Benjamin Moore Garage Guard Epoxy Floor Paint

2-Part Waterborne Epoxy for Garage & Concrete Floors

INSL-X GarageGuard by Benjamin Moore is a professional-grade, two-component waterborne epoxy designed to provide a durable, chemical-resistant finish for interior concrete floors.

Ideal for garage floors, basement floors and commercial concrete surfaces, GarageGuard combines the performance of a traditional solvent-based epoxy system with convenient soap-and-water cleanup.

Its highly cross-linked epoxy film provides excellent resistance to abrasion, impact, hot-tire pickup and most automotive fluids, making it an excellent choice for residential garages and demanding commercial environments.

Why Choose GarageGuard Epoxy Floor Paint?

• 2-part waterborne epoxy system

• Excellent resistance to hot-tire pickup

• Resists most automobile fluids

• Excellent abrasion and impact resistance

• Durable semi-gloss finish

• Suitable for residential and commercial floors

• Fast return to service

• Easy soap-and-water cleanup

• May be applied over many sound existing coating types

• Available in ready-made Showroom Grey and Desert Sand

• Tint bases available

• Approximately 250–300 sq. ft. coverage per 3.79 L kit

• Designed for interior concrete floors

Recommended Uses

GarageGuard is designed for interior concrete floors including:

• Garage floors

• Basement floors

• Warehouses

• Transportation facilities

• Food and beverage processing areas

• Industrial refurbishment

• Healthcare facilities

• Schools

• Commercial buildings

• Industrial and commercial flooring

Interior Use Only

GarageGuard is designed for interior concrete surfaces.

Epoxy coatings exposed to direct exterior sunlight can chalk and fade, and GarageGuard should not be treated as an exterior floor coating.

It is also not recommended for immersion service or acidic exposures.

Coverage

Approximate coverage:

250–300 sq. ft. per 3.79 L kit

Coverage will vary according to the porosity and texture of the concrete.

Recommended film thickness per coat:

Wet: 5.3–6.4 mils
Dry: 2.2–2.7 mils

Benjamin Moore recommends 2 coats.

Drying & Return to Service

At approximately 25°C (77°F) and 50% relative humidity:

Tack Free: 2 hours
Recoat: 8 hours
Light Foot Traffic: 24 hours
Heavy Foot Traffic: 48 hours
Cool Tires: 72 hours
Hot Tires: 5–7 days

Cool temperatures and high humidity will increase drying and curing times.

If more than 48 hours passes between coats, abrade the surface before recoating to ensure proper inter-coat adhesion.

Maximum abrasion and chemical resistance develops as the coating reaches full cure.

Surface Preparation

Proper concrete preparation is essential for GarageGuard performance.

The floor must be clean and free from:

• Dirt

• Dust

• Grease

• Oil

• Loose material

• Other contaminants that could interfere with adhesion

Clean grease and oil thoroughly with an appropriate degreaser or oil-and-grease emulsifier.

Rinse thoroughly and allow the concrete to dry completely before coating.

New & Bare Concrete

New concrete must cure for a minimum of 30 days before GarageGuard is applied.

Repair cracks and damaged areas with an appropriate concrete patching material.

Bare concrete must be properly profiled to promote adhesion. Follow Benjamin Moore's current technical instructions for etching and surface preparation.

After preparation, the surface should have a profile approximately equivalent to 80-grit sandpaper.

The concrete must also be dry enough to accept the coating.

Benjamin Moore specifies:

Concrete moisture content: 2% or less when measured with an appropriate masonry moisture meter

A plastic sheet test may also be used to check for excessive moisture or vapour transmission.

Previously Painted Concrete

GarageGuard can be applied over many properly prepared existing coatings.

Remove all:

• Loose paint

• Peeling coatings

• Unsound material

• Dust and contamination

Sand and feather damaged coating edges.

Test Existing Paint Adhesion

Benjamin Moore recommends testing the adhesion of the existing coating before applying GarageGuard.

Cut an X into the coating with a razor blade, firmly apply duct tape over the X and remove the tape quickly.

If more than approximately 25% of the coating at the X is removed, the existing coating should be removed before GarageGuard is applied.

Do not acid etch previously painted floors.

Mixing Instructions

GarageGuard is a 2-component epoxy consisting of a Base Component (A) and Converter Component (B).

Mix Ratio

3 parts Component A : 1 part Component B by volume

Thoroughly mix each component individually before combining them.

Combine the complete A and B components and mix thoroughly using a low-speed drill mixer.

Induction Time

After mixing, allow the material to stand for:

30 minutes at approximately 25°C (77°F)

This induction period is important and should remain consistent between kits.

Pot Life

Once mixed:

Approximately 4 hours at 25°C (77°F)

Do not mix partial kits.

Only mix material that can be applied within the usable pot life.

Application

GarageGuard can be applied by:

• Brush

• Roller

• Airless spray

• Conventional air spray

Roller

Use a:

10–13 mm (3/8"–1/2") nap roller

Select the nap according to the texture and condition of the floor.

Keep the roller wet and roll in one direction.

Brush

Use a quality synthetic brush.

Airless Spray

Recommended:

Tip: .015–.019"
Minimum fluid pressure at tip: 2,100 PSI

Do not allow mixed epoxy to remain in spray equipment.

Thinning

GarageGuard may be thinned with water only when required.

Do not exceed:

10% reduction

Application Conditions

Recommended surface temperature:

Minimum: 10°C (50°F)
Maximum: 32.2°C (90°F)

GarageGuard will not cure properly when the surface temperature is below 10°C.

Do not apply when the surface temperature is within approximately 5°F of the dew point.

GarageGuard Colours

Ready-made colours include:

• Showroom Grey

• Desert Sand

Tint bases are also available for additional colour options.

Actual colour availability may vary.

Semi-Gloss Finish

GarageGuard produces a durable semi-gloss finish that is easy to clean and well suited to residential and commercial concrete floors.

All glossy floor coatings can become slippery, particularly when wet.

Where additional slip resistance is required, use an appropriate anti-slip aggregate.

Technical Specifications

Product: INSL-X GarageGuard Waterborne Epoxy
Manufacturer: Benjamin Moore / INSL-X
Product Code: EGG-XXXX
Generic Type: Amine Adduct Epoxy
Components: 2
Mix Ratio: 3:1 by volume
Finish: Semi-Gloss
Recommended Coats: 2
Coverage: 250–300 sq. ft./3.79 L
Tack Free: 2 hours
Recoat: 8 hours
Light Foot Traffic: 24 hours
Heavy Foot Traffic: 48 hours
Cool Tire Traffic: 72 hours
Hot Tire Traffic: 5–7 days
Induction Time: 30 minutes at 25°C
Pot Life: Approx. 4 hours at 25°C
Volume Solids: 42 ± 1%
VOC: 210.7 g/L catalyzed; maximum <250 g/L
Application Temperature: 10–32.2°C
Airless Tip: .015–.019"
Airless Pressure: Minimum 2,100 PSI at tip
Cleanup: Soap and water
Interior/Exterior: Interior
Recommended Surface: Concrete

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Benjamin Moore GarageGuard?

GarageGuard is a two-component waterborne epoxy floor coating designed for interior concrete floors. It provides excellent resistance to abrasion, impact, hot-tire pickup and most automobile fluids.

Is GarageGuard good for garage floors?

Yes. Garage floors are one of the primary applications for GarageGuard. It is specifically formulated for durable protection of residential and commercial concrete floors.

Is GarageGuard resistant to hot tires?

Yes. Benjamin Moore specifically lists excellent resistance to hot-tire pickup as a feature of GarageGuard. Allow the coating to cure for approximately 5–7 days before exposure to hot tires.

Can GarageGuard be used on basement floors?

Yes. GarageGuard is recommended for properly prepared interior concrete basement floors.

Can GarageGuard be used outside?

GarageGuard is specified for interior use. Epoxy coatings exposed to direct exterior sunlight can chalk and fade.

How many coats of GarageGuard are required?

Benjamin Moore recommends 2 coats.

How much does one GarageGuard kit cover?

One 3.79 L kit covers approximately 250–300 sq. ft. per coat, depending on concrete texture and porosity.

How long does GarageGuard take to dry?

At approximately 25°C and 50% relative humidity, GarageGuard is tack-free in about 2 hours and can be recoated after approximately 8 hours.

When can I walk on a GarageGuard floor?

Allow approximately 24 hours for light foot traffic and 48 hours for heavy foot traffic under normal drying conditions.

When can I park a car on GarageGuard?

Benjamin Moore specifies approximately 72 hours for cool tires and 5–7 days for hot tires. Cooler temperatures or higher humidity can extend curing times.

Does new concrete need to cure before applying GarageGuard?

Yes. New concrete should cure for at least 30 days before application.

Can GarageGuard be applied over existing floor paint?

GarageGuard can be applied over many sound existing coatings after proper preparation. Existing paint should be tested for adhesion first. Loose, peeling or poorly adhered coatings must be removed.

Do I need to etch bare concrete?

Bare concrete must be properly profiled before application. Benjamin Moore's current TDS provides etching procedures to produce a surface profile approximately equivalent to 80-grit sandpaper.

Should I etch a previously painted floor?

No. Benjamin Moore specifically states not to use muriatic acid or other etching materials on previously painted floors.

What is the mixing ratio for GarageGuard?

GarageGuard is mixed at a 3:1 ratio by volume, combining three parts Component A with one part Component B.

Can I mix only part of a GarageGuard kit?

Benjamin Moore does not recommend mixing partial kits. Mix the complete A and B components according to the manufacturer's instructions.

How long is GarageGuard usable after mixing?

The pot life is approximately 4 hours at 25°C (77°F).

Does GarageGuard need an induction period after mixing?

Yes. After thoroughly mixing Components A and B, allow approximately 30 minutes of induction time at 25°C (77°F) before application.

Can GarageGuard be sprayed?

Yes. For airless spraying, Benjamin Moore specifies a .015–.019" tip with at least 2,100 PSI fluid pressure at the tip.

How do I clean GarageGuard tools?

Clean brushes, rollers and other equipment with soap and water immediately after use.

Is GarageGuard slippery?

Like other smooth or glossy floor coatings, GarageGuard can become slippery, particularly when wet. Where additional slip resistance is required, Benjamin Moore recommends using an appropriate anti-slip aggregate.