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INSTRUCTIONS

READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE MIXING AND APPLYING

Note: ArmorClad should be applied between 50-90 def F and when relative humidity is 80% or less. If cooler, add portable heaters to area to keep air temperatures higher. It should be stored in a dry area at temperatures between 60-95 deg F. Material must be above 60 deg F for installation. Install only in areas with proper ventilation. Wear safety glasses, protective clothing and rubber gloves for the duration of preparation and application of ArmorClad.

Floors with high moisture levels (damp) must be either pre-treated or covered with special coatings. To test for moisture use our convenient Moisture Test Kit (see website/Buy Now Link to order or call), or tape down a sheet of 4’ x 4’ clear plastic sheeting on all four sides with duct tape. Wait 24 hours. If moisture builds up under the plastic, or if the floor is noticeably darker/damp, the next step would be to use the Moisture Test Kit to determine the actual level of moisture coming up through the floor, then contact our office to purchase one of our moisture-blocking epoxies or primers.

BEFORE YOU START: Not included in the kit you need to supply the following: Roller frame and extension pole.

NOTE: ARMORCLAD ETCH IS A MILD, BUFFERED ACID. ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR, RUBBER
GLOVES AND KEEP SKIN COVERED.

Surface Prep - THE MOST CRITICAL STEP to assure the performance of the ArmorClad system is to apply the product
to a clean, well-prepared surface. The surface must be free of debris, dirt, oil, curing compounds, sealers and loose paint.
Even new concrete must be cleaned to remove dirt, dust, and salts that form as the concrete cures. DO NOT SKIP THE
PREP STEP OR A FAILURE COULD OCCUR.

Step One - Remove foreign substances. Scrape off any surface debris such as putty, paint or oil dirt so that the surface is
smooth and even. Use running water or a pressure washer to flush the entire area to remove any loose dirt and debris
from the surface.

Step Two - Clean and degrease. Add the ArmorClad Etch to two gallons of hot water in a pail and mix. Spread the
solution over the area to be coated with the aid of a broom or mop and allow it to soak in for 10-15 minutes. You may
notice some slight foaming which is normal.

While the solution is soaking, scrub the floor with a bristle-type broom or scrub brush on a stick. Rinse well the entire
surface with plenty of fresh, clean water to remove all of the spent solution and to remove emulsified oils and grease and
any loose dirt or debris.

HINT: WET DOWN YOUR DRIVEWAY OR PLANTINGS WITH A HOSE FIRST BEFORE RINSING OUT THE ETCH
SOLUTION. THIS HELPS TO PROTECT ANY MINOR ETCHING FROM OCCURING TO AN AREA THAT YOU DON’T
WANT IT TO OCCUR.

HINT: Broom off any puddles of water with a clean broom prior to beginning the installation. After removing the standing
water the floor should be clean. If it does not appear to be clean or appears to be saturated with oils, then you must repeat
the surface prep instructions above.. A wire brush may be needed for extreme areas. Begin installation when the
concrete surface is clean and dry to the touch.


OLDER, STAINED OR HIGHLY POLISHED CONCRETE

Concrete that has been in service for extended periods of time, particularly garage floors, becomes polished from the
repeated traffic in the common areas. Also, impurities and chemicals from tires becomes trapped in the porous surface.
These conditions require special treatment to create a strong bond for ArmorClad.

Step One - Before cleaning and degreasing as noted in the instructions, these areas should be sanded and brushed to
remove the impurities and to create a rougher surface on which to apply the ArmorClad. This sanding can be done with
an electric sander/buffer with a medium abrasive pad or it can be accomplished by hand sanding the areas with medium
grit sandpaper. 

HINT: When sanding by hand, use a drywall sanding pad and extension pole to simplify the process.
 
Step Two - After sanding and brushing with a wire brush, rinse the areas involved to remove all dust and foreign materials
and then proceed with cleaning and degreasing above. See FAQ’s for more info.


MIXING

ArmorClad is a two component 100% solids-type epoxy resin. It requires the thorough mixing of the Part ‘A’ and Part ‘B'
components for the material to properly harden. Mixing can be done by using the mixing stick provided in the kit or it can
be enhanced through the use of a low speed electric drill mixer and the paint mixer included. High speed mixing should
be avoided so that the air bubbles are not captured in the mixture.
 
HINT: If you desire to ‘cut in’ corners or paint along walls and such before doing your floor, you can mix up smaller
quantities of the ArmorClad by simply pouring out what you want into a smaller container and holding the 2:1 mix ratio (2
parts of A with 1 part of B).
 
Step One - Open the part A & B cans and stir each individually.
 
Step Two - Mix the contents of Part A thoroughly BEFORE POURING OUT. This step helps to mix in any settled
pigments. Pour the contents from Part A and the contents of part B into a larger container that can hold at least the total
you are mixing. Be certain to empty all of the material from the containers. Mix the two components together for 2-3
minutes but not any longer. Move the mechanical mixer up and down through the contents while spinning so that you get
ALL of the material mixed, not just the material at the bottom of the pail. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the
containers to assure that all the material is properly mixed. Improperly mixed resins will not harden properly or show color
variations when applied. DO NOT MIX AT HIGH SPEEDS AS THIS CAN CAUSE AIR BUBBLES. IMPROPER MIXING
MAY CAUSE THE PRODUCT TO NOT HARDEN PROPERLY, SO MAKE SURE THE PRODUCT IS PROPERLY
MIXED. IF IN DOUBT, MIX A BIT MORE. ALL ARMORCLAD PRODUCTS ARE TESTED PRIOR TO SHIPPING FOR
HARDENING. IMPROPER HARDEING IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AS THE ONLY THING THAT CAN
CAUSE THIS IS IMPROPER MIXING OR VERY HIGH MOISTURE LEVELS IN YOUR FLOOR.

After the components are mixed together you have approximately ½ hour of working time to apply at 70 deg F.
HIGHER TEMPERATURES WILL SHORTEN WORKING TIME. Work diligently and quickly to avoid premature
hardening and product failure. Premature hardening is not covered under warranty. DO NOT MIX IN DIRECT
SUNLIGHT. You can mix as much or as little of the material as you like, as long as you hold the mix ratio (2:1)
constant. HIGHER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES CAN CAUSE HARDENING PREMATURELY. GETTING THE
MATERIAL ONTO THE COOLER FLOOR WILL ALSO HELP SLOW DOWN CURING.

APPLICATION OPTION ONE - SINGLE COLOR

ArmorClad may be installed as a solid color or with the decorative flakes to provide an attractive, terrazzo-like finish. The
clear coat (if used) provides significant additional durability and shine.

Option One, Solid Color Application - Appropriate tools to reduce effort and help produce a professional finish. A small,
disposable paintbrush should be used to coat edges, corners and any hard to reach areas. Larger areas should be
coated using supplied squeegee or a ¼ or 3/8 non-shedding roller cover on a heavy duty 9” roller frame along with a
sturdy extension pole. Pour the ArmorClad epoxy onto the floor in a left-to-right pattern in a ‘bead’, then roll or squeegee
out. Applying to the floor onto the cool concrete slows down the curing process and allows longer working time. DO NOT
LEAVE IN BUCKET FOR EXTENDED PERIODS. DO NOT USE A ROLLER PAN. APPLY DIRECTLY TO FLOOR OR
PREMATURE HARDENING MAY OCCUR.

Hard to reach areas should be coated first using the small paintbrush. Before mixing the entire contents of the cans
together, you may wish to mix equal small quantities of A & B in a coffee-type can and use a brush for corners, edges,
etc. Larger areas should be done with the roller. Apply ArmorClad evenly and consistently to the entire area being
coated. Be careful to cover all areas and do not leave light streaks or heavy areas. Apply smoothly and evenly. Upon
completion the surface should look uniform in color without streaks or heavy accumulations.


APPLICATION OPTION TWO: DECORATIVE FLECKS

Option Two, Fleck Aapplication - When installing fleck chips, the mixed ArmorClad epoxy is applied I the same fashion for
the solid color application, however, it is done in segments noted below.

Apply the ArmorClad solid color evenly with complete coverage to an area that you can easily reach across to disperse
the deco chips, usually a width of about 2-3 feet. Remember, you can’t walk on wet epoxy unless you have purchased our
spiked ‘epoxy walking shoes’.

Immediately after applying the epoxy to the segment, apply the deco chips by carefully sprinkling them from a height of
approximately three feet and allowing them to randomly ‘rain down’ onto the wet surface. Do not ‘throw’ them down, it is
better to throw them up and let them ‘rain down’. Be careful to not over-apply the amount of chips in any one area. The
chips should be applied so that the surface is uniform in the amount and random in color. Leave a wet edge of the
ArmorClad where you can start coating your next area with disturbing the chips you already applied. Continue this
process until the area is completed with a uniform appearance. Make sure to note how many chips you have for the
project and apportion them properly so you don’t run short at the end of the project.

HINT: You can practice applying the chips by sprinkling some over a clean, dry area and then sweeping up for re-use.

Let dry for 24 hours, then sweep or vacuum up any loose flecks, or flecks that may have fallen onto each other.

GLAZE COAT APPLICATION

The clear protective topcoat is applied after the ArmorClad is fully dry enough to walk on (normally overnight, but can be
sooner depending on temp or humidity conditions). Open can, mix well and apply. For enhanced safety, we recommend
using the included anti-slip aggregate should be added to the glaze coat to reduce the risk of slipping on finished floors
that may be exposed to wet or oily/greasy conditions. Use 1 package per gallon. Slowly pour the contents of the non skid
into the topcoat and mix well to thoroughly suspend in the mixture. Glaze coat will go on ‘milky white’ but clear up shortly
to a high gloss shine. Apply with roller.

HINT: The aggregate will settle while mixed in the glaze, so periodic stirring is required during the application process to
assure uniform application of the anti slip aggregate.

CLEAN UP

ArmorClad epoxy can be cleaned off hands and other surfaces with warm, soapy water before the material begins to
harden. Sticky resin on hands can be removed with mineral spirits or xylene. Fully cured ArmorClad can only be removed
with industrial paint strippers available from us, or through mechanical methods such as grinding or sanding. Any leftover
mixed ArmorClad, paintbrushes and roller covers will harden once the material cures and should be disposed of according
to your local regulations.

RETURN TO SERVICE

At 75 def F, ArmorClad should cure for at least 24 hours before opening the area to foot traffic. 5 days before driving
across, and 7 days before parking a car on it. Extreme temperatures and humidity levels can dramatically impact curing
times. If the ArmorClad is not ‘rock hard’ after 72 hours @ 75 degrees F, then do not drive on it and call for assistance.

Coverage - when applied to a smooth/dry surface coverage is approximately 600 square feet per kit. Coverage calculated
@ 8.3 mils. This is equivalent to 4 layers of standard floor paint. Topcoating adds an additional layer of protection.

MAINTENANCE
ArmorClad surfaces are easy to maintain through periodic mopping with a non-bleach household detergent solution and
rinsing with clear water. Clear topcoat should be re-applied based on usage, salt/winter exposure and wear as part of a
regular maintenance program.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

My concrete is relatively new, do I still need to clean the floor before applying ArmorClad? Yes, construction dust, dry
wall paste, and paint splatters can affect the bond. Lime, which is an ingredient of concrete floats to the top while it cures
and must be treated. Scrape foreign substances from the floor and then clean the floor with the etching solution. This is
mandatory step. Skipping the prep step can cause failures.

My floor is newly-poured, how long do I have to wait? Normally a slab needs 30 days to cure. It can be less or more
depending on conditions. Do moisture test as indicated below.

Do I have to remove old coatings or paint before I apply ArmorClad? Yes, it should be. The ArmorClad epoxy may form
a bond on these surfaces that is stronger than the bond of the old coating on the concrete. This could cause the old
coating to pull away from the concrete, leaving an uncoated area. Leaving old coatings on could cause failure due to
entrapment of moisture. Armorpoxy sells floor paint strippers for this use. If you are unable to remove the old coating, at
the minimum power was with a minimum 3000 psi power washer, or sand. Then, etch with the etching solution right over
any remaining coating. If you are unable to remove the old coating, then make sure to etch properly.

I have stains on my concrete caused by tires of my car. Do these areas have to receive special treatment before coating?
Yes, tires contain chemicals that leach into the concrete over time. If too much of these substances are trapped in the
concrete, then the Armor Fleck will not adhere to them and it won’t stick. These dark areas should be sanded with a
rough sanding pad, scrubbed with a wire brush and the apply the etch and then rinse well thoroughly.

I may have a clear sealer on my floor. How can I determine if I need extra surface prep? The easiest way to determine
this is to sprinkle water on the questionable areas of your floor. If the water beads, you have a foreign substance that
must be removed. Sanding or etching can be used to remove this problem. Also diluted muriatic acid has been shown to
help also. Test again with water to assure proper sealant removal. Repeat as necessary until no water beading occurs.

I think I may have a moisture problem, how do I determine that? To test easily for moisture before you coat, duct tape
down a sheet of 4’ x 4’ clear plastic. Tape all 4 sides completely. Wait 24 hours. Check for moisture buildup under the
plastic. If significant amounts, then wait until dry, or consider another alternative (ArmorCover or ArmorTiles).

Can I apply multiple coats of ArmorClad over a period of time? Yes, no special surface prep is required if the additional
coats are applied within 3-5 days. If a longer period goes by, then the area should be sanded lightly to create a rougher
surface to which the ArmorClad can adhere to.

Do I really need to add the anti-slip aggregate to the glaze coat? Any coated surface, especially a high quality, smooth
surface can be slippery when wet or exposed to oils and grease. As a safety feature, we highly recommend that the
anti-slip aggregate be added to the final coat.

I have some cracks in my floor. Should I fill these in before applying the ArmorClad? Filling the cracks may yield a
smoother, more beautiful floor. If you have cracks, use our crack fillers (available from us) . Also urethane or epoxy
caulks may be used. Another idea is to hide the cracks with the deco chips. Do not use silicone-type caulks or fillers, they
resist ArmorClad. Do not use silicone-type crack fillers.

SAFETY

As with any chemical, avoid contact with skin, avoid inhalation and wear protective clothing, rubber gloves and eye
protection. Apply only in well ventilated areas. Follow all local, state and federal regulations that may apply to your area.
See our website at www.armorclad.com for msds sheets.

FIRST AID

For skin contact, wash thoroughly with soap and warm water. In case of contact with eyes, flush with warm water and
immediately contact a physician or go to the emergency room of your local medical center or hospital. If swallowed, do
not induce vomiting. Contact a physician and the poison control center.

WARRANTY

Armorpoxy warranties that ArmorClad, if properly applied will not delaminate, peel or flake for life. Warranty registration
must be filled in and returned within 10 days of shipment. This warranty covers adequate replacement product to correct
any affected areas. Acts of god, water damage, flooding, seismic movement, cracks in concrete from settling and similar
issues are not covered. Misuse and normal wear/tear is not covered. Normal wear is not covered. Moisture-caused
problems are not covered. Deco flecks and clear coating is not covered.