Garage floors question

[toddu]

Anyone have a darker color on their floor and regret it (e.g. - makes garage look dark, or working under car any more difficult)?

Todd

[mreid]

In my last garage, I used a black and white checkerboard tile pattern. I hated the dark tile. It absorbed light and when I dropped nuts or bolts if they landed on the black tile, they were much harder to find. In this house, I'm going with a gray and white checkerboard.

[$ Short]

We did a friends in gray epoxy and he then sprinkled blue and black specs. When we dropped a screw or nut we had to resort to feel or sweep the floor to find them. When I do mine it will be a light solid color. This could be an age thing.

[Lyle O]

Same for me. Did mine in a nice light color (sandstone), but the specks make it difficult to find dropped nuts and bolts.

[KTL]

My father in law is a paint weirdo and gets free returned paint from Home Depot. He mixes his own colors from that supply source and so whatever colors he gets free are what he paints his house, just because he can. I wish I had that kinda free time to blow on painting something that doesn't need painting.......... Anyhow, point being is for some stupid reason he decided to use some royal (dark) blue in his garage and the atmosphere is depressing and obviously dark. So in addition to the floor being bright for reasons the other guys said, don't do walls (or ceiling- yes, FIL painted the ceiling blue too....) dark either! Garages seem to be light-challenged, especially when they're an attached garage. So light colored walls and floor are helpful in brightening a typically dark place?

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by $ Short

We did a friends in gray epoxy and he then sprinkled blue and black specs. When we dropped a screw or nut we had to resort to feel or sweep the floor to find them. When I do mine it will be a light solid color. This could be an age thing.

Yep I did the same thing and regret using the flakes!

I was working the other day and I dropped a small nut and it just disappeared. I ran a magnet around the floor and couldn't find it. Apparently those blue and black flakes are a portal to another dimension.

[WyattEarp]

I have a dark charcoal colored floor under the cars with a silver and blue stripe down the center and each side of the garage (Racedeck tiles). It's a little harder to find a dropped small item but the trade off is I think it hides daily dirt better. Definitely don't feel it's too dark but I do have gloss white walls and ceilings with a lot of lighting. No regrets with the darker color floor.

[74-911]

PO painted the floors and walls of the workshop with standard garage floor (battle ship) grey paint which is semi-gloss. I would like epoxy but no way would I attempt to remove that grey paint so grey paint it will remain. Has actually held up well considering the abuse it gets and parts don't disappear when dropped. Not my first choice but it's OK.

[toddu]

Appreciate all the feedback!! May pull the trigger soon.

Todd

[fred cook]

I considered using the grey floor epoxy, but decided that small parts would be hard to find! So, I used the light tan color without flakes. Have been very happy with it so far!

[sballard]

I painted my garage floor with gray epoxy. One of the best decisions I've made. No problem with finding little dropped parts.

[r-mm]

If dirt showing is your hesitation on going light, what about light with light speckling or swirling to hide the dust but not dropped items?

Semi off topic but what would you all use to paint the floor of a rented garage? Don't need nuke proof, just something better than dusty unsealed concrete that is un-sweepable.

[spoke]

I've opted to not paint the floor in my garage. I wash cars in the garage and found if the floor is sealed with paint the water will stay around for a long time especially in the winter. Bare concrete absorbs water nicely and yet doesn't contribute to high humidity.

[MJHanna]

Originally Posted by r-mm

Semi off topic but what would you all use to paint the floor of a rented garage? Don't need nuke proof, just something better than dusty unsealed concrete that is un-sweepable.

Only with the landlords permission.

[Zack at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by spoke

I've opted to not paint the floor in my garage. I wash cars in the garage and found if the floor is sealed with paint the water will stay around for a long time especially in the winter. Bare concrete absorbs water nicely and yet doesn't contribute to high humidity.

My only issue with an unsealed garage floor is that salt or brine can react with a concrete garage floor pad and compromise the concrete.

Is your garage heated at all? That would help with improving evaporation.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by r-mm

Semi off topic but what would you all use to paint the floor of a rented garage? Don't need nuke proof, just something better than dusty unsealed concrete that is un-sweepable.

Most speak of acid etching/TSP prep before painting and then an epoxy paint.

Oil based concrete paint may work if prepped well but how well does it stand up to a spill or hot tires. How long is the cure time? Perhaps oil base on the perimeter and epoxy where the car will sit?

Just talking, not recommending.

[JohnJL]

I went light grey epoxy, skipped the flakes and used the grit sparingly. I am very happy with the results, though I have learned welding splatted and heavy, sharp objects falling will still damage the floor.

[JohnJL]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Most speak of acid etching/TSP prep before painting and then an epoxy paint.

Oil based concrete paint may work if prepped well but how well does it stand up to a spill or hot tires. How long is the cure time? Perhaps oil base on the perimeter and epoxy where the car will sit?

Just talking, not recommending.

I think you want some stain or just clear sealer. If you put down paint without grinding the crap out of it first, it WILL fail. Then you are explaining to the owner how you are going to remove the crap paint.

I'd suggest just applying some clear sealer. The LL will never know and it makes sweeping/cleaning much easier.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by JohnJL

I'd suggest just applying some clear sealer. The LL will never know and it makes sweeping/cleaning much easier.

That is very good thinking.

You could also use a power washer to blow out the deeper dirt to make it a little lighter before sealing.

[megerian]

I went with a black (yes, black) rollout floor. So far I love it, and it looks great.