Mile High Coatings Podcast

Epoxy floors have a reputation for being indestructible, so when a garage floor starts peeling, flaking, or delaminating, it feels like a total mystery. We sit down with David Nanninga, president and founder of Mile High Coatings, to explain what’s actually happening beneath your feet and why some coatings “stick” at first but fail once cars, abrasion, and daily wear put the bond to the concrete substrate to the test. If you’ve ever wondered what an early warning sign looks like, you’ll leave with a much sharper eye.

We also talk lifespan with real-world expectations: how long a professionally installed epoxy floor should last in a typical garage, what changes in commercial or industrial settings, and why a strong system and a solid warranty matter. From there, we compare epoxy flooring to polyaspartic flooring, including abrasion resistance, gloss retention, and UV stability for sun-exposed spaces. If you’re deciding between coatings for a garage, basement, patio, or shop, this will help you choose based on performance instead of hype. 

Finally, we get practical about failure prevention: concrete prep, grinding for the right profile, and the hidden impact of moisture vapor traveling up through a slab. We explain efflorescence in plain terms and why patios are often more prone to issues due to exposure and missing vapor barriers under the concrete. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with someone planning a floor project, and leave a review so more homeowners can avoid expensive coating mistakes.

To learn more about Mile High Coatings visit:
https://www.MileHighCoatings.com
Mile High Coatings
970-314-1023 

Winter is when a “quick repaint” can turn into a full-on shuffle of furniture, décor, and daily life. We sit down to talk through what homeowners and landlords should know before starting winter interior painting in Colorado, especially if the house is occupied and you’re trying to keep things comfortable while work gets done. From prep and sequencing to what makes an empty home so much easier to paint, we share the real-world details that help projects stay smooth.

We also dig into rental turnover and why timing hits hard in Northern Colorado, where university move-outs can create a rush of interior painting work. If you manage rentals, we talk about the constant tension between cost and durability, and why the cheapest option can backfire when you’re repainting again a year later. You’ll hear clear guidance on paint sheen selection for high-traffic spaces, including why flat paint struggles, why eggshell is often the practical sweet spot for walls, and why semi-gloss tends to win on doors and frequently touched surfaces.

On the product side, we answer common questions about dry times in colder weather, explain why indoor temperatures usually keep water-based paint performing normally, and how Colorado’s low humidity can speed drying. We also cover VOCs and indoor air quality, what “low-VOC” really means today, and simple steps like ventilation that can make the experience better without overcomplicating your paint choice. We wrap with a note on how color consultation can remove the stress of picking the right palette.

If you found this helpful, subscribe for more practical home and property painting advice, share this with someone planning a winter refresh, and leave a review to help other Colorado homeowners find the show.

To learn more about Mile High Coatings visit:
https://www.MileHighCoatings.com
Mile High Coatings
970-314-1023 

Tearing out concrete feels permanent, but it’s also loud, messy, expensive, and wasteful. We walk through a better option for many worn surfaces: concrete overlays, also known as microtopping, and how they can create a durable “new” floor with only a thin application on top of the slab you already have. If you’ve been staring at a beat-up basement floor, a weathered balcony, or an outdated main-level surface, this is the practical reset you’ve been looking for.

We explain what an overlay actually is: a polymer-modified cement system mixed with an acrylic modifier, applied in two to three coats at roughly 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick. That small build can make a big visual difference, leaving you with a clean substrate that’s ready for sealing and styling. We also get specific about where concrete resurfacing can work, including indoor and outdoor installs, and even certain cases over tile or wood substrates when prep and conditions are right.

Texture and finish matter, so we dig into application methods and the looks they create. From trowel and squeegee work to sprayed systems for spaces like pool decks, we cover options like broom-finish grip, knockdown texture, orange-peel profiles, and skip-trowel effects that can mimic stone or sandstone. The goal is simple: match the finish to the way you actually use the space.

Finally, we talk honestly about cost savings and the limits. Overlays are typically far more cost-friendly than demo and repour, especially indoors, but the slab still has to be structurally sound. If the surface is crumbling or severely deteriorated, replacement may be unavoidable. Subscribe for more real-world coating guidance, share this with a friend planning a remodel, and leave a review if it helps. Ready to price out your project? Visit MileHighCoatings.com or call 970-314-1023.

To learn more about Mile High Coatings visit:
https://www.MileHighCoatings.com
Mile High Coatings
970-314-1023 

“One-coat coverage” is one of the most expensive little promises in home improvement, especially once you see your wall in daylight. We talk with Mile High Coatings founder and president David Nanninga about the most common DIY painting mistakes he sees and how to avoid them before you burn a weekend and still end up with streaks, thin spots, or a patchy finish.

We dig into why Colorado interiors so often need two coats, and how knockdown drywall texture makes rollers miss tiny crevices on the first pass. David also breaks down the three paint application methods, brush vs roller vs sprayer, and explains why the surface you’re painting matters as much as the color you pick. If you’ve ever wondered why doors and smooth trim show brush marks, or why a wall looks “fine” until light hits it, this will click fast.

Then we get practical about painter’s tape: tack levels, how long you can leave it on, and why textured walls invite paint to seep under the edge. David shares simple ways pros seal tape lines for a cleaner cut. Finally, we tackle the heartbreak of touch-up paint that never matches, plus whether old leftover paint is worth using when you move into a new place.

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a fellow DIYer, and leave a review so more homeowners can skip the costly mistakes.

To learn more about Mile High Coatings visit:
https://www.MileHighCoatings.com
Mile High Coatings
970-314-1023 

Most people think a garage floor coating means days of waiting, strong fumes, and confusing product choices. We clear that up with a fast, practical FAQ session built from real client questions, so you can plan your project with confidence and avoid costly surprises.

We talk through the number one question we hear: how long until you can walk on the floor again. David explains how today’s coating systems often allow next-day foot traffic, why older epoxy systems took much longer, and what “cure time” really means when you’re trying to get your garage, basement, patio, or workspace back. We also unpack epoxy vs polyaspartic flooring in plain language: epoxy can be more DIY-friendly and forgiving, while polyaspartic is typically harder, faster-curing, and UV-stable but demands proper surface preparation to prevent peeling.

From there, we get into what homeowners actually need to do before we arrive, whether you have to leave the house, and the ventilation myth that catches people off guard: an open garage door does not guarantee airflow. We share an easy setup using a fan to create negative pressure and move air out efficiently. You will also hear how an independent coatings contractor can stay flexible on product selection, what warranties commonly cover (and what cracking from slab movement usually does not), how commercial projects think about sequencing, what insurance we carry, and how to maintain coated concrete with simple cleaners.

If you found this helpful, subscribe for more straightforward advice, share this with someone planning a remodel, and leave a review so more Colorado homeowners and business owners can find the show.

To learn more about Mile High Coatings visit:
https://www.MileHighCoatings.com
Mile High Coatings
970-314-1023 

Your concrete floor is already telling you what it needs, you just have to ask the right questions. We sit down and walk through how we choose the best concrete coating based on real life: what the space is for, how much traffic it gets, what kind of messes happen there, and what “easy to clean” really means when you live in Colorado.

We start with basement floor options, where stained concrete (dye and seal) and polished concrete can deliver a clean look without overbuilding for light foot traffic. We also talk honestly about water issues: a sealed floor is not a waterproofing system, but it can turn a stressful leak into a quick mop-up instead of a ruined carpet situation.

Then we move to garage floor coating systems, where traction becomes a safety feature the moment snow and ice hit the slab. We explain why flake floors are so popular, how they stay sweepable while adding grip, and why UV-stable polyaspartic topcoats help avoid yellowing. From there, we cover patio and porch coatings, including a subtle quartz finish that feels calm, durable, and slip-resistant outdoors. We also share what can limit any project, like spalling, efflorescence, and oil-saturated concrete, before zooming out to commercial flooring, industrial chemical-resistant coatings, and why parking garages take such a beating without traffic coatings built for constant abuse.

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a homeowner or contractor who is planning a project, and leave us a review so more people can find the show. What surface are you trying to upgrade next?

To learn more about Mile High Coatings visit:
https://www.MileHighCoatings.com
Mile High Coatings
970-314-1023 

Bad contractor stories usually start the same way: “They said it would be fine.” We sit down with David Nanninga, president and founder of Mile High Coatings, to get honest about what actually creates a great result in residential painting, commercial painting, and concrete coatings, and why the most important “product” is often clear expectations.

We dig into how we run an on-site consultation, the questions we ask to understand your real goal (selling a home, remodeling, repairing a leak, opening a business), and how experience helps us spot projects that are not a great fit before anyone wastes time or money. We also walk through the full menu of services, including interior and exterior painting, concrete staining, polished concrete, epoxy flooring, polyaspartic floor coatings for garage floors and patios, and even custom garage storage design and installation.

Then we talk about the calls we get every week: fixing competitor work that failed. We share what we see most often, how we reset scope and outcomes without sugarcoating it, and how better communication prevents surprises. We also explain why being a private, non-franchise contractor matters when you need flexibility with materials, specs, and solutions tailored to your space.

If you want a durable finish and a smoother project, listen now, then subscribe, share this with someone planning a renovation, and leave a review with the space you want to upgrade next.

To learn more about Mile High Coatings visit:
https://www.MileHighCoatings.com
Mile High Coatings
970-314-1023 

Red wine on the floor. Road salt tracked in all winter. Grease drips by the grill. Even the occasional mystery stain that shows up under a parked golf cart. If you’ve ever wondered what concrete coatings can actually handle and what will eventually leave a mark, we’re getting specific and practical. David Nanninga talks through how different coating systems behave when moisture, spills, and chemicals hit real homes and real businesses across Colorado’s Front Range.

We start with the basics that most people miss: sealing is meant to stop liquid water, but concrete can still push moisture vapor upward. That’s where breathable acrylic coatings can shine for outdoor applications, letting vapor pass while still shedding rain and everyday messes. Then we compare performance across acrylic, epoxy flooring, urethane, and polyaspartic coatings, including why polyaspartic is a go-to for garage floors thanks to UV stability and strong resistance to common chemicals like de-icers and household spills.

From there we zoom into the tougher stuff. Acid exposure changes the rules, and we explain why specialized products like novolac epoxy exist, plus what happens when acids sit too long. David shares a homeowner scenario we’ve seen more than once: battery acid leaking under an electric golf cart and leaving a white ring that can etch the coating and even stain the concrete. We wrap with seasonal guidance on what projects ramp up in summer, and our favorite interior option for busy households: dye-and-seal stained concrete topped with a durable clear coat for a natural look that’s easy to clean. 

If you want a floor that looks great and holds up to real life, listen now, subscribe for more coating tips, and share this with a friend who’s tired of stains. After you listen, what space are you thinking about coating next?

To learn more about Mile High Coatings visit:
https://www.MileHighCoatings.com
Mile High Coatings
970-314-1023 

Polished concrete looks like a design choice, but it’s really an operations decision, and it can save you serious time and money when you choose it for the right space. We dig into why more businesses across Colorado’s Front Range are skipping new flooring materials and instead upgrading the concrete slab they already have, turning it into a finished surface that’s durable, bright, and simple to maintain.

We talk through the biggest benefits of polished concrete flooring for commercial spaces: long-term cost effectiveness, impressive durability, stain and moisture resistance, and the day-to-day reality of cleaning a smooth, hardened surface. We also get specific about a trend we keep seeing in renovations, pulling up VCT tile and finding a perfectly workable slab underneath, then polishing it to eliminate waxing cycles and constant floor repairs.

Residential polished concrete comes up too, especially for basements and slab-on-grade homes where homeowners want something that looks sharp but doesn’t demand constant upkeep like carpet. We also cover customization options, from colored stain to borders and geometric patterns, plus realistic project timelines for a restaurant-sized floor. Finally, we share where polished concrete is not the best option, including slippery garage conditions, greasy kitchen areas, and certain chemical environments, along with alternatives like polyaspartic coatings with flakes for added traction. 

If you found this helpful, subscribe for more practical coating and flooring guidance, share the episode with someone planning a remodel, and leave a review with the space you’re working on so we can cover more real-world scenarios.

To learn more about Mile High Coatings visit:
https://www.MileHighCoatings.com
Mile High Coatings
970-314-1023 

“Epoxy floor” is one of the most searched home improvement phrases, and it is also one of the most misunderstood. We sit down to untangle the language around concrete coatings, epoxy flooring, and modern options like polyaspartic systems, so you can make a smart decision for a garage, basement, patio, or commercial space without getting lost in buzzwords.

We walk through the simple but important truth: epoxy is a concrete coating, but not all concrete coatings are epoxy. From sealers to urethanes and acrylics, different coating classes serve different goals, and the best choice depends on how the space is used, what it is exposed to, and what “durable” needs to mean for you. We also talk about why people often search using the wrong term, then end up comparing products and advice that do not actually fit their project.

Then we get real about expectations. We explain what a “lifetime floor” and “lifetime warranty” commonly cover in the coatings industry, especially delamination, peeling, and flaking, and how that differs from normal wear and tear. If you have ever wondered whether a garage floor coating can really last decades, we share the practical reality and what factors influence long-term performance.

We also dig into the rise of DIY epoxy kits, why they so often disappoint, and why prep work can make or break adhesion. If your biggest worry is safety, we cover slip resistance and how a professional system can be built to reduce slipperiness. Finally, we discuss timeline and return to service, including common guidance for walk-on use and when you can park again.

If you found this helpful, subscribe for more straight answers on residential painting and concrete coatings, share the episode with a friend planning a project, and leave a review with the question you want us to tackle next.

To learn more about Mile High Coatings visit:
https://www.MileHighCoatings.com
Mile High Coatings
970-314-1023