“Can you coat over old paint or epoxy?” It’s a fair question—and one that deserves a solid answer.
Whether you’re dealing with a worn garage floor, an outdated commercial epoxy job, or peeling paint in a shop, the idea of just coating over it can be tempting. It sounds like a shortcut. But when it comes to flooring, shortcuts rarely pay off.
At Prime Concrete Coatings, we’re all about doing the job right the first time. So let’s walk through what really happens when you apply a coating over old material—and when it might be okay (spoiler: it usually isn’t).
The Short Answer: You Can, But You Shouldn’t
Technically, yes—you can apply new coatings over old ones. But should you? Almost never. Here’s why:
If the original paint or epoxy is failing—cracking, peeling, lifting, or flaking—your new coating is only as good as that unstable surface. It’s like painting over wallpaper that’s falling off the wall. Looks good for a week. Then? Peels, bubbles, cracks… and disappointment.
What Happens If You Don’t Remove the Old Stuff
Let’s break it down:
- Poor Adhesion: Your new coating might not bond properly. Result? Lifting, blistering, and early failure.
- Trapped Moisture: Older coatings can seal in moisture, which leads to bubbling or delamination.
- Uneven Surface: You’ll see surface defects, ridges, or visible transitions between old and new.
- Wasted Product: High-performance coatings aren’t cheap—don’t throw good product on a bad base.
And here’s the kicker: the surface might look okay now, but once we grind into it or test adhesion, the truth usually comes out.
When (If Ever) Can You Coat Over Existing Epoxy or Paint?
There are rare cases where re-coating is possible:
- The existing epoxy is in near-perfect condition
- There’s zero peeling or delamination
- The surface has been properly prepped (yes, still needs grinding or sanding)
- You’re using a compatible coating system
Even then, we still grind the surface to open up the pores and ensure strong mechanical adhesion. No skipping steps.
Bottom line: It’s not about whether we can—it’s about whether we should. And at Prime, if it’s not going to last, we’re not going to do it.
How We Handle It at Prime Concrete Coatings
At Prime, we don’t coat over guesswork. We inspect every floor in person and test for:
- Coating thickness
- Adhesion strength
- Moisture levels
- Chemical residue or contamination
- Surface damage or cracks
If your old coating is solid, we’ll let you know. If it’s not? We’ll remove it properly, usually by grinding the surface using industrial diamond tooling. This opens up the concrete and gives your new coating a foundation that’s built to last.
We use premium products (like polyaspartic and industrial-grade epoxies) and tailor every system to the environment. High-traffic shop? Garage with snow melt? Retail floor with UV exposure? We’ve got the right solution.
Why It Pays to Do It Right
We know ripping up old coatings isn’t the sexy part of the job. It adds time and sometimes cost. But cutting corners always costs more in the long run.
- Better bonding = longer lifespan
- No flaking or lifting
- Seamless finish with zero visible defects
- Backed by workmanship warranty (yep, we warranty our work)
When your floor looks good and stays that way, you’re getting value. And that’s what we deliver.
Don’t Cover It. Correct It.
If your floor already has paint or epoxy on it, don’t panic. Just don’t assume slapping on another layer will fix the problem.
If you’re located in the Okanagan Valley, get in touch with us. We’ll give you a straight answer, an honest quote, and a finish that actually holds up to real life—whether it’s snow boots in Kelowna or forklift traffic in Vernon.
Ready to Upgrade Your Floor the Right Way?
📍 Proudly serving Kelowna and the entire Okanagan
📞 Call us or request a free estimate online
