Garage floor coating [Archive]

Amatouring

08-06-2007, 02:21 PM

Has anyone on here had success with a do it yourself garage floor epoxy? Please let me know what brand has worked for you, and more importantly which ones didn't.

rob07002

08-07-2007, 05:11 AM

Have you thought of using VCT tile? It's a vinyl composite made for comercial applications (think supermarkets) that is very durable. Made by Armstrong

Best thing is, is that it's fairly cheap, comes in different colors (checker board) and if one gets damaged, you pull it up and replace.

That's the way I'm going one I get around to it.

68BNUT

08-07-2007, 07:07 AM

There are some good posts and how too's over at garagejunkies.com or it may be garagejournals.com now.

BonzoHansen

08-07-2007, 09:20 AM

I used u-coat-it with excellent results. It is all about the prep. IMO, it does not go as far as they claim either. I think they said the kit I got covers up to 575 sq ft. I struggled to cover 525. Maybe my floor was real pourous, I din't know. that was the only issue I had. So far it has proven pretty tough and really brightened up the garage.

I did it last August.

Edit:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/08/4888961-1.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=8961)

indyjps

08-09-2007, 04:09 PM

the VCT tile can get pretty slippery, the thought of running a big floor buffer in the garage is cool though.

69TAPoser

08-09-2007, 06:11 PM

The cheap rust-o-leum garage epoxy from Home Depot has been holding up well for the past 3 years of abuse.

Phil

qwik1320

10-04-2007, 07:22 PM

Does the epoxy get slippery when wet? I just moved (so the 67's on hold) and my new garage floor is begging to be painted.

harshman

10-04-2007, 09:00 PM

i did vct and love it. marks come out with a new coating of wax and no buffer required - but cool as hell if you can.

syborg tt

10-05-2007, 04:50 AM

Had mine expoy coated with lots of anti-slip stuff and it's still slippery when wet.

However you do get used to it

CraigMorrison

10-05-2007, 05:03 AM

The cheap rust-o-leum garage epoxy from Home Depot has been holding up well for the past 3 years of abuse.

Phil

I think I am going to use this stuff when I get around to doing the garage in the Spring. It looks like the U-coat-it material, same sort of application procedure, and about 30%-40% less cost. I'm definitely going to go with the anti slip additive too! Art has an epoxy floor in his garage and when it gets wet + old "shop shoes" makes for some tricky walking.....

bingham72

10-05-2007, 05:26 AM

I just did my floor with U-Coat-it. It came out ok, but my floor was really rough. I thought it would do a better job of filling in, but you have to buy other items to fill cracks or level low spots. Plus to get the flek and hi-gloss is another ~$250.

backtobasics

10-05-2007, 09:47 AM

I used the 99.00 kit from Home Depot. It was the best option upgrade to the garage besides air. The "speckles" like to catch dirt and mud (doggie door is in garage) but it cleans up well with dish detergent. Nothing has phased it, carb kleen, brake kleen, gas, nothing. It does scratch a littke but it takes a 727 being drug by the tailshaft to scuff it, but it has held up INCREDIBLY well. Not too slippery with the "speckles" but I would probably forgo them next time.

Project69

10-05-2007, 09:59 AM

I used the 99.00 kit from Home Depot. It was the best option upgrade to the garage besides air. It does scratch a littke but it takes a 727 being drug by the tailshaft to scuff it, but it has held up INCREDIBLY well.

Used the same kit to, although it held up to a th350 drugged by the bellhousing lol

BonzoHansen

10-05-2007, 10:05 AM

I just did my floor with U-Coat-it. It came out ok, but my floor was really rough. I thought it would do a better job of filling in, but you have to buy other items to fill cracks or level low spots. Plus to get the flek and hi-gloss is another ~$250.
You gotta do the gloss part.

Magntik

10-05-2007, 10:14 AM

I used the Home Depot $99 kit and wish I would not have!

Maybe it had something to do with the age of the concrete, new construction less then 3 months old, but the guys at Home Depot said it's cool, do it.

I followed directions and still the "high"traffic area pealed up, carb cleaner seems to melt the speckles if you spary it directly on the floor. (I was trying to prevent a stain!!)
That totally sounded like my wife..LOL

Thinking about attempting a recoat before winter.

Maybe the titles, I like that idea.

paul67

10-05-2007, 10:17 AM

On new concrete depending on thinkness it's more like 6.

69Bbird

10-05-2007, 10:28 AM

I have the same problem with my rustolum epoxy. I did all the prep right and its still peels up. When ever I jack up my car the jack peels the epoxy off. This was applied on a new garage floor so? I think I might try some tiles next. My dad used them in his garage and there pretty cool. If I were to do it again I might have a pro epoxy it.

syborg tt

10-05-2007, 10:36 AM

Dropped my floor jack on my floor ( hit sideway's ) didn't hurt the floor but the handle did hit me on the bounce and that hurt like a sob

BonzoHansen

10-05-2007, 10:54 AM

I have the same problem with my rustolum epoxy. I did all the prep right and its still peels up. When ever I jack up my car the jack peels the epoxy off. This was applied on a new garage floor so? I think I might try some tiles next. My dad used them in his garage and there pretty cool. If I were to do it again I might have a pro epoxy it.I also think there are 2 types of rustoleum epoxy, cheap and not so cheap. The cheap is on the shelf at HD. The other needs to be ordered. Or so I have read....

Dropped my floor jack on my floor ( hit sideway's ) didn't hurt the floor but the handle did hit me on the bounce and that hurt like a sobLOL

Tony_SS

10-05-2007, 11:16 AM

I used the Rustoleum kit at Lowes and it worked great. It's all in the prep. I spent a good day prepping the surface and it paid off... No issues in over 2 years. Still looks great. And don't call it cheap, call the other stuff overpriced. :)

Tony_SS

10-05-2007, 11:19 AM

I have the same problem with my rustolum epoxy. I did all the prep right and its still peels up. When ever I jack up my car the jack peels the epoxy off. This was applied on a new garage floor so? I think I might try some tiles next. My dad used them in his garage and there pretty cool. If I were to do it again I might have a pro epoxy it.

Did you let the new concrete cure? I bet that was the problem. OE. I used the same kit, no peeling, but I let the concrete cure for a year and applied it on a hot dry day.

69Bbird

10-05-2007, 11:39 AM

It was a new house. I'm sure the slab was at least a year old. I didnt rush the prep did everything right? Ooh well.

bingham72

10-05-2007, 12:47 PM

You gotta do the gloss part.
can I do that at a later date?

BonzoHansen

10-05-2007, 04:03 PM

can I do that at a later date?
Dunno, call 'em and ask. I'm guessing you can but you'd have to scrub it clean and mayb scuff it.

69Bbird

10-05-2007, 05:36 PM

How durable is the tile? Will it hold up to a jack and jack stands? How about some pics.

Mr. B

10-05-2007, 05:47 PM

I used the mid grade Rustoleum stuff. I put the speckles on and it is still pretty slick when wet. Mine has started to peal up where the cars tire sit when parked. It happened during/after the winter. I'm sure the salt had something to do with it. Otherwise it is tuff and wears great.

65elkyprotour

10-05-2007, 05:48 PM

I have Muscle gloss on mine. I went with the grey glossy and no anti-slip or specs. It can be slippery but I am usually the only one in there. If you leave antifreeze on it long enough you will see a little discoloration. Also they have a couple different options, one that does not have UV protection and will slightly discolor if exposed to sunlight. Mostly not noticable. It does not hold up to welding! use a welding blanket or something else. You will get little burn marks everywhere. Also if you drop an anvil on it it will chip. Otherwise it is great. No peeling.

John McIntire

10-05-2007, 06:35 PM

I used the stuff from lowes and had no problems, I followed the instructions and cleaned the floor with that powdered cleaning etching stuff, and applied the coating with a roller, 3/4 nap. Held up great, going to apply it to my new house's garage.
Oh yeah, It does get slippery when wet!

Tom 72RS/SS

10-05-2007, 06:49 PM

I used the tiles on my floor. They look great, clean easy, etc. but you will always have to protect the floor when jacking or they will compress under the weight and leave indentions. I have to use either a couple of spare tiles or some plywood under the jack or the stands to protect them.
If you do alot of rebuilding and constant jacking of the car, this would not be practical but for light or occasion work it will stand up pretty nice and look cool doing it.

qwik1320

10-06-2007, 05:29 AM

Thanks for the comments guys. My house is about a month old so I plan on leaving the concrete cure over the winter...but maybe I should give it a year so it goes through a complete summer/winter cycle.

backtobasics

10-06-2007, 06:19 AM

Home Depot rustoleum.
I pressure washed first, to try and open the pores as much as possible.
I used the purple degreaser, and rinsed. I also used the ? citric acid ? that they provided.

Jackstands, tires, doesnt matter. It takes lots of weight, with a small surface area to do anything, and even that scuffs it, but does not take it off.

69TAPoser

10-06-2007, 06:36 AM

Home Depot rustoleum.
I pressure washed first, to try and open the pores as much as possible.
I used the purple degreaser, and rinsed. I also used the ? citric acid ? that they provided.

Jackstands, tires, doesnt matter. It takes lots of weight, with a small surface area to do anything, and even that scuffs it, but does not take it off.

This is exactly what I did to get the good results with the Rustoleum. The only difference is I used Simple Green in the gallon jugs instead of the purple degreaser.

It is holding up well! :twothumbs

Phil

69Nova

10-06-2007, 07:23 AM

I used the Bear product from Home Depot. And it's crap. Some parts have held great but most have failed me and are coming off. I took my time and prepped everything like the directions said to. And I even did it twice since it got messed up by a dummy on a tractor when my shop fan was installed. But for the short time when everything was fine man did it look good.

CraigMorrison

10-06-2007, 07:50 AM

I used the Bear product from Home Depot. And it's crap. Some parts have held great but most have failed me and are coming off. I took my time and prepped everything like the directions said to. And I even did it twice since it got messed up by a dummy on a tractor when my shop fan was installed. But for the short time when everything was fine man did it look good.

X2 on the Bear garage floor paint! I finally had to put pieces of carpet down where the tires would park to keep it from lifting.....

69Nova

10-06-2007, 07:52 AM

X2 on the Bear garage floor paint! I finally had to put pieces of carpet down where the tires would park to keep it from lifting.....

I blew a bunch of money on two huge mats form home depot for where the cars sit so it would look half decent.

Steve1968LS2

10-06-2007, 08:23 AM

X2 on the Bear garage floor paint! I finally had to put pieces of carpet down where the tires would park to keep it from lifting.....

That's my big worry. The problem of paint sticking to hot tires is even worse for me since I have very wide R-compound tires. The last thing I want is to have my garage floor melted to my tires, so I keep putting it off.

Maybe the tiles.. what do they run per a sqare foot?

69Nova

10-06-2007, 09:26 AM

Here is what I did to cover up my crappy floor for a little bt. I purchased two pretty big vinyl mats and some carpet for where the door is. It works ok for now but still show a few of the problem areas.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/10/P1010415-1.jpg

kball

12-27-2007, 09:48 PM

I just bought a new place and the concrete in the garage is asking for an oil spill. I haven't moved in yet and I want to paint the floor w/an epoxy type floor paint. Anybody done this? Home Depot and some other places sell some stuff, but I don't think it's the greatest. Might be fine though. I'm looking for more feedback than the 16 year old girl's opinion who works there.

Rybar

12-28-2007, 01:23 AM

Yes I would like to know this aswell.

vintageracer

12-28-2007, 01:27 AM

Do a search for garage floor paint. It has been discussed many times!

crazyfireman

12-28-2007, 06:41 AM

I coated mine with Sherwin Williams tan floor coating. It hold up great and no matter what you spill on it, wipes right up, brake fluid, oil, gas, beer.....

x2cstang

12-28-2007, 06:49 AM

I used some garage floor paint from Menards. It's lasted a few years now. The only complaint I had doing it was moving all my crap out of the garage!!! What a nightmare that was, lucky you don't have to suffer like I did!:hand:

bochnak

12-28-2007, 09:01 AM

Also check out:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/

There is a whole section for flooring.

69Pony

12-28-2007, 09:54 AM

Make sure to etch the concrete 1st. Like in most cases, good prep work is where it's at. I used the HD concrete paint and it's held up for 10 years now. Only spot I had a problem with is where the front tires sit. They pulled up a bit of the paint.

Spiffav8

12-28-2007, 10:40 AM

I bought the Rustoleum kit and it worked great. Prep is the key like the post above said. After the paint was on and had set for a few days I went back and hit it with a heavy coat of clear. Then I let it sit for a week before I even walked on it. Looks good and cleans up nice!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif