From the assembly line to the showroom floor and every place in between, facilities that manufacture, sell, and repair automobiles must be equipped with flooring systems that can handle the unique demands of the automotive industry. Concrete slabs alone are not enough to withstand the wear and tear of servicing motor vehicles: they scratch easily, are affected by contact with hot tires, provide a porous surface that absorbs spilled liquids, leaving behind stains and over time, can produce a fine dust that can be harmful if inhaled.
However, concrete slabs provide a foundation onto which a more advanced flooring system can be installed. Epoxy flooring systems and other resinous coatings produced by OldstoneCoatings are multi-layered flooring systems installed as liquids for a smooth, nearly seamless surface. They are tough, strong and durable, and in many cases, can even be used to resurface and restore badly deteriorated concrete surfaces.
Among the countless types of facilities in the automotive industry, all share a common need: flooring that can withstand the weight of automobiles and other transport vehicles on a daily basis. Epoxy, polyurethane, and similar fluid-applied flooring systems are installed to create a strong, solid, virtually seamless surface to minimize vulnerabilities wherein uncoated concrete would eventually begin to scratch, chip, or crumble. With the heavy machinery used in certain automotive industry settings, the flooring system must possess exceptional compressive and tensile strength, plus outstanding abrasion resistance and the ability to withstand impact when items fall from forklifts or when mechanics inadvertently drop small tools.
In automotive, truck and other vehicle production and repair, a variety of harsh and potentially dangerous chemicals are often used. Even with the most diligent and careful employees, spills are inevitable, so the facility must be equipped with flooring that can easily withstand contact with corrosive substances. Damage to the flooring itself isn’t the only concern – unsealed concrete slabs are porous and can absorb the liquids spilled onto them. In addition to creating unsightly stains, this can also be very dangerous. Over time, chemicals can leach through the slab into the soil underneath, posing an environmental hazard. Impervious high performance epoxy and other floor coating systems can help mitigate this risk by isolating spilled materials on the surface, where they can be properly contained and disposed of in accordance with local regulations.
Need help determining which floor coating system is right for your automotive sector flooring? Then try our helper bot to find what suits your needs right now! Or you can always call us to discuss your flooring needs with a friendly professional. You can also submit our contact form and we’ll get back to you with an estimate.
