Homeowners across Modesto are skipping the installer and coating their own garage floors. Our two part bisphenol A epoxy with quartz aggregate is built for that job, and the Modesto climate has a few things worth planning around before you open the first kit.
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.
Modesto at a glance for epoxy work
| Typical July high | About 93°F |
| Typical January low | About 38°F |
| Average yearly snowfall | Little to none |
| Humidity | Low |
| Best pour window | April through June and September through October |
| 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 Modesto weather affects your epoxy pour
Summer afternoons in Modesto average around 93°F, which puts many garages near or above the 90°F upper limit for application. Mid summer pours are possible if you start early and work in small batches, but spring and fall give you the full working time.
January lows near 38°F mean winter mornings can dip below the 41°F minimum. If you need to pour in the cold months, warm the garage for a day ahead so the slab, not just the air, is at temperature.
The dry air in Modesto works in your favor during cure, though it also means the surface skins over faster in heat, so keep a wet edge as you spread.
Best time of year to pour in Modesto
For most Modesto garages, the most forgiving window is April through June and September through October. 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 Modesto garage slab
Central Valley summers are hot and dry. Pour in the morning and keep the next kit somewhere cool until you need it.
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.
After grinding to a texture similar to 60 grit sandpaper, vacuum every bit of dust. Leftover dust acts as a barrier layer and is a common cause of peeling.
Our full step by step process is on the installation instructions page.
Which kit fits your Modesto 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 Modesto 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 Modesto customers ask
When is the best time to epoxy a garage floor in Modesto?
For most Modesto garages the best window is April through June and September through October. 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 Modesto?
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 Modesto?
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.
Should I fix cracks before I epoxy the garage?
Yes. Fill cracks, pits and holes with a concrete patch compound or a crack filler made for epoxy, and let repairs cure fully before you coat. Do not use silicone based fillers, because epoxy will not stick to them.
What is the difference between quartz epoxy and a flake floor?
A flake floor uses decorative vinyl chips broadcast into the coating for a speckled look on a smooth surface. Our system uses quartz sand aggregate, which gives a textured stone look with more grip underfoot. Both are epoxy based, but the finish and feel are different.
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.
Ready to start your Modesto 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: Los Angeles, CA, San Diego, CA, San Jose, CA, El Paso, TX, Albuquerque, NM. See all city guides.