Understanding Hot Tire Pickup in Florida: Causes, Effects, and How Tru-Grit Helps Prevent It
- Tru-Grit
- May 27
- 3 min read
Summer is here in Florida—and with it comes intense heat, rising humidity, and garage floors that can easily reach temperatures of over 120°F. At Tru-Grit Flooring, we know firsthand how these extreme conditions can put your garage floor to the test. One of the most common issues we help Florida homeowners prevent is something called hot tire pickup.
If you've ever noticed black tire-shaped marks on your garage floor—or seen sections where the coating has lifted—you’ve probably experienced hot tire pickup. And during Florida’s hottest months, this problem becomes even more likely.
In this post, we’ll break down what hot tire pickup is, why it’s so common in our climate, and what Tru-Grit does to stop it before it starts.
What Causes Hot Tire Pickup?
Hot tire pickup occurs when a vehicle's tires soften from driving, heat up, and then sit on a coated garage floor that hasn’t fully cured or wasn’t prepared properly. As the tires cool, they pull at the coating, causing lifting, blemishes, or damage.
In Florida, the risk is higher due to:
Extreme Surface Temperatures: Garage floors can easily exceed 130°F in direct sun, intensifying the interaction between tires and coatings.
High Humidity: Our tropical climate can impact cure times and adhesion if installers aren’t using the right methods and materials.
Frequent Rain-Then-Heat Patterns: Quick shifts from moisture to intense sun can shock a floor system that’s not properly cured or bonded.
Soft Tire Formulations: Many tires contain plasticizers that react chemically with lower-grade coatings, especially when hot.
What Happens When It’s Not Addressed?
Hot tire pickup isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it compromises the integrity of your entire floor system. Common effects include:
Black Marks or Lifting: You’ll see shiny tire-shaped blemishes or peeling patches where tires rest after driving.
Accelerated Wear: Once coating is pulled up, it allows moisture and debris to break down surrounding areas faster.
Safety Issues: Damaged areas may become slick or uneven, especially when exposed to humidity or vehicle fluids.
How Tru-Grit Flooring Prevents Hot Tire Pickup in Florida
We don’t cut corners—because in Florida, that leads to failure. Tru-Grit Flooring uses a proven process and premium materials designed for our state's extreme conditions:
1. Mechanical Diamond Grinding
We prep every surface with diamond-tipped grinding tools to open the pores of the concrete. This allows for superior adhesion and eliminates the risk of delamination.
2. Heat-Resistant Coating Systems
We use our proprietary NanoX Polyaspartic and Hybrid Epoxy systems, reinforced with Tru AlumX, a mineral additive that increases resistance to heat, wear, and chemical reactions with tire rubber.
3. Proper Cure Timing
We follow manufacturer guidelines and adjust curing schedules based on current Florida weather. We never rush the job—and that makes all the difference in long-term durability.
4. Optional Parking Pads
During peak summer months, we recommend tire pads to provide an extra buffer between hot tires and the coating. It's an inexpensive add-on that offers added protection.
What You Can Do Now to Prepare for Florida’s Heat
If you're already seeing damage—or planning to coat your garage this season—now is the time to act:
Inspect Your Current Floor: If you see any peeling or dark marks, it’s likely hot tire pickup. The sooner it’s addressed, the less it will cost to fix.
Avoid DIY Kits: Most store-bought coatings can’t handle Florida’s heat or humidity. They often contain no mineral reinforcement and lack the bond strength of professional systems.
Book Ahead: Summer is our busiest season. Schedule early to get on our calendar before the peak heat makes installation trickier.
Why Choose Tru-Grit Flooring?
We specialize in Polyaspartic and Epoxy garage floor coatings that are built to last in Florida’s unique environment. Our systems are designed, tested, and installed to resist hot tire pickup and look great for years to come.
Don’t wait until tire marks start showing up.Protect your garage floor from Florida’s summer heat with a system designed to perform.
📞 Call Tru-Grit Flooring today at 863-670-9270 for a free quote and personalized recommendation.
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