Garage floor epoxy paint

[jmohn]

Originally posted by BGCarrera32
The white stuff that is coming through your floor is called (and excuse my spelling - might be wrong) "effervescense"
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This sounds a little nuts, but I used the Behr "concrete" stain from Home Depot. Its formulated for use around pools, concrete decks, sidewalks and garages. Its like a runny latex paint...you won't get the hard thick gloss but it really looks great for the do-it-yourselfer, and has really kept the dust down (because
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-BG

BG,

The word you were looking for is "efflourescence" and your description was spot on.

Thanks for the "heads up" on the Behr product, that's exactly what I've been looking for. I just want to "brighten up" my dingy, cracked 25+year old floor without the expense of the epoxy products, but I wasn't sure which of the concrete paints or stains would have any durability. Behr makes quality products, I'll be giving their concrete stain a try.

Thanks,

Jerry M
'78 SC

[rfix'n]

For anyone who has one of the vinyl products on their floor, has there been any issues with a jackstand tearing the vinyl?

Thanks,

[tsuter]

I don't think guys with high gloss painted garage floors or kitchen vinyl tile in their garage use jack stands!
I've dragged a refrigerator around on mine "Racedeck" - no big deal. That said, it is possible to crush a Racedeck tile so even though they are easily replaced, I stick a 3/8 piece of plywood down if I'm worried. Like the Porsche factory jack for example.

[911SCfanatic]

tsuter, how difficult (or necessary) would it be to disassemble the floor each spring and pressure wash the concrete to get the accumulated road salt, etc. from under the tiles?

[911SCfanatic]

Sorry, one more: can you roll/drag a jack over it without screwing up the surface?

[Emission]

Originally posted by rfix'n
For anyone who has one of the vinyl products on their floor, has there been any issues with a jackstand tearing the vinyl?

Thanks,

It won't really tear VCT, it will dent or chip it. I put a piece of wood down first, just to avoid the issue.

I do roll/drag the jack across it, and it will leave a mark, but I don't really care that much. The mark will come out when I wax it (just mop it on) or buff it with a power machine.

The color is solid throughout the 1/8" thick tile. If you make a mark, sand it down. Oil can sit on it for months. I've spilled brake fluid on it too - no damage if you wipe it up within reasonable time.

The glue under the tile is very sticky, and it never really dries. This means you can pry a single tile up and replace it if you really want. This is a huge benefit for those who are very anal.

Yes, slippery when wet.

[CarreraS2]

Originally posted by widebody911
Any rough ideas of cure time before applying this stuff? Mine will be 1 year in June.

My parents' cure was less than 6 months, and their Griot floor is perfect 7 years later.

On the Behr Home Depot floor stain - I used it, and it worked like crap for me.

[widebody911]

I was @ HD the other day, and they had 2 different floor expoxy products; one was a 5Gal bucket for $99, which I think was a single-part formula, and other which was a two-part, but in a 1G can for ~$30. I guess I'd want the 2-part?

[tsuter]

Originally posted by 911SCfanatic
tsuter, how difficult (or necessary) would it be to disassemble the floor each spring and pressure wash the concrete to get the accumulated road salt, etc. from under the tiles?

We only got 33 inches of snow this winter so not much snow. I think I only swept out big chunks that fell off the cars out of the garage maybe 4-5 times. I usually don't leave it to melt.

In early April, I just used a mop to clean off the tile and a big pushbroom with old towels. You can also power wash in place but it wasn't necessary.

Not enough water/dirt or salt will leak thru to make it necessaary to remove the tile.

Having said that it is really easy. Just open a section and drag it out into the driveway. 10'x12' sections - easy
The time is dependent on how much junk is piled on it like refrigerators and work benches that you need to move first.

One of the sales points to "Racedeck" is that it is so easy to move that a lot of folks deinstall it when they sell a house. It is a suspension floor - free floating so not attached to anything and the tiles can be attached and reattached in different patterns.

No problems rolling around jacks or anything up to 100-200-300 pounds or so. It is not going to mar at all unless something really heavy has sharp edges. No dropped 1/2" air hammer is going to do anything. Your kids can roller skate/blade on it no big deal.


What do my neighbors think???

"Its all cosmetic BS and you could paint Home Depot epoxy on your floor ten times for the cost and your motorcycle is too loud and stop asking my daughter if she wants a ride! "

[john70t]

Practicality and cosmetics will probably be inverse. You choose.
A nice shiny surface will look good every day and easy to clean, but a little water or oil could lead to a cracked bumper or hip.

Generalized key to good results is getting the surface grease/spot free to a half inch, stabilizing the temperatures and humidity, drying completely, using 2-part chemicals applied properly and using an anti-slip agent like sand, waiting two weeks to even walk on it with socks........and then hoping the chemicals are of quality.

Why not permanently attach a load-dispersing, non-scratching surface such as wood to the bottom of your $20 cheap jackstands?

[H20911]

Just got back from Home Depot and this just came out today they said: The value pack for a 2.5 car garage. the reason I could not resist was $96.00 + tax
Now it is time to watch the video......Hope that the cure time is not too long.

[turbo6bar]

Never heard of a 1-part epoxy.

If you want to do it right, find a company that sells epoxy and sealers for concrete. The stuff will not be cheap, but it will seal like mad. Otherwise, I like the VCT stuff. I recall pros actually etch cured concrete with a nasty chemical. Can't recall the chemical used--maybe an acid, but I think it's some highly volatile compound (probably causes male impotence or something).
jurgen

[LonL]

Originally posted by H20911
Just got back from Home Depot and this just came out today they said: The value pack for a 2.5 car garage. the reason I could not resist was $96.00 + tax
Now it is time to watch the video......Hope that the cure time is not too long.

Did it only come it 2 1/2 size or was it available in 3 gar size?

Lon

[Pat S]

I like the VCT look and am planning on doing my floor soon.
I was looking at Armstongs web-site at the VCT and ran across the SAFETY ZONE line. It is for commercial use near water other slippery surfaces. I wonder if this might be a better fit for a garage?

I e-mailed their customer service and asked if they have a VCT they reccomend for garage floors and will let you know what I hear.

Here is a link to the safety line....
http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/product_details.jsp?item_id=383

[H20911]

I have only seen this (prior to today) in a 1 car garage kit @$59.00. The reason that I was happy with it is I only have an oversize 2 car garage 22X24 so it was nice to get it in a kit for less.
contents:
2 gallon color cans
2 qt activator cans
2 bags of chemicals to be mixed with water as a cleaner
2 bags of the fleck stuff
1 5 minute video
1 paper instuctions

12 hours foot traffic
24 hours heavy stuff cabe placed back

the real crapper is full cure and auto traffic in 7 days

http://www.rustoleum.com/Product.asp?frm_product_id=56&SBL=1&dds=5

[JonT]

I would also check Eastwood.com for their garage paint products. They seem to carry quality products.

[widebody911]

Ah, so you can do it without the flecks; that would be better, IMHO.

Tonight I had to replace the clutch in my VW bus in the new shop. So much for virgin concrete...

Originally posted by H20911
I have only seen this (prior to today) in a 1 car garage kit @$59.00. The reason that I was happy with it is I only have an oversize 2 car garage 22X24 so it was nice to get it in a kit for less.
contents:
2 gallon color cans
2 qt activator cans
2 bags of chemicals to be mixed with water as a cleaner
2 bags of the fleck stuff
1 5 minute video
1 paper instuctions

12 hours foot traffic
24 hours heavy stuff cabe placed back

the real crapper is full cure and auto traffic in 7 days

http://www.rustoleum.com/Product.asp?frm_product_id=56&SBL=1&dds=5

[campbellcj]

I would love to do this, but I can't fathom the concept of completely clearing out the garage!

To do it "right" I figure you have to remove any floor-standing cabinets and such. Not a project for the faint-of-heart!

[Pat S]

Here is armstrongs response on using VCT on a garage floor. May be just a legality issue though. I still plan to see if I can cost out some of their safety line for my garage...

Thank you for contacting Armstrong.

There are many things to consider when installing tile (or sheet) flooring
in a garage. First, the temperature should be a minimum of 65 degrees 48
hours before, during installation and 48 hours after completion of the job.
After installation. temperature should be maintained at a minimum of 55
degrees. Secondly, automobile fluids, such as brake, transmission and
oil, if leaked onto the flooring can get into the joints of tile and break
down the adhesive creating a bonding issue and a possible installation
failure. The antioxidants from the rubber in the tires will cause a
permanent yellow discoloration to any resilient flooring. You should
place a barrier, such as a piece of Plexiglass, between the tire and the
flooring to prevent this from occurring. Also, exposure to the moisture
from rain or snow and varying temperatures will have a damaging affect on
both tile or sheet flooring.

Taking into consideration all the issues discussed above, it is probably
not a good idea to install resilient flooring in a garage. If you can
maintain the temperature, keep the floor properly maintained, protect the
floor from automobile fluid, discoloration from the tires and inclement
weather, a commercial grade floor would be the best choice - tile
(including our Safety Zone tile), or sheet flooring.

Please click on the attached link and enter your zip code for a list of
local retailers handling our commercial products.

http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/locate_contractor.jsp

LCE

[Emission]

"...antioxidants from the rubber in the tires will cause a permanent yellow discoloration to any resilient flooring."

This is about the only issue I've had, you can prevent it with black (or dark) tiles under the tires. In all honesty, it isn't an issue that really bothers me.

As far as the liquid between the tile... hmmm... I never really thought of it being an issue. If anything, spills are wiped up quickly (preventing seepage between tiles).

I like my VCT, no matter what Armstrong says.