Start with the existing surface
Record old paint, oil contamination, cracks, dusting and visible damp patches. Ask the installer to explain the preparation and repair scope in writing. A new coating is a finish; it should not be sold as a diagnosis or repair of an unidentified moisture or structural problem.
- Will old paint or resin be removed, and how will the base be assessed?
- What treatment is included for contaminated or damaged areas?
- What moisture assessment is required by the proposed system?
- What happens if hidden defects are found after preparation?
When can you use the garage?
Return-to-use times depend on the exact product and site conditions. As a product-specific example, Sika South Africa publishes the following approximate times for Sikafloor Garage. These are not a timetable promised for your installation. Confirm whether the manufacturer's light-traffic category covers your intended vehicle use, and obtain the installer's written handover instructions.
| Temperature | Foot traffic | Light traffic | Full cure |
|---|---|---|---|
| +10°C | About 48 hours | About 5 days | About 10 days |
| +20°C | About 20 hours | About 3 days | About 7 days |
| +30°C | About 10 hours | About 2 days | About 5 days |
Ask for a written handover plan
Before work starts, agree when the garage must be emptied, when preparation and coating are expected to finish, and when each type of use can resume. Ask for separate instructions for walking, moving storage back, parking, washing and chemical exposure. Keep the product names and the cleaning instructions with the quotation. If a product is substituted, confirm the revised programme rather than relying on the earlier cure timetable.
For care after installation, ask for the cleaning regime for the specified finish. Sika’s guidance explains why cleaning agents, pads and maintenance need to suit the system.
Colour, sheen and texture
Choose colour, sheen and texture separately. Available shades depend on the flooring product and supplier.
Colour
Ask for the full colour chart for the proposed system. Approve a physical sample of your chosen shade.
Sheen
Check how reflective the finished floor will be. The resin and any topcoat determine the appearance.
Texture & grip
Discuss water, vehicle use and cleaning. Ask how the specified surface texture suits your garage.
For example, Sika South Africa lists several RAL shades for Sikafloor-264 ZA, with other colours on request. Ask your contractor which colours they can supply for your project, along with lead times and any extra cost.
For a uniform look, specify one colour across the floor and agree the complete finish. A colour swatch alone does not show the final sheen or establish slip resistance.
Specify grip, sunlight and use
Tell the contractor whether rainwater reaches the floor, the garage door stays open, vehicles turn on the coating or the space doubles as a workshop. Ask for the slip-resistance approach and cleaning requirements of the complete system. Texture can change both grip and ease of cleaning; do not treat every glossy finish as equivalent.
Buying a kit or paying for installation?
AMT Composites lists a Flake-It double-garage DIY bundle at R8,497.47–R11,314.97 including VAT when checked on 11 November 2026. That is a materials-bundle example, not a Bloemfontein installed-floor price. Check the selected components, actual coverage, delivery and preparation needs separately. We do not sell this kit or present AMT as a partner.
Prepare a useful garage enquiry
- Measure length and width; note alcoves and fixed obstructions.
- Describe the current finish, previous coatings and any known repairs.
- State the number and type of vehicles and any workshop use.
- Mention water entry, direct sunlight and the available closure period.
- Ask for preparation, coating specification and return-to-use instructions in the same quotation.
Already have a tiled garage floor? Our guide to resin flooring over existing tiles explains the questions to resolve before deciding whether the tiles can remain.
Questions, answered.
Can epoxy go over an old painted garage floor?
Do not assume it can. The condition and compatibility of the old coating need assessment, and removal may form part of the scope. Ask the contractor to state what is proposed rather than simply quoting for another coat.
Can I park on the floor as soon as I can walk on it?
Not necessarily. Manufacturers distinguish foot traffic, other traffic and full cure. Use instructions for the specified system and actual installation conditions.
Does a flake finish automatically make a floor non-slip?
No universal performance can be inferred from the appearance. Ask for the specified texture, topcoat and evidence appropriate to how the space will be used and cleaned.
Will you arrange a garage-floor installer immediately?
Installer availability and referral arrangements must be confirmed. Submitting an enquiry is not a booking.