Back-Rolling to Achieve a Smooth Finish

What happens here

Following closely behind the person spreading with the squeegee, a second worker uses a long-handled roller (a typical paint roller with a suitable nap for epoxy applications, often called an epoxy roller) to 'back-roll' the freshly squeegeed epoxy. This crucial step serves several purposes: it smooths out any lines or imperfections left by the squeegee, ensures a perfectly uniform thickness across the entire surface, and helps to release any trapped air bubbles that might have formed during the application. The roller should be moved in consistent, overlapping passes, typically first in one direction (e.g., perpendicular to the squeegee passes) and then lightly cross-rolled, without applying excessive pressure, to achieve a perfectly smooth and even finish over the decorative flakes. Both workers must continue to wear spiked shoes while performing this task.

Goal: Ensure a uniform thickness, eliminate imperfections, and achieve a smooth final topcoat