Epoxy floor covering

[WolfeMacleod]

Looking at possibly moving into a house soon with a large garage/shop area to work in. Garage floor is bare concrete or cement, and was thinking about doing an epoxy floor coating if the landlord would permit. I don't see why he wouldn't.

Anyone got any good tips on this? Brands to stay away from? Anything offer water leakage protection? Insulative properties, etc?

Garage is large enough to hold 3-4 cars.

[trekkor]

'Shot blast' the slab prior to installation.


KT

[Carrerax]

I wish my tenants wanted to epoxy their garage floors! All mine want to do is be late on rent and leave the garage full of crap when they leave!!!

[rouxroux]

When I epoxied my new garage floor 6 years ago, I used a dilute citric acid solution to lightly etch. Still looks like the day I painted it, nothing has eaten through it! I used the cheap-o Rustoleum kit and it worked just fine. I know there are better products out there, but this has held up fine. Just be sure to have someone to help you "cut-in" your edges as you roll the main portion of the floor, because you've only got 30 minutes to work it & throw the paint chips (if you choose). Good luck on your project!

[MattKellett]

Like everything, it's all in the prep. I used the Griot's floor paint about 6 years ago and I've not had any peel off. I used an acid wash first to break the skin on the concrete, this keyed the concrete to allow a good paint bond.

[David]

PPG industrial floor epoxy is good if you have a PPG industrial/marine dealer handy.

[JavaBrewer]

Have you thought about going with an acid stain topped with clear top coat? Several garages in my area have this and if you use 2+ stain colors it can look incredible. I did a 2 color stain on my BBQ island (poured concrete top) and it looks like worn leather. I'm definitely going that route in my 3 car garage. Cheap and easier than paint.

Edit- here's a pic of my BBQ island

[fritzgator]

i got my epoxy finish from my benjamin moore dealer, custom tinted to match the trim on garage. cost between rustoleum and u-coat it.+1 on the prep.

[TimT]

Check to see that you wont have a problem from moisture coming up through the slab..

Tape a piece of clear plastic to the the floor... maybe a 2 foot square of plastic using duct tape..Check the plastic after a day and see if any moisture is visible..

If you see alot of condensation, you would be better with a stain...

Excess moisture will cause the epoxy to bubble and delaminate..

I live quite close to the ocean and bays and estuaries... ground water is only a few feet beneath the ground here.... unless a barrier is placed under a slab here, most garage floors don't do well with epoxy coatings (here)

[Rick V]

Make sure there is no grease or oil or any kind of oil based anything left on the concrete. This will cause the epoxy to not stick.

[the]

Like Tim said, you should check your concrete for moisture somehow.

My folks had the griot's garage paint professionally applied in their garage almost 15 years ago. It still looks the same as the day it was put on. No lifting whatsoever.

Theirs looked so good, I had the same guys do my garage, with the same paint. Mine lasted 3 years or so before moisture rising up from the concrete got to it.

[jwhcars]

Go to the www.garagejournal.com they have a whole section just on garage floors. They have more information than you will ever need.

[fintstone]

I had epoxy professionally installed (Dupont 2-part) about 3 years ago. It looks great....but....I have a problem with the garage door seal sticking to it. It is had to open after a day...and almost impossible to free after a week. Eventually the seal shreds and I replace it to start the cycle again. Anyone else have this problem?

[Dantilla]

Don't use the water-based "One-part Epoxy" from Home Depot.
My garage floor at home is chipping/peeling.
Out at the airport, I painted the hangar floor with Amaron products from Parker Paint. Two coats primer, two coats high-gloss finish, after an acid wash. Couldn't be happier.

[cl8ton]

As others have stated, go with quality! (Griots or similar)
I went with Lowe's epoxy and the hot tires baked it off within 2 years!

Prep work on the concrete is paramount.

[WolfeMacleod]

Good stuff guys. thanks.
I looked at the floor again today and it does look like there' some old grease/oil staind etc.
Can't really tell for sure about water, but it's something I'll look into. I did some searching and it looks liek there some sort of water vapor kit available...

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by fintstone

I had epoxy professionally installed (Dupont 2-part) about 3 years ago. It looks great....but....I have a problem with the garage door seal sticking to it. It is had to open after a day...and almost impossible to free after a week. Eventually the seal shreds and I replace it to start the cycle again. Anyone else have this problem?

Have you tried Armor All on the seal or a silicone spray???

[myamoto1]

I don't have any personal experience, but have heard that if you plan on doing any welding, epoxy is NOT the way to go.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

Have you tried Armor All on the seal or a silicone spray???

Yes. No luck. It is like the chemicals in the floor melt the seal a little and make it stick. It doesn't matter if it is hot or cold either.

[MattKellett]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Yes. No luck. It is like the chemicals in the floor melt the seal a little and make it stick. It doesn't matter if it is hot or cold either.

How about placing one of those rubber seals on the floor, I think they are used for stopping water creeping under the door, but I think would work for your application to stop the door sticking to the floor.