TACKLING PINHOLES
WITH LABSURFACE INNOVATION

At Labsurface, we’ve always been committed to finding innovative solutions that allow our customers and their business to be more profitable and grow, and pinhole mitigation is no exception. Pinholes are more than just a minor inconvenience—they’re a significant challenge that can impact the quality, durability, and aesthetics of flooring systems and cost both time and money to repair. That’s why we’ve taken a proactive approach to not only address this issue but to set a new standard in the industry with advanced technology integrated directly into our products.

UNDERSTANDING PINHOLES

Pinholes — Small, pesky imperfections in concrete coatings—are a common challenge in the flooring industry. These tiny air pockets are caused by outgassing, a natural phenomenon where air escapes through the pores of concrete. This process often leads to blisters and coating defects, which compromise the visual appeal and durability of flooring systems.

CAUSES OF PINHOLES

  1. Porous concrete:Highly porous concrete can release air or moisture, leading to pinholes in the applied coating.
  2. Environmental factor:High humidity or rapid temperature changes can exacerbate the issue.
  3. Application issues:
    • Applying the coating too thick
    • Using rollers or brushes improperly can introduce air bubbles.

 

PROBLEMS CAUSED BY PINHOLES

  1. Costly repairs and time-consuming labor:Pinholes require extra materials and labor, increasing project costs and delays.
  2. Compromised aesthetic:Pinholes can make the topcoat look uneven or unprofessional.
  3. Performance issues: In waterproofing or moisture mitigation coatings, pinholes can allow humidity, water, dirt, or other contaminants to penetrate the surface.

TRADITIONAL SOLUTIONS FOR PINHOLES

Before the introduction of our new Pinhole Mitigation Technology, Labsurface recommended several techniques to minimize pinhole formation:

  1. Tight squeegee application without back rolling: Using an epoxy primer applied with a tight squeegee and avoiding back rolling prevents resin from being pulled out of microchannels, reducing the risk of pinholes.
  2. Sand broadcasts: Partial or full silica sand broadcasts during application create a barrier that helps block escaping air and fills micro voids, resulting in fewer pinholes.
  3. Addressing defects promptly during application:
    Rolling over bubbles during the product’s working time bursts them and prevents them from curing as pinholes.
  4. Post-curing repairs: Persistent pinholes after curing can be addressed with targeted solutions like EPOXY CRACKFILLER for small defects or additional sand broadcast in subsequent coats.

While these methods have proven effective, Labsurface wanted to take pinhole prevention to the next level with a solution integrated directly into our products.

INTRODUCING LABSURFACE’S
PINHOLE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGY

Labsurface’s R&D team has developed a groundbreaking Pinhole Mitigation Technology, designed to minimize outgassing-related pinholes from the very start. This innovation, mitigating pinholes up to 98%1, is being integrated into all our epoxy products, both clear and pre-tinted, creating a new benchmark for quality and reliability in the coatings industry.

Our cutting-edge pinhole mitigation technology utilizes advanced formulations that outperform traditional solutions. It ensures a smoother application process, significantly reduces pinhole formation, increased productivity and delivers a smoother, more aesthetic coatings every time.

1 While our testing was conducted under various job site conditions, it is important to note that conditions may vary significantly from one site to another, potentially leading to different outcomes. Our testing was performed side by side with standard epoxies widely used in the industry. The results demonstrated up to a 98% reduction in pinholes.

PRODUCTS INCORPORATING THE NEW TECHNOLOGY

with this recent groundbreaking improvement, Labsurface’s R&D team is working to implement the Pinhole Mitigation Technology in multiple LABPOX® epoxy coatings products:

LABPOX® 30 – Clear & Pre-tinted
Field tests have shown excellent results, with up to 98% fewer pinholes reported during applications.

LABPOX® FAST CURE
& LABPOX® 40 UV
These products now benefit from this enhanced performance.

LABPOX® MVB FAST
Implementation of the newest technology has started in R&D with early tests confirming consistent and reliable pinhole mitigating behavior like LABPOX 30.

LABPOX® 35
possesses already pinhole mitigating technology and additional evaluation is underway to determine if further improvements can be achieved

REDEFINING INDUSTRY STANDARDS

At Labsurface, innovation drives everything we do. By integrating our Pinhole Mitigation Technology across all LABPOX epoxy coatings products, we’re delivering smoother, defect-free finishes and a more efficient application process, driving cost savings for our partners and customers.

This breakthrough is more than a solution—it’s a revolution and demonstrate Labsurface’s ongoing commitment to leadership in the industry. Whether you’re using clear or pre-tinted epoxies, you can count on Labsurface for advanced, high-performance products that stand apart from the competition.

Stay tuned as we expand this innovative technology throughout our product lines, further proving that Labsurface is a pioneer in reliable and innovative concrete coatings.