Labsurface LABSHIELD 85 / 85 PRO is a premium polyaspartic coating system engineered for high UV stability, zero hot-tire pick-up, superior chemical and salt resistance, and rapid next-day return to service.
Below is a breakdown of its primary applications and essential contractor tips for field installation.
🛠️ Key Applications
1. Clear Topcoat for Garage Flake Systems
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Application: Applied over fully broadcasted, scraped, and swept flake layers.
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Benefits: Delivers a crystal-clear, high-gloss finish with extreme hardness and scratch resistance. It creates a 100% non-porous barrier against road salt, motor oil, and automotive fluids.
2. Exterior Porches, Steps, and Walkways
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Application: Ideal for exposed concrete entryways, stairs, and outdoor foot-traffic areas.
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Benefits: Exceptional UV stability prevents yellowing or embrittlement under direct sunlight, while flexibility allows it to withstand Canadian freeze-thaw cycles without delaminating.
3. Commercial Floors (Rapid Return to Service)
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Application: High-traffic retail spaces, restaurants, offices, and showrooms.
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Benefits: Rapid curing significantly reduces downtime, allowing commercial clients to resume operations in as little as 24 hours.
💡 Pro Installation Tips & Best Practices
1. Strictly Manage Pot Life & Pail Exotherm
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Fact: Polyaspartic systems react and cure much faster than traditional epoxies.
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Tip: Mix only what your crew can spread within a 15 to 20-minute working window. Immediately ribbon (pour out) the mixed material onto the floor—leaving it in the pail causes heat accumulation (exotherm) that drastically cuts working time.
2. Monitor Relative Humidity Closely
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Fact: Polyaspartic technology relies on ambient moisture to cure (moisture-cure reaction).
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Tip: High humidity significantly accelerates curing speed and narrows your working window. On high-humidity days, tighten team roles so one installer ribbons/squeegees while another immediately follows behind to back-roll.
3. Use the Right Roller & Cross-Rolling Technique
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Tip: Use an 18-inch lint-free, solvent-resistant 3/8" nap roller. Spread material using a squeegee, roll in W/X patterns, and finish with a smooth cross-roll to ensure consistent film thickness, eliminating roller marks and sheen variations.
4. Ensure CSP 2–3 Mechanical Surface Prep
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Bare Concrete: Grind the slab to a Concrete Surface Profile (CSP) of 2–3 to open the pores.
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Over Existing Coatings: If the previous coat exceeds its recoat window, mechanically abrade the entire surface with 60–80 grit sandpaper until a uniform dull finish is achieved. Vacuum thoroughly and wipe down with Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) before applying 85 PRO.
5. Apply a Primer/Seal Coat on Porous Concrete
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Tip: Applying 85 PRO directly to porous, unsealed raw concrete can trap expanding air, resulting in micro-bubbles or pinholes. Apply a thin primer/seal coat first to lock the pores before laying down your main build coat.