Do Polyaspartic Coatings Turn Yellow?

No, polyaspartic coatings do not turn yellow with age or UV exposure. The confusion comes from the similarities between polyaspartic coatings and epoxy and polyurethane coatings, which are both more likely to turn yellow over time.

To best understand why polyaspartic is UV stable, a homeowner must know the differences between the three and conclude which ones work best for their property. The Armor Coating Co. team explains their differences and why polyaspartic does not turn yellow.

The Differences Between Epoxy, Polyaspartic, and Polyurethane

While they are similar products, epoxy, polyaspartic, and polyurethane provide varying benefits. Before deciding which works for you, read on to see the subtle differences between the three options.

Epoxy Floor Coatings

To create epoxy, you mix two chemicals right before application to create a resin. This resin comes in three formulas: 100% solids, water-based, and solvent-based. Each of the three types offers different levels of thickness.

The 100% solids type offers the thickest, hardest, and most impact-resistant characteristics, making it the most effective of the three. Epoxy bonds well to prepared concrete and is easy to work with.

Epoxy provides a solid and efficient coating for your concrete surface and is scratch and abrasion-resistant. However, this coating system requires a long cure time, up to five days. There are specialty UV-resistant formulas, but even those will turn yellow with constant exposure.

Polyurea Coatings

The most common use for polyurea is the top coat over an epoxy floor. Polyurea bonds ineffectively to concrete and requires a coating between itself and your flooring. It does offer several benefits over epoxy, making it a worthy top coat choice.

There are varying types of polyurea coats, with different pros and cons. We’ve listed the two most common below:

  • Aromatic polyurea — the cheaper of the two, offers high performance but is not UV resistant.
  • Aliphatic polyurea — nearly double the cost of aromatic but is extremely UV stable.

Polyurea is not as hard as epoxy but provides a more scratch-resistant surface. It’s also more flexible and chemical-resistant than epoxy.

Polyaspartic Garage Floor Coating

Polyaspartic coatings provide similar benefits as polyurea coatings, except you can use polyaspartic as a complete coat. It bonds well to concrete, eliminating the need for an epoxy base coat.

Because of its exceptional adhesion abilities, you can use a polyaspartic coating as a top or full coat, offering a longer working lifespan than other concrete coatings. The 100% solids polyaspartic coatings also have little to zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Benefits of a Polyaspartic Concrete Floor Coating

For a few reasons, many professionals prefer polyaspartic concrete coatings over epoxy or polyurea coatings. We’ve listed some of the main benefits below.

UV Resistance

For highly resistant coatings, choose polyaspartic. This resistance is critical in outdoor areas exposed to the sun every day. Epoxy yellows quickly, and polyurea will also wear with time, making polyaspartic coatings your best bet for UV exposure.

Fast Curing

The cure time for polyaspartic flooring is, at maximum, 24 hours. However, many formulas cure in less time. This quick-curing formula offers a fast return to service and allows you to walk or drive on it sooner than the other options. Choosing a polyaspartic coating helps you save on labor costs as well.

Abrasion Resistant

Though all coatings offer some abrasion resistance, polyaspartic coatings are more flexible and hold up better than their counterparts. Flexibility allows the floor to give in tiny increments, lessening impact damage.

Which One Best Works for You?

If you need a coating anywhere that light will affect its color, choose polyaspartic coatings in Duluth. However, there is more to consider when searching for an inside location.

Typically, design and style dictate which coating works for your needs. Our experts can mix colored flakes and pigments into polyaspartic coats, improving the appearance of your floor.

If you are still determining which works for you, our team can help you decide between them. We’ll offer insight into which one fits your goals and requirements.

Reach Out to Armor Coating Co.

Armor Coating Co. is here to help with all your floor coating needs. We’ve focused on concrete flooring for years, perfecting our technique and performance. We’ve got the experience to provide exceptional work and aim to please with every job.

We offer a 15-year warranty and a satisfaction guarantee on floor coatings for all our customers. We also provide effective salt pit removal services at an affordable price.

For a long-lasting and attractive coating, you need us! Contact Armor Coating Co. at (715) 934-9037 for your polyaspartic coatings today in Duluth, MN.

How Much Do Your Concrete Floor Coatings Cost?

Each project is customized to your particular concrete flooring needs. Every job we do is different, because we offer different types of coatings and finishes.  We will work with you to develop a free estimate keeping your budget in mind. 

How Long Will The Concrete Coating Last?

We use the highest quality materials in our polyaspartic floor coatings and we’ve perfected our application process to make the concrete coating permanent.  Once completely cured and adhered, the concrete coating is meant to last as long as the substrate it’s adhered to.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Over Epoxy Floor Coatings?

Polyaspartic Floor Coatings dry more quickly than Epoxy Floor Coatings, and the finish is also more durable.  Our floor concrete coating finishes are also more slip-resistant and will not discolor like some Epoxy Floor Coatings.

How Long Do I Need To Stay Off My Concrete Floor Coating After It Is Installed?

Our flooring cures within a few hours, however our team of professionals recommends waiting at least 4-6 hours before walking on your brand new concrete coated flooring. After 12 hours, you can begin moving lightweight objects onto the flooring, like light patio furniture.  We recommend waiting a full 24 hours before moving anything heavy back into the area where we’ve applied the coating (your car, heavy equipment or furniture etc.).

Will My New Concrete Floor Coating Turn Yellow?

It sure won’t! Our concrete floor coverings will not yellow or discolor, because they are UV stable. This  one of the many benefits of using Polyurea or Polyaspartic floor coatings.

Will I Need To Reseal My Concrete Floor Coating?

If you follow our maintenance and cleaning guidelines, you should not have to worry about resealing the concrete floor coating. We offer a professional grade cleaner that will easily remove stains or tire marks, but will also preserve the life of your concrete coating topcoat.

How Long Does It Take You To Apply Concrete Floor Coatings?

We’ve perfected our 6-step application process, so most typical projects take between 5-10 hours depending on the square footage.  We pride ourselves in a one-day application, and will do everything possible to stay within that time frame.  Rainy weather can delay the project, but it is rare.

How Do I Care For My Concrete Floor Coating?

You can clean our concrete coatings with typical sweeping, mopping or steaming, and hoses.  We offer maintenance services should your concrete flooring ever need cleaning, however you can also use non-abrasive cleaners, like CLR, to remove grease or other stains. 

Will Oil Stain My Concrete Floor Coating?

Armor coatings are oil resistant as well as moisture resistant.

Who Invented Polyaspartic Coatings?

Bayer Material Science first developed Polyaspartic coatings in the 1990’s to protect steel bridges and infrastructure from rusting and corrosion. It has since been modified for different applications, once being durable concrete flooring coatings.

What Are Polyaspartic Concrete Coatings?

Polyaspartic Concrete coating is another name for Aliphatic Polyurea, which is a hybrid material consisting of ester and other materials. It was originally developed to coat metal bridges.  It was later used to coat concrete flooring due to its durability and moisture resistance. Polyurea is also used to coat truck bed liners.

Can Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Be Used Outside?

They sure can!  We offer wonderful solutions for driveways, patios, and even the area around the pool.  Our coatings are all UV stable, which will help prevent discoloration or flaking.

What Types Of Environments Can Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Be Used?

Polyaspartic flooring coatings can be used in a variety of environments.  The durability, slip resistant finish is fantastic for any industrial setting, storefronts, patios, or even driveways or garages.

How Are Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Applied?

We have perfected a six step process for applying Polyaspartic Floor Coatings that involves prepping the floor, basecoating, applying chips, scraping the chips, and applying the clear UV protective clear coat. 

Can I Apply Polyaspartic Floor Coatings In Cold Temperatures?

You can!  Polyaspartic floor coatings are safe to apply in temperatures as cold as -40 degrees.

How Long Do Polyaspartic Floor Coatings Take To Dry?

Our Polyaspartic Floor Coatings are engineered to rapidly cure, and can be dry in a matter of a few hours!  However, we recommend waiting at least 5-6 hours before walking on newly applied coating and 24 hours before moving heavy objects back onto the flooring.

Do I Need To Hire A Professional To Install Polyaspartic Floor Coating?

Installing Polyaspartic Floor Coating correctly is critical to the appearance and durability of your flooring.  Hiring a professional is the best way to ensure that your flooring will look amazing and last a lifetime! Our team at Armor Coatings is certified in Polyaspartic Floor Coating installation and have many years of experience.

Is It Possible To Cover Existing Epoxy Floor Coating With Polyaspartic Floor Coating?

It is!  Polyaspartic floor coatings are specially formulated for their incredible adhesion properties.  If you have existing patches of epoxy coating, our team can sand it down, vacuum, and wipe down the area with a solvent.  Once prepped, we will apply your new, superior, Polyaspartic Floor Coating