Metal Illusion Flooring System

The iCoat Metal Illusion Flooring System is an easy 4-step process that any tradesman, handyman, or DIY enthusiast can do.




iCoat Metal Illusion can be done over many substrates after properly prepped. The floor is stunning, long-lasting, and requires very little maintenance to keep it looking new for years. Metal Illusion products all meet LEED Platinum standards without noticeable fumes from VOCs during and after application. Metal Illusion is a 100% solids epoxy and is excellent with abrasion and stain resistance. iCoat Products make living spaces beautiful.
Here is a link to our online step by step training. https://icoatflooringproducts.vhx.tv/
We provide a simple 4 step process to upgrade your old floors to make them beautiful.
PREP
Clean and Sound Substrate. Prepare your floor for the application. Remove all debris, glue, and carpet tacks. Use iCoat Patch & Fill or Crack RX to fill holes in the existing concrete and smooth with a trowel. When dry, sand or grind rough areas. Remove dust with a vacuum and then mop to clean with iCoat Maintain to remove dust particles on the floor.
Concrete receiving a Metal Illusion floor must be clean and sound with all debris and dust removed completely. Older concrete floors should be ground with proper flooring equipment to a 40 grit. Newer floors that are clean could be simply power-washed. Voids such as tack strip holes, cracks and other potentially damaged areas should be filled with Patch & Fill. Once grinding is done it is important to mop with iCoat Maintain diluted in water. After a quick mop use use a 10:1 water to acid solution to free up embedded laitance and then mop with Maintain a few times until you have clean water.
Previously Sealed/Epoxy on existing floors can be gone directly over with Metal Illusion as long as it is clean and sound. Peeling epoxies must be ground just like raw concrete. Typically a good degreaser and an acid wash then power-wash will get the existing epoxy clean.
Wood substrates: Tongue in groove plywood sub-flooring is a candidate Metal Illusion. The seams between the boards and all nail or screw holes must be filled with Bondo and then sanded smooth. This prevents epoxy from leaking through the seams and exposing them.
PRIME
Metal Illusion epoxy must be installed over one of iCoat Products primers. Picking the right primer is key to success to avoid outgassing and enhance adhesion.
Concrete:
528: Concrete surfaces typically utilize the iCoat 528 which is a clear single part urethane that has excellent bonding and priming properties. 528 can be tinted to any background color by using iCoat Dispersion colorants. 528 typically dries in an hour or less so an installer can prime and install the Metal Illusion the same day. Coverage rates are typically 400 to 500 sq ft per gallon depending on color. White floors may require two coats of 528. It is easiest to roll 528 with a good quality 3/8” by 18” roller pad. Dip and roll from a tray. Consistency is that of water.
Metal Illusion Primer: A two-part waterborne epoxy that requires mixing. It comes in Black or white; the white is tint-able to a variety of background colors. MI epoxy takes 4 to 6 hours to dry. MI epoxy is used where a slightly thicker film is required or on very porous substrates. Coverage rate is approximately 400 sq ft per gallon. Penetrating and a thicker coating.
Old Epoxy:
MI Primer is a two part waterborne epoxy that requires mixing. It comes in Black or white; the white is tint-able to a variety of background colors. MI epoxy takes 4 to 6 hours to dry. MI epoxy is perfect for priming over already sealed surfaces. Coverage rate is approximately 400 sq ft per gallon when rolled. Use dip and roll procedure to roll side to side and then crosshatch for uniform coverage.
Wood:
MRB27: is a flexible epoxy primer that bonds great to wood substrates. It maintains enough flexibility to bridge joints and protect the Metal Illusion from developing cracks due to expected thermal expansion on above grade floors. It can be used in boats, RVs, second floors and anywhere else a properly reinforced wood floor is to be resurfaced. MRB 27 comes in black and white which can be tinted to a variety of colors with iCoat Dispersion colorants. Coverage rate is approximately 150 to 200 sq ft per gallon when rolled. Use dip and roll procedure to roll side to side and then crosshatch for uniform coverage.
COLOR
Metal Illusion layer: Metal Illusion Epoxy is a 2 to 1 crystal clear, industrial grade, cyclo-aliphatic epoxy that can be tinted to create a metallic effect. There are many application techniques that create a variety of effects and can be done in any color. Multiple colors in flooring is also possible to create marbling or veining. Typical application techniques include squeegee, roller and troweled effects. The system comprises the following:
MI Epoxy: Coverage rates vary depending on application technique but 70 ft a gallon is the nominal coverage expected. MI epoxy comes in 3 gallon, 15 gallon and 165 gallon kits.
Arctic White Powder: While mica powders are available in a host of colors iCoat advises to use a white mica powder and a liquid colorant to ensure color consistency and variety. One 8 oz jar of iCoat Arctic White should be added per 3 gallons of epoxy as a tint-able base color.
Superstain: iCoat Superstains are a highly concentrated nano-pigment that can be used to create any color or any shade of any color in the Metal Illusion epoxy floor. Superstains are usually added at a rate of 1 to 10 ounces per 3 gallon kit of epoxy depending on the shade of color desired. It is advisable to tint enough A epoxy for the entire job and then batch the kits together to ensure exact color across the whole job. Once the A is tinted the B can be added when ready.
SEAL
Metal Illusion epoxy can stand alone without a topcoat as it is a wearable surface. Many opt to install a topcoat as a protectant or sacrificial surface depending on desired effect. If a topcoat is required we recommend sanding lightly with a 180 screen on a square-buff machine. You can choose one of the following:
2112 is an aliphatic, single component urethane that can be rolled over MI epoxy. Dip and roll then crosshatch. Coverage rate is approximately 400 sq ft per gallon
U500 is a 2 to one emulsion urethane that has outstanding chem resistant properties for applications such as garages, mechanic shops, airplane hangars or other industrial applications. It has a long working time and creates a very hard shell. C Dip and roll then crosshatch. Coverage rate is approximately 400 sq ft per gallon
Renew: is a sacrificial acrylic finish that can be applied over newly installed Metal Illusion floor. It is a high solids finish that has excellent scratch resistant properties. Renew can be applied anytime a customer would like to refresh their installation. It is applied with a microfiber mop at a coverage rate of 800 sq ft per gallon. Multiple coats can be installed as desired.