Which ALKA flooring system fits the job?

The following comparison is a starting point based on ALKA’s published system descriptions. The layer sequences are indicative; the substrate assessment, current approved technical data and project specification govern the final build.

A decorative flake floor is not automatically the best answer for a working repair bay. Likewise, a nominally thicker coating cannot repair weak concrete or make a poor joint detail suitable for hard-wheeled traffic. Split mixed-use premises into zones if their demands differ: a customer-facing reception, parking area, service bay and wet wash area may call for different finishes or details.

Describe the traffic, not just the vehicle count

For a domestic garage, note where tyres stop and turn, whether the floor receives direct sunlight at the doorway, and whether tools or stands are placed on it. For a commercial workshop, map repeated routes, brake-and-turn points, vehicle lifts, trolley wheels, dropped tools and the locations where fluids are handled. Record the type of wheel and the load it carries. Small hard wheels and concentrated contact points can be more demanding locally than a parked vehicle.

Give particular attention to slab edges, trenches, drain surrounds and joints in wheel paths. The concrete and joint detail must carry the intended load; a coating follows the substrate beneath it. Where a floor has cracks, establish whether they are stable or moving before choosing a repair. Keep designed movement joints functional through the finished surface rather than rigidly coating across them.

Assess the concrete before choosing the resin

An existing garage slab may carry a sealer, paint, curing compound or old coating that is difficult to see. Workshops can have oil that has penetrated below the visible surface. Inspect for loose concrete, laitance, spalls, hollow areas, cracks, ponding, old repairs and signs of rising moisture. Determine whether a previous coating can remain by testing its adhesion and compatibility with the proposed preparation and new layers.

Cleaning removes grease and loose contamination; mechanical preparation creates an appropriate sound surface profile for the selected system. The required profile depends on the coating build and the condition of the concrete. Trial uncertain contamination or old finishes. Document the moisture test method and result against the approved system’s acceptance criteria. A taped plastic sheet may reveal an obvious problem but cannot replace a specified quantitative test. See the concrete preparation checklist for the fuller assessment sequence.

Match the finish to spills, sunlight and cleaning

Chemicals and workshop liquids

“Chemical resistant” does not mean resistant to every liquid. Supply ALKA with the actual list: engine oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, degreasers, battery electrolyte or solvents where relevant. Include concentration, temperature, expected contact time and cleaning method. A brief spill removed promptly is a different exposure from repeated soaking or a chemical trapped beneath equipment. The published ALKA 110 Revision 4 document specifically cautions that the older chemical table is not a product-specific test programme and flags some aggressive solvent exposures for further verification. Do not infer approval for an aggressive solvent from general workshop suitability.

UV exposure and clear finishes

Daylight entering a garage and fully exposed outdoor service are different conditions. ALKA describes the pigmented ALKA-210 as a UV-resistant polyaspartic, while ALKA-912 lists several possible clear finishes. The entire layer build still needs approval for the exposure, including any pigmented epoxy beneath a clear coat. A clear topcoat should not be treated as proof that the underlying system will retain its colour or appearance outdoors. Discuss doors, open-sided bays and direct sun with ALKA before selecting the finish.

Slip resistance and cleanability

A smooth glossy floor can be easier to wipe, but oil, water or cleaning residue may change the walking risk. Specify the texture for the real operating condition, including pedestrian routes, ramps and wash areas. Aggregate type, size, coverage and sealing affect both grip and how thoroughly the floor can be cleaned. Agree a sample finish and, where a slip classification is required, arrange testing of the relevant finished surface. No particular P-rating can be assumed from a product name or from the presence of broadcast aggregate. Drainage, prompt spill removal and maintenance remain part of the solution.

Plan the installation and return to use

Agree the exact primer, body coat, aggregate if any, and finish as one compatible system. The applicator should record surface preparation, repairs, moisture acceptance, air and slab conditions, material batches, application quantities and coat intervals. Temperature, humidity, porosity and film build affect working and cure times. Do not schedule vehicle traffic simply because the surface feels dry: the approved current technical data and site conditions determine when pedestrian use, vehicle loads, washing and chemical exposure can begin.

After handover, remove abrasive grit and spills promptly, use a cleaner compatible with the installed finish, and inspect high-traffic routes, joints and damaged areas. Early repair helps prevent fluids from entering under a cut or delaminated edge. Keep a record of the actual products, batches, application dates and maintenance instructions so future repairs can be matched to the installed floor.

What to send for a system recommendation

• Floor area, location, age of the slab and photos of its present condition, joints, drains and previous coatings.
• Vehicles, wheel types, traffic frequency, lifts, jack stands, trolley routes and concentrated loads.
• Liquids and chemicals, likely spill duration, cleaning products and washdown routine.
• Sun exposure, wet areas, desired colour or flake appearance, surface texture and any required slip testing.
• Available shutdown period and the required dates for pedestrian, vehicle and full-service reopening.

With that information, ALKA can review ALKA-902, ALKA-908 and ALKA-912 against the substrate and service conditions. Request technical project support and obtain the current, technically approved product data and complete coating schedule before specifying or applying a system.

Common questions

Can a garage floor be coated over existing paint?

Only after the old material and its bond are assessed. Unsound or incompatible coating must be removed; a representative preparation and adhesion trial helps resolve uncertain existing finishes. The new primer cannot compensate for failure of the layer beneath it.

Is flake flooring suitable for a mechanical workshop?

ALKA-912 is presented for decorative garages and lighter vehicle use. For repeated service-bay traffic, assess ALKA-908 or another project-specified build instead. The answer depends on loads, chemicals, cleaning, texture and the strength of the concrete.

Will an epoxy floor prevent tyre marks or resist every workshop chemical?

No universal promise is justified. Tyre type, temperature, duration of contact, finish and cleaning all matter; chemical suitability depends on the exact substance and exposure. Describe the duty and request product-specific advice or a trial where appearance and resistance are critical.

Technical references

• ALKA system descriptions: ALKA-902, ALKA-908 and ALKA-912. System pages are selection guides, not an approved project specification.
• ACI 515.3R-20, assessment and preparation of concrete for protection systems; ICRI 310.2R, selecting and specifying surface preparation.
• SafeWork NSW guidance on slips, trips and falls; Standards Australia AS 4586 for classification of new pedestrian surface materials and AS 4663 for measurement of existing surfaces.