1 What Does Your Surface Preparation Process Look Like?
Surface preparation is the foundation of any successful coating installation. Proper preparation ensures that the coating bonds well and lasts for years. Without it, even the best products will fail prematurely. Peeling, bubbling, and delamination can appear within months.
Key steps every professional contractor should perform:
- Industrial concrete diamond grinding to open the surface profile
- Crack routing and polyurea filler repair
- Thorough dust and debris removal
- Proper surface profiling (CSP 2 to 3) for maximum adhesion
Always ask the contractor to explain their preparation process in detail. If they cannot or will not explain it, that is a red flag. Preparation is what separates a 15 year floor from one that fails in 2.
2 Are Your Products Better Than Other Companies' Products?
Many homeowners assume that one company has access to exclusive products, but most professional coatings come from the same reputable manufacturers. What truly matters is the combination of how those materials are used, not which brand name is on the bucket.
What actually determines quality:
- Proper surface preparation before any product touches the floor
- A well designed layered coating system with the right materials for each role
- Experienced, hands on installation with attention to thickness and coverage
At Coating Commander, our Triple Threat System combines polyurea for crack repairs, industrial grade epoxy for the foundation bond, and a polyaspartic topcoat for long term durability and easy cleaning. All in one day.
3 Are You a Local Company?
Local companies are accountable to their community in ways that national franchises and out-of-town crews simply aren't. When you hire local, you're hiring someone who lives in the same city, serves your neighbors, and depends on word-of-mouth referrals to grow their business.
Knowing your contractor is local provides real peace of mind. If something ever needs attention after installation, they are a phone call away and not a helpdesk ticket to a regional office.
Coating Commander is born, raised, and operating in the KC metro. We know this climate, the freeze thaw cycles, the summer heat, and the road salt better than any out of town crew ever could.
4 Who Owns the Company and Are They Involved in the Installation?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask. There's a significant difference between a company where the owner is on the job every single day versus one that sends out subcontractors or junior crews while the owner manages operations from an office.
Contractors whose owners or senior team members are hands-on during the install tend to deliver higher-quality results because their reputation is literally on every floor they touch.
Josh Burnett personally meets with every customer, assesses every floor, and installs every Coating Commander job. When you hire us, you are dealing directly with the owner from estimate to final coat.
! Sales Tactics Homeowners Should Watch For
Some contractors use promotional offers or "limited-time" discounts as a pressure tactic to get you to sign quickly. While legitimate promotions do exist, homeowners should review any estimate carefully before committing.
In some cases, promotional discounts are already built into the original pricing. The sale price is really just the regular price with a crossed out number above it. Always ask what the pricing is based on and get it in writing.
The most important factors to evaluate in any estimate are:
- Preparation methods. Are they grinding, or just acid etching?
- Coating system quality. How many layers, what materials, what thickness?
- Installer experience. Who is actually doing the work on your floor?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Triple Threat System?
The Triple Threat System is Coating Commander's three layer floor coating process: a polyurea crack repair layer, a 100% solids epoxy base coat, and a UV stable polyaspartic topcoat. Each layer serves a specific purpose including repair, adhesion, and protection resulting in a floor backed by a 15 year warranty.
How long does a garage floor coating installation take?
Most Coating Commander installations are completed in a single day. Diamond grinding, crack repair, base coat, and topcoat are all done in one visit. You can typically return to normal garage use within 24 hours.
What should I ask a contractor about surface preparation?
Ask specifically whether they use diamond grinding to a CSP 2 to 3 profile. Shot blasting and acid etching are inferior methods. Also ask how they handle cracks. They should be routed and filled with polyurea, not just coated over. Poor prep is the number one reason garage floor coatings fail early.
What is the difference between epoxy and polyaspartic floor coating?
Epoxy is a 100% solids base coat that bonds directly to prepared concrete and provides structural strength. Polyaspartic is a UV stable topcoat with Shore D 85+ hardness that resists fading, chemicals, and abrasion. The best systems use both: epoxy below, polyaspartic on top.
Why does it matter if the owner is on every job?
When the owner is on site, quality stays consistent and you are never handed off to an unsupervised crew. Josh Burnett personally oversees every Coating Commander installation in Kansas City, which is why every floor qualifies for the 15 year warranty.
How do I know if a contractor's pricing is fair?
Ask for a flat rate, itemized estimate with no hidden fees or upsells. Be cautious of contractors offering large same day discounts. This is a high pressure sales tactic. A reputable contractor will explain exactly what is included: prep method, coating system, number of layers, and warranty terms.
Final Thoughts
Asking these questions helps homeowners make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. The difference between a floor that lasts 15 years and one that fails in 2 almost always comes down to the contractor's preparation, system, and commitment to quality. Not the brand of product in the bucket.
A well executed coating system, like Coating Commander's Triple Threat System, provides long lasting results and protects your investment for years to come. We stand behind every floor with a 15 year warranty because we know the work was done right.
Over 7 years of hands on garage floor coating experience in the Kansas City metro. Every floor is personally installed by Josh.