Coating a garage floor yourself in Lincoln comes down to three things: the right weather window, a properly prepped slab and enough material to hit full thickness. Here is how each one plays out locally.
Every kit ships from our shop in Queen Creek, Arizona, and comes with free phone support from the people who mix and pack it. Call 602.600.0781 with questions before, during or after your install.
Lincoln at a glance for epoxy work
| Typical July high | About 89°F |
| Typical January low | About 14°F |
| Average yearly snowfall | About 26 inches |
| Humidity | High in summer |
| Best pour window | Late May through mid September |
| Kits for a two car garage | 4 kits for 400 sq ft (1 kit = 100 sq ft) |
Temperatures and snowfall are rounded long term averages for the city and are meant for planning. Always check the forecast and measure your actual garage and slab temperature on pour day.
How Lincoln weather affects your epoxy pour
With July highs around 89°F, Lincoln summers sit comfortably inside the 41°F to 90°F application range on most days. The ideal cure temperature is 68°F to 77°F, which many Lincoln garages hit naturally from late spring through early fall.
Winter is the bigger constraint. January lows average around 14°F and an unheated slab holds that cold long after the air warms. Do not pour below 41°F, and for the best result wait until the slab itself stays above 60°F through the day and night.
Summer humidity in Lincoln often climbs above the 65 percent limit, so check a hygrometer before you mix. Lower humidity days give the cleanest finish.
Lincoln averages roughly 26 inches of snow a year, which means road salt, deicers and meltwater on the garage floor all winter. A sealed quartz epoxy surface keeps that brine out of the concrete and wipes clean instead of soaking in.
Best time of year to pour in Lincoln
For most Lincoln garages, the most forgiving window is late May through mid September. In that stretch you can usually count on the slab staying between 60°F and 85°F through the 72 hour cure, which gives you full working time and a consistent finish.
Prepping a Lincoln garage slab
Cold winters and hot humid summers squeeze the best windows into late spring and early fall. Unheated garages stay cold well after the air warms.
Before anything else, do the water droplet test. Sprinkle water on the bare concrete. If it soaks in within about 30 seconds, the surface is ready to grind and coat. If it beads up, there is a sealer, paint or contamination that has to come off first.
For Lincoln garages that have seen years of salt and freeze thaw, we strongly recommend a primer under the epoxy. It seals porous, weathered concrete and gives the coating a better bond.
Our full step by step process is on the installation instructions page.
Which kit fits your Lincoln project
Indoor quartz sand epoxy self leveling floor kit. This is the kit for garages, workshops, basements and other interior concrete, in Marble Grey, Desert Grey or Black. The quartz aggregate gives a thicker, more textured and more slip resistant surface than standard garage floor paint or thin water based epoxy. It is made for indoor use and does not have strong UV protection, so keep it out of direct, all day sun.
Outdoor washed stone quartz epoxy floor kit. With as much sun as Lincoln gets, patios, walkways and porches should get the outdoor system rather than the indoor kit. It comes in four stone colors and covers up to 100 square feet per kit. The washed stone finish lets water pass through, so it is not a waterproofing membrane. Over a basement or living space, a separate waterproofing layer is needed underneath.
Tools. To spread and finish the coating you need a 22 inch squeegee with pole, a 20 inch defoaming roller and an extension pole for the roller. Our epoxy tool kit adds a tool bag, spiked shoes for walking on the wet coat and five finishing trowels.
How many kits you need
One kit covers 100 square feet at the target thickness of about one eighth inch. No guessing. Measure the length and width of the floor, multiply, divide by 100 and round up. A one car garage is about 200 square feet and takes 2 kits, a two car garage is about 400 square feet and takes 4 kits, and a two and a half car garage is about 500 square feet and takes 5 kits. Do not stretch coverage, since a thin coat will not level properly.
Questions Lincoln customers ask
When is the best time to epoxy a garage floor in Lincoln?
For most Lincoln garages the best window is late May through mid September. You want the garage between 41°F and 90°F, ideally 68°F to 77°F, with humidity under 65 percent.
How much does a DIY epoxy garage floor cost in Lincoln?
One kit covers 100 square feet, so a standard two car garage of 400 square feet takes 4 kits. At current pricing that is $996 in Marble Grey or Desert Grey and $1,200 in Black. If you do not own them, add about $95 for the squeegee, defoaming roller and extension pole, plus primer if your slab needs it. Professional installs are often quoted around $4 to $10 per square foot, which puts the same garage at roughly $1,600 to $4,000.
Can I use the indoor quartz epoxy kit on a patio in Lincoln?
The indoor kit is made for garages, shops and interior floors and does not have strong UV protection, so it can yellow in direct sun. For patios, porches and walkways, use our outdoor washed stone kit. It covers up to 100 square feet per kit, and because the washed stone finish lets water pass through, it is not a waterproofing membrane.
How long before I can park on my new floor?
Light foot traffic is fine after 24 hours, the coating reaches full cure around 72 hours, and you can drive and park on it after about 5 days. In cooler Lincoln garages below 55°F, allow extra time.
Will road salt damage an epoxy floor in Lincoln?
A sealed epoxy surface keeps salt brine out of the concrete, which is one of the main reasons people coat their garage in snow country. Sweep and rinse salt off regularly through winter and clean with a pH neutral cleaner rather than harsh chemicals.
Do I need a primer under the epoxy?
Primer is sold separately and is strongly recommended for older or porous concrete, slabs that were painted or sealed, floors with past moisture issues and any garage that sees heavy vehicle traffic. It seals the pores and gives the coating a stronger bond.
Do I have to grind the concrete, or can I acid etch it?
We recommend grinding. An angle grinder with a diamond cup wheel or a rented floor grinder gives the concrete a texture like 60 grit sandpaper that the epoxy can grip. Acid etching is less consistent and can leave residue behind, which is a common cause of peeling.
How do I clean an epoxy garage floor?
Sweep or dust mop to remove grit, then mop with a pH neutral cleaner in warm water. Avoid vinegar, citrus cleaners, bleach and harsh solvents, which can dull the finish over time. Wipe oil and chemical spills right away.
Ready to start your Lincoln garage floor
Talk to us about square footage, color and prep before you order. We are available Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm Arizona time.
Nearby and similar climate guides: Omaha, NE, Chicago, IL, Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Boston, MA. See all city guides.