Step-by-Step Installation Guide for Car Park Deck Coatings

ARDEX ENDURA
09 Oct 2025
05 Min

Importance of Coating Systems for Car Park Decks

The alarming increase in personal vehicle usage is creating significant challenges in providing safe and efficient parking systems. Congested roads and the unavailability of common parking spaces have intensified the need for car parking solutions, particularly multi-level car park systems in both residential and commercial spaces.

By investing in coatings, owners can significantly reduce their maintenance costs. Moreover, they can create safer environments for both drivers and pedestrians.

Surface Assessment Before Installation

Every successful installation starts with a thorough check of the car parking flooring surface. Moisture should be the first factor to test. Excess moisture trapped inside concrete can exert pressure on the coating, leading to blistering or detachment. Equally important is strength testing, since weak concrete won’t be able to support a bonded finish.

A proper survey of the car parking floor should also:

Identify cracks, voids, and hollow areas.
Flag the existing coatings that need to be removed.
Pinpoint any oil, grease, or dust that will interfere with adhesion.

For example, for Ardex Endura’s CPS 25 PU, the slab should contain less than 5% moisture content, there should be no rising damp, and the environment should remain above 10°C. The relative humidity should stay under 85% during application.

Surface Preparation

Preparation can make or break the best coating job. The process typically begins with grinding or shot blasting, which removes laitance and gives the concrete a profile that the coatings can bond to. So, we recommend that all loose material be cleaned away with industrial vacuums.

Cracks or damaged patches in the car parking floor should be chased out and then filled using repair compounds that are designed to work with the chosen system. Priming those repairs helps them bond pretty seamlessly.

The primer step is also vital for the entire deck. Only primers that are compatible with the coating system should be used. This is because incorrect products can cause peeling or adhesion loss on the car parking flooring.

The level of roughness should also be adjusted for use. For example, use smoother finishes for parking bays, coarser textures for ramps or sharp turns where the grip is critical.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Once the deck is properly prepared, you can move to the installation in stages:

Primer Application: Apply a generous coat with a roller or brush. It helps by sealing the concrete and ensuring bonding.
Base Coat: This layer essentially smooths out minor irregularities and adds structural strength.
Anti-Skid Aggregates (Optional): It is applicable for ramps or turning areas. Coarse aggregate can be broadcast into the wet base coat to improve grip.
Top or Seal Coat: To enhance grip on ramps or turning areas, coarse aggregate can be sprinkled onto the wet base coat.

Curing times between the coats are critical. Light foot traffic is usually possible after 24 hours, and vehicle traffic can be resumed after five days. Full curing is typically achieved in about seven days. Additionally, it is essential to know that neglecting these intervals can have an impact on the overall life of the system.

Recommended ARDEX ENDURA Products for Car Park Coatings

TheCPS 25 PU system by Ardex Endura is designed to withstand the tough conditions of a car parking floor. It is a polyurethane, high-build coating that creates a seamless, anti-skid finish. Typical applications include multi-level parking decks, ramps, service centres, and even loading bays.

Its key features:

Excellent abrasion resistance (18 mg loss in ASTM D4060 testing).
Strong resistance to oils, coolants, and other automotive chemicals.
Slip resistance greater than 40 PTV, meeting safety standards.
Karsten tube test result of 0 ml/24 h, confirming waterproof performance.

The build-up normally includes primer, body coat, anti-slip aggregate, and a wear coat. For exposed decks, an additional UV-resistant finish is applied to keep colours vibrant and protect against unwanted chalking.

Post-Installation Checklist

Before opening the car park to users, a final review is essential.

Confirm curing has reached the correct stage: 24 hours for pedestrians, 5 days for vehicles, 7 days for full performance.
Carry out skid resistance testing if required by standards.
Inspect film thickness, colour uniformity, and coverage.
Double-check ramps, turning points, and expansion joints for weak spots.

Completing this checklist reduces early failures and ensures the system delivers long-lasting performance and durability as intended.

Maintenance Tips

Even the toughest coatings benefit from regular upkeep. Cleaning should, thus, be carried out periodically using mechanical scrubbing to remove tyre marks, oil, and dirt.

Other tips include:

Repairing chips, cracks, or worn spots promptly to stop water or chemicals from getting underneath.
Paying special attention to high-traffic areas like entrances, ramps, and pay lanes.
Refreshing line markings and re-sealing worn sections when necessary.

Conclusion

Coating systems are not just an add-on. They are essential for protecting concrete, ensuring safety, and reducing long-term maintenance costs in car parks.

With the CPS 25 PU system from Ardex Endura, operators gain a reliable, durable, and slip-resistant solution for every type of parking structure, right from basements to rooftop decks.