of epoxy can be applied to epoxy floors as an alternative to wax.

This will further improve the flooring's durability and shine ahead of time. Also, be sure to lightly sand any epoxy before applying another coat.

2. Minimize floor damage

Protecting your epoxy floors from damage can also help to keep them shiny. Remember that epoxy flooring material is made with layers of resins and hardeners.

The cured material is extremely resistant to degradation because it forms a strong adhesive bond to concrete and other base materials on the floor.

However, regular damage to the floor can cause the epoxy to lose its shine over time. There are several precautionary steps that can be taken to reduce the chance of epoxy becoming damaged.

For example, you can add protective pads on your garage floor to prevent the floor from becoming damaged from tire marks. You can also place area rugs in high traffic areas or places that are prone to damage from dropped equipment or heavy machine usage.

Without adequate protection, even the most resilient epoxy floor can wear out quickly, which is why you'll often notice that entrance areas and hallways tend to dull first.

3. Clean the floors regularly

Epoxy flooring should be cleaned regularly in order to increase its aesthetic appeal. Often, epoxy floors will become dusty or dirty, which can affect the way they look. Over time, it can become harder to remove this dull layer, and restoration may be needed.

Caution should be taken when cleaning epoxy floors, as some cleaners and solutions contain harsh chemicals, which can also cause epoxy floors to become dull.

Only use water and mild epoxy-friendly cleaners to maintain the shine of your epoxy floors. Sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping your floors regularly (such as weekly or bi-weekly) is a great way to get rid of dust and other debris.

Epoxy floors should get a deep cleaning once a year to prevent fogging. You can use a squeegee mop and mild epoxy cleaner to wipe the flooring down for this task.

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If you have tough stains to remove, you can also use a mild solution of diluted ammonia (use this with caution). If your epoxy floors have heavy foot traffic all year round, you may want to do a deep cleaning about every six to eight months.

4. Immediately remove large stains

Note that the longer you let stains sit on your epoxy floors, the more difficult they'll become to remove. This is why it's imperative to stay on top of large stains and remove them as soon as possible. Over time, these stains will become more stubborn and may require more abrasive solutions for treatment.

Common treatments to use include diluted ammonia or bleach. It's best not to scrub your epoxy floors using wool pads or other abrasive materials, as it can cause the surface to scratch, exacerbating the dull appearance. Instead, use soft bristle brushes, such as toothbrushes, for small stains and larger utility soft scrubbers for bigger stains.

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Do epoxy floors stay shiny on their own?

Epoxy flooring won't stay shiny forever without continued maintenance. This involves removing stains immediately to prevent them from settling into the surface of the floor and sweeping and mopping regularly.

How do you refresh an epoxy floor?

You can refresh an epoxy floor a few different ways. You can apply a coat of wax to the floor to help restore its shine or apply an additional coat of epoxy to the floor.

Lastly, you can perform a deep cleaning on the floor to get rid of embedded dirt and stains and restore the shine back to the floors. If you notice that your epoxy floors are becoming cloudy or dull, a re-coating may be the best option—especially if the epoxy flooring is a few years old.

Can you buff and wax epoxy floors?

Yes. If you notice that your epoxy floor has become dull, you can use floor wax to restore shine. You can use an industrial floor buffer or buff the floor by hand using a buffing cloth. To perform this task, apply a small amount of wax to the polishing cloth (or buffer cloth).

Next, go over the floor, rubbing the solution into the floor in small circles. Work your way from left to right, making sure to let the solution sit on the floor for about 5 to 10 minutes before going back over the floor with a clean, dry buffer to remove the wax.

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Can you sand epoxy and re-coat?

Yes, but you should proceed with caution before doing so. Epoxy floors can be sanded using a wet or dry sanding method. However, wet sanding will be the best choice in most cases as it's usually safer.

Dry sanding can create a ton of heat due to the friction between the floor and the sander. Remember that epoxy is made of resin that can only heat up to a certain temperature.

During over-heating, the resin becomes too hard and may loosen, creating an unsightly matte finish. This defeats the purpose of the re-coat. Here's how you can sand your epoxy surfaces and re-coat them for the best shine:

Steps to Wet Sand Epoxy

Clean the surface thoroughly. This includes removing any dust and debris using a broom, dust cloths, vacuum, or mop.
Pour cool water into a 2-gallon bucket or small bowl. This water will be used constantly, so make sure that it's readily available for the project. You can also add water to a plastic spray bottle.
Spray the water on the epoxy surface to slightly dampen it.
Use a sanding block or orbital sander to go over the surface. Note that you will need to re-apply the water to prevent the epoxy surface from becoming too dry during this process. This means that you will have to pay extra close attention to the area as you're sanding it. It's best to go with a rougher 120-grit surface, then work your way up to something lighter such as 230 or 320-grit for finishing.
Clean the surface after sanding it down and let it dry before preparing and applying a coat of epoxy.
Apply a coat of epoxy and let it cure as recommended by the manufacturer.

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How do you remove scuff marks from epoxy floors?

You can use dish soap or furniture polish to remove scuff marks from epoxy floors. It's best to also use a soft bristle brush to help work the cleaning solution into the stain.

Use a scrubber brush or a disposable toothbrush to lightly abrade the surface with the cleaner until the scuff marks fade. You can also use a citrus-based cleaner to remove scuff marks.

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Wrapping things up

Epoxy is a long-lasting, durable, and highly resistant material. Its versatility and low maintenance requirements make it perfect for recreational and high-traffic areas. However, it's best to maintain epoxy floors to prevent them from becoming dull over time.

If you notice your epoxy floor starting to lose its shine, try applying a new coat of epoxy, waxing the floor, or giving it a good deep cleaning to help restore it to its original luster.

Before you go, be sure to check out some of our other posts:

How To Put Carpet Over Laminate Flooring

Can You Use Carpet Underlay For Wooden Flooring Or Laminate?