A Contractor's Guide to Choosing the Right KRETUS Primer

A Contractor's Guide to Choosing the Right KRETUS Primer

Posted by Rocket Supply on Jun 16th 2025

A flooring system is only as strong as its foundation. A peeling, bubbling, or failing topcoat is often a sign of a problem at the most critical step: the prime coat. For professional contractors, choosing the right primer isn't just a suggestion—it's insurance for your project's success and your reputation. A failed floor can lead to costly callbacks and an unhappy client.

This guide will break down the different KRETUS Primers available at Rocket Supply, helping you select the perfect product for a durable, high-performance flooring system that lasts.

The Critical Role of a Primer in a High-Performance Flooring System

Proper surface preparation is non-negotiable. For existing floors, this might first involve learning how to remove epoxy from concrete or other old coatings. Once you have a bare substrate, the surface must be mechanically profiled, typically with a heavy-duty floor grinder fitted with the appropriate concrete polishing pads or diamond tooling. To maintain a clean and safe job site, it is essential to use industrial vacuums and dust collection tools.

After prep, the primer is engineered to penetrate the concrete's pores and create a tenacious bond for the topcoats. This critical step provides several key benefits:

  • Prevents System Failure: It creates a powerful bond that prevents delamination, peeling, and bubbling of the topcoats.
  • Blocks Moisture: Specialized primers can block moisture vapor transmission from deep within the slab, a leading cause of coating failure.
  • Seals Porous Concrete: It seals the substrate, preventing outgassing and ensuring a smoother, more uniform finish for your topcoat.
  • Improves Durability: It enhances the overall strength and lifespan of the entire flooring system.

The KRETUS Difference: Why Pros Choose These Primers

KRETUS has engineered a line of high-performance primers designed to solve real-world job site challenges. Pros choose KRETUS Primers because they offer superior adhesion and are specifically formulated to address issues such as high moisture content or oil contamination. They are designed to work seamlessly with the full range of KRETUS topcoats, creating a complete, reliable system from the slab up.

Choosing Your KRETUS Primer: A Product-by-Product Breakdown

Selecting the right primer depends on the condition of your concrete slab. Here are the primary KRETUS Primers and their corresponding uses.

For Standard Concrete: KRETUS Top Shelf® Epoxy Primer

  • Use When: You have a clean, properly prepared, and profiled concrete slab without any major moisture or contamination issues.
  • Key Benefit: This is an excellent all-around primer for ensuring a powerful bond on most typical projects. It’s a trusted and reliable foundation for any standard flooring system.

For High-Moisture Slabs: KRETUS Moisture Vapor Barrier (MVB)

  • Use When: The concrete slab has a high Moisture Vapor Emission Rate (MVER), is located in a basement, or is on-grade without a built-in vapor barrier below the slab.
  • Key Benefit: This primer is designed to withstand intense hydrostatic pressure, protecting the entire system from failures caused by moisture pushing up through the concrete.

For Contaminated Concrete: KRETUS Oil-Tolerant Primer (OTP)

  • Use When: The substrate has been contaminated with petroleum-based oils. This is common in auto shops, machine shops, garages, and manufacturing facilities where achieving a perfectly clean slab is impossible.
  • Key Benefit: KRETUS OTP is chemically designed to penetrate through residual oil contamination and bond directly to the concrete, saving you from project failures in challenging environments.

For Fast-Track Projects: KRETUS Urethane Polymer Primer (UP P)

  • Use When: A rapid return-to-service is the top priority for your client.
  • Key Benefit: This primer is extremely fast-curing, often allowing for the application of a topcoat in just a few hours. It is the ideal choice for 1-day flooring systems or projects with tight deadlines.

Quick Reference: KRETUS Primer Selection Chart

For a simple at-a-glance guide, use this chart to make your selection.

Get the Right KRETUS Primers for Your Next Job

At Rocket Supply, we don't just sell products; we provide solutions. Our team of concrete and coatings experts can help you select the exact KRETUS Primer and complete flooring system you need to ensure a successful, long-lasting installation.

Have questions? Contact us or visit our Denver concrete and stone store today!