Case Study
From Peeling Box-Store Epoxy to a Garage Floor That's "Like Night and Day"
Project Overview
The Challenge: DIY Epoxy That Gave Out
Twenty-eight years ago, Martin coated his garage floor with an epoxy kit from the box store. It worked for a while, then started peeling up. He wanted a floor that would stay put, look good, and be easy to keep clean.
Why does DIY garage floor epoxy peel?
Most box-store kits rely on light surface prep, like cleaning or acid etching, so the coating sits on top of the concrete instead of bonding into it. Hot tires, moisture moving up through the slab, and Indiana freeze-thaw cycles then work at that weak bond until the coating lifts. Many kits are also thinner than professional systems, so they wear through faster.
The Duration Difference: Starting Over the Right Way
A new coating can't bond to peeling epoxy, so the old layer had to come off first. Duration's crew removed the failing coating, diamond-ground the slab to open up the concrete, and repaired cracks so the new coating would have sound concrete to bond into.
Then they applied Duration's professional coating system and finished the floor in a single day. Martin's verdict on the difference: like night and day.
Can you coat over an old epoxy floor?
Not when it's peeling. A new coating is only as strong as what's under it, and failing epoxy will keep lifting and take the new layer with it. The old coating has to be ground off down to bare concrete first. That prep is the step DIY kits skip, and it's the reason a professional floor holds where the old one didn't.
From Old Epoxy to New Floor
Here is how Martin's garage went from peeling epoxy to a new floor in one day.
Step 1: Assessment
Duration looked at the peeling epoxy and the condition of the concrete underneath to plan the removal and repair.
Step 2: Removal and Diamond Grinding
The failing epoxy came off, and the slab was diamond-ground so the new coating could bond into the concrete rather than sit on top.
Step 3: Crack Repair
Cracks in the slab were filled so they wouldn't telegraph through the new finish.
Step 4: Coating and Seal
The new coating system went down and was sealed the same day, leaving Martin with a floor that looks beautiful and cleans up great.
Is your DIY epoxy peeling?
Duration removes failing coatings and installs a professional floor in one day, with free on-site estimates across Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana.
The Results: A Floor That's Like Night and Day
Martin compared his new floor with the old epoxy in four words: like night and day. It looks beautiful, it cleans up great, and he rated the price as great in his Google review.
- No more peeling. The old coating is gone, and the new one is bonded into prepared concrete.
- Easy to clean. A sealed, non-porous surface that wipes up instead of soaking in.
- A great price, per Martin's own price assessment.
- Done in a day.
Is a professional coating worth it over a DIY epoxy kit?
For most garages, yes. A DIY kit costs less up front, but light prep and thin material mean it often peels, and then it has to be ground off before anything new can go down. A professional install starts with diamond grinding and repair, uses a thicker system, and comes with a warranty. Duration backs its floors with a lifetime warranty. See our garage epoxy and polyaspartic options.
What Martin S. Says About His Experience
"The group from Duration did a great job on my garage floor. I had put down epoxy from the box store twenty-eight years ago and it worked for a while but then started peeling up. The product Duration put down is like night and day. It looks beautiful and cleans up great. Thanks Duration."
— Martin S., Fort Wayne Homeowner ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars · Price assessment: Great price · Verified Google Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you remove an old epoxy floor?
Yes. Peeling or worn epoxy is ground off with diamond grinding equipment, down to bare concrete, before the new coating goes on. Removal is part of the prep, not a separate project.
How long does it take to replace a peeling epoxy floor?
Martin's floor was finished in a single day, including removing the old coating. With the Duralast® polyaspartic system, vehicles can return within 24 hours.
Is polyaspartic better than epoxy for a garage?
For most Fort Wayne garages, yes. Epoxy can yellow in sunlight and is prone to delamination through freeze-thaw cycles. The Duralast® polyaspartic system is UV-stable, stays flexible, and is 5X stronger than standard epoxy. See epoxy vs. polyaspartic.
How do I keep a coated garage floor clean?
Sweep or dust-mop regularly, and mop with warm water and a mild cleaner. Because the surface is sealed, spills and salt residue sit on top and wipe up instead of soaking into the concrete.
Why Fort Wayne Homeowners Choose Duration
- Old coatings removed and concrete diamond-ground before anything new goes down
- Crack repair on every floor
- Duralast® polyaspartic system, 5X stronger than standard epoxy
- Single-day installation with vehicles back within 24 hours
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
Get Your Free Estimate Today
Is your DIY epoxy peeling? Contact Duration Concrete Coatings today and see why Fort Wayne homeowners like Martin S. choose us.