Water-Based vs Solvent-Based vs 100% Solids Epoxy: What Is the Difference?

All three are two-part epoxies. The difference is what else is in the can, and that decides how thick the coating ends up on your floor.

Water-based epoxy

Part of what you roll on is water, which evaporates as the coating dries. What is left behind is a thin film. Water-based epoxy is easy to apply and low in odor, which makes it a good primer, but on its own it wears through faster under hot tires and heavy traffic. We use water-based epoxy where it is strongest: as a primer, in P-015 Water-Based Epoxy Primer.

Solvent-based epoxy

Here the carrier is a solvent instead of water. It penetrates well, but the solvent also evaporates, so the dry film is thinner than what you applied. Solvent-based products have a strong odor, need good ventilation, and some are restricted in certain states.

100% solids epoxy

None of it evaporates, so one coat builds a thick, hard film that stands up to hot tires, oil, salt and dropped tools. It also levels out small surface imperfections as it cures. Our base coat, B-707 High Build Epoxy, is 100% solids.

Which one should you use?

For a garage, basement or shop floor that needs to last, use a 100% solids base coat over a properly prepared slab, then protect it with a topcoat. Every one of our floor systems is built that way.

Not sure what your slab needs? Call a coating expert at (877) 703-7699, or build your kit and we will size it for you.