Duraguard Protective Coating Solutions
Commercial & Industrial Concrete Floor Systems & polishing
Durapoxy TCX — 94% Solids High-Build Epoxy Primer & Seal Coat
The Foundation Every High-Performance Floor System Starts With
A floor coating system is only as strong as what goes down first. Durapoxy TCX is Duraguard’s high-build epoxy primer and seal coat — a 94% solids, penetrating epoxy formulation engineered to prepare concrete substrates for high-performance topcoat and urethane concrete systems. Applied as the first coat in a multi-layer floor system, Durapoxy TCX penetrates deep into the concrete, seals the substrate, prevents outgassing, and creates the mechanical bond that everything above it depends on. Installed by Duraguard Protective Coating Solutions throughout Wisconsin and Illinois since 1993, Durapoxy TCX is the critical first step in every Durapoxy and Duraclad system we install.
What Is a High-Build Epoxy Primer?
A primer is not just a first coat — it is a system component with a specific job. Where a standard topcoat sits on top of the concrete surface, a high-build penetrating primer like Durapoxy TCX soaks into the concrete’s pore structure, filling voids, sealing the substrate, and locking the system mechanically to the slab.
Concrete is a porous material. When a high-solids topcoat is applied directly to unsealed concrete, two problems occur. First, the concrete absorbs the coating unevenly, creating weak spots and inconsistent film thickness. Second, air trapped in the concrete’s pore structure releases upward through the wet coating as it cures — a process called outgassing — creating pinholes, bubbles, and surface defects that compromise both appearance and performance.
Durapoxy TCX solves both problems. Its 94% solids formulation is engineered with enough penetrating capability to fill concrete pores and seal the substrate completely before the topcoat is applied. The result is a uniform, defect-free surface that gives the topcoat the foundation it needs to perform at full specification.
Why Durapoxy TCX?
Deep Penetration — Seals the Substrate
Durapoxy TCX is formulated at 94% solids — slightly below 100% — specifically to maintain the penetrating viscosity needed to enter and fill the concrete’s pore structure. A 100% solids material is too dense to penetrate effectively as a primer. TCX’s formulation gives it the flow characteristics to wet out the substrate, fill surface voids, and create a continuous seal across the entire slab before the finish system is applied.
Prevents Outgassing — Eliminates Pinholes and Bubbles
Outgassing is one of the most common causes of coating failures and surface defects in epoxy floor installations. As concrete releases trapped air upward through a curing topcoat, it creates pinholes, craters, and bubbles that compromise both the appearance and the integrity of the finished floor. Durapoxy TCX seals the concrete pores before the topcoat is applied, stopping outgassing at the source and delivering a smooth, defect-free surface.
High-Build Formula — Fills Surface Voids
As a high-build primer, Durapoxy TCX applies at a film thickness that fills minor surface irregularities, bug holes, and substrate imperfections left after surface preparation. This creates a uniform receiving surface for the topcoat and eliminates the thin spots and voids that lead to premature wear and coating failure.
Strong Mechanical Bond — The System Foundation
The performance of every coating system above Durapoxy TCX depends on the quality of the bond between the primer and the concrete. TCX is formulated to create a strong mechanical and chemical bond with properly prepared concrete substrates, giving Durapoxy TC, Duraclad 903, and other finish systems the foundation they need to achieve full adhesion and design service life.
Compatible With the Full Durapoxy and Duraclad System
Durapoxy TCX is engineered as the primer layer for Duraguard’s complete coating system lineup — under Durapoxy TC topcoats, under urethane concrete systems like Duraclad 903, and under other high-performance finish coats. It is the common starting point for virtually every multi-coat system Duraguard installs.
8 to 12 Hour Cure
Durapoxy TCX cures in 8 to 12 hours under normal conditions, keeping multi-coat installation schedules on track and allowing finish coats to be applied the following shift or the next day without extended delays.
Where Durapoxy TCX Is Used
Under Durapoxy TC Topcoat Systems
In standard multi-coat epoxy floor systems, Durapoxy TCX goes down first as the primer and seal coat, followed by Durapoxy TC as the pigmented topcoat. The TCX layer seals the concrete and prevents outgassing that would compromise the TC finish coat, while providing the adhesion foundation the entire system is built on.
Under Duraclad 903 Urethane Concrete
In food processing, brewery, pharmaceutical, and other extreme-environment installations where Duraclad 903 urethane concrete is specified, Durapoxy TCX serves as the primer coat that prepares the substrate and ensures full adhesion of the urethane concrete system above it. Proper priming is critical in urethane concrete installations — without it, the system cannot achieve its full bonding strength or design service life.
Food and Beverage Processing Facilities
Any food processing installation that specifies a Durapoxy or Duraclad finish system begins with Durapoxy TCX. The primer’s sealing properties are especially important in facilities with older or more porous concrete slabs where outgassing risk is elevated.
Manufacturing and Industrial Floors
In manufacturing environments where floor systems face heavy traffic, chemical exposure, and mechanical stress, the quality of the primer coat directly affects how long the finish system performs. Durapoxy TCX gives industrial floor systems the adhesion and substrate seal they need to deliver full service life.
Any Application Requiring a High-Performance Topcoat
Whenever a high-solids topcoat is being applied over concrete — whether Durapoxy TC, a decorative flake system, or a urethane concrete topping — Durapoxy TCX is the right primer to start with. Skipping the primer coat or using an inadequate primer is the most common cause of premature floor coating failure.
The Duraguard Installation Process
Surface preparation is the most important step in any floor coating installation, and Durapoxy TCX depends on a properly prepared substrate to perform as designed. Duraguard prepares concrete by diamond grinding or shot blasting to open the surface profile and remove any existing coatings, oils, or contaminants that would prevent proper primer penetration and adhesion.
Once the substrate is prepared, Durapoxy TCX is applied at the correct film thickness and allowed to cure before the finish coat is applied. Duraguard’s installation crews understand the specific mixing ratios, application temperatures, and recoat windows required to keep multi-coat systems on schedule and performing to specification.
We work around your production schedule, including nights and weekends, to minimize downtime during installation.
Service Area
Duraguard installs Durapoxy TCX primer and seal coat systems throughout southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois including Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Waukegan, Gurnee, Libertyville, and surrounding areas.
Get a Free Floor Assessment
If your facility requires a high-performance floor coating system — or if your current floor is failing and you need an evaluation — contact Duraguard today for a free on-site assessment. We will evaluate your current floor condition, review your operational requirements, and recommend the right system starting with the right primer.
Call us at (833) 387-2482 or use our contact form to request your free evaluation.
Duraguard Protective Coating Solutions is proud to align with leading industry organizations that set the standard for flooring excellence and business integrity. We follow the guidelines and technical standards established by the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI), ensuring every project meets rigorous industry benchmarks. As an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), we are committed to transparency, trust, and customer satisfaction. Duraguard is also recognized through Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), reflecting our dedication to Wisconsin’s manufacturing and business community.