Garage Floor coating?

[gim]

I recently bought a house that was built in 1996 and I'd like to get some sort of surface coating down on the garage floor before I move in there.  The current house I live in was built in 2012 and every 2 years I applied concrete garage paint to the floor to protect it.  It was not a permanent solution since I did not intend to be there long term.  It was relatively easy and inexpensive to do.  The house I'll be moving into is a long term move.  Unfortunately, I did not take note of what condition the concrete garage floor was in when I looked at the house during the showing but I have to imagine that it may need at least some minor work.

 

Obviously having it done professionally is the ideal solution.  Hiring a company to treat and prep the existing concrete, and then apply a polyurea or epoxy coat that has a long term warranty is what I'd like to do.  However, I'm experiencing some logistical issues with that because I would need to have it done prior to moving anything into the garage.  Some of these companies that I could hire are backed up for weeks out and they can't just drop what they're doing to do mine.  Once I get my stuff in there, removing it for a few days again really isn't an option.

 

I've considered just trying to do it myself with one of those DIY Epoxy Shield kits.  Anyone ever try these?  How difficult was it?  Were you satisfied with the results?

 

Thanks

[TnRiver46]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

I recently bought a house that was built in 1996 and I'd like to get some sort of surface coating down on the garage floor before I move in there.  The current house I live in was built in 2012 and every 2 years I applied concrete garage paint to the floor to protect it.  It was not a permanent solution since I did not intend to be there long term.  It was relatively easy and inexpensive to do.  The house I'll be moving into is a long term move.  Unfortunately, I did not take note of what condition the concrete garage floor was in when I looked at the house during the showing but I have to imagine that it may need at least some minor work.

 

Obviously having it done professionally is the ideal solution.  Hiring a company to treat and prep the existing concrete, and then apply a polyurea or epoxy coat that has a long term warranty is what I'd like to do.  However, I'm experiencing some logistical issues with that because I would need to have it done prior to moving anything into the garage.  Some of these companies that I could hire are backed up for weeks out and they can't just drop what they're doing to do mine.  Once I get my stuff in there, removing it for a few days again really isn't an option.

 

I've considered just trying to do it myself with one of those DIY Epoxy Shield kits.  Anyone ever try these?  How difficult was it?  Were you satisfied with the results?

 

Thanks

I actually have done that with my

uncle, and I’ve put poly eurathane onto hardwood floors after we sanded them down . Results were good, but I was working with experienced people as a youngster. We didn’t have any kit, just Home Depot 

[NavyToad]

I did my garage with the Rustoleum epoxy kit 20 years ago and it’s still holding up good as new.  I didn’t own a pressure washer back then and I just scrubbed the heck out of the floor. Unless you have big oil spots it should be a piece of cake. Follow the instructions and focus your energy on the prep work.  Rolling the paint/epoxy on is a no brainer. With YouTube’s help you shouldn’t have a problem.

Prep, prep, prep! 

[Jigfishn10]

Most paint manufacturers make epoxy paints in various ... grades, I guess you can say. Ben Moore, Shewin-Williams, Glidden (try and find a retailer and do not use HD. Glidden changes their paint formula for HD to make it more affordable and doesn't cover well) and the like.

 

You want the 2 part epoxy paint that has an A & B components that you mix. I used Ben Moore the last time and that was 6 years ago. Looks the same as when I put it down. The materials were a bit expensive, but the 2 part epoxy paint we used was every bit worth it.

[Mike L]

If you choose an epoxy don’t use the 1 part product as that is mixed with latex. Because of the latex, it will have a tendency to crack and chip if the garage doesn’t have a somewhat stable temperature all year. 
That or a latex based product, which is the cheapest, will be fine if you plan on covering the floor. 

The 2 part epoxy is more labor intensive and goes on thicker. It will leave a shiny, almost polished look and be the most durable if you’re concerned with that. 
I suggest a solvent based epoxy instead of a water based fir the durability. 
 

An acrylic resin won’t be as shiny and best used for a floor that has major temperature swings. 
 

One thing…If you use an epoxy or acrylic, pay special attention to the way the manufacturer tells you to prep the floor. 
If you use an etching acid product be ABSOLUTELY certain that you get it all off.
Concrete is porous on a microscope level. If you don’t get it all out it can undermine the floor itself. 

 

 

 

Mike

[Jigfishn10]

Great post @Mike L

[Columbia Craw]

Contact your local fire department and ask what they use.

[Glenn]

I hired a company.  14 years later and it's still as good as new.

[gim]

14 hours ago, Glenn said:

I hired a company.  14 years later and it's still as good as new.

I'm having an estimate done next Wed for a polyuria coating which has a 20 year warranty.

[Deephaven]

My neighbor didn't prep right and his didn't last.  Curious what you choose as I need to do mine although getting everything out is going to be a *****.

[gim]

10 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

My neighbor didn't prep right and his didn't last.  Curious what you choose as I need to do mine although getting everything out is going to be a *****.

Oh I'm aware which is why if at all possible I'm trying to do this before I move stuff into the garage or house I recently purchased.  Same with carpet on the inside.

 

The estimate is being done by Distinctive Garage Floors out of New Brighton, MN.

 

 

[gim]

Circling back on this, as I had it done yesterday.  They were able to do the whole garage in one long day.  It so freaking nice!  I will post a photo when I'm able to.

[A-Jay]

11 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Circling back on this, as I had it done yesterday.  They were able to do the whole garage in one long day.  It so freaking nice!  I will post a photo when I'm able to.

Cool ~ 

Looking forward to the pics.

Congrats

What color did you go with ?

A-Jay

[gim]

23 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Cool ~ 

Looking forward to the pics.

Congrats

What color did you go with ?

A-Jay

 

Its battleship gray base with black, blue, and white flecks.

 

Also got new carpet installed in the basement and upstairs bedrooms yesterday.  These items sent my bank account into cardiac arrest.  The good news is that I intend to be there until I retire, so these upgrades are necessary.

 

#movingsucks

[Jigfishn10]

I bet the epoxy made a HUGE difference.

[gim]

On 5/18/2022 at 11:28 AM, A-Jay said:

Looking forward to the pics.

Here are a few.

[A-Jay]

Nice ~ 

I'm jealous.

A-Jay

[12poundbass]

On 5/18/2022 at 12:48 PM, gimruis said:

movingsucks

The garage floor looks super nice!

 

Yes moving does suck! We just finished our move last Friday. That was the second time in six month (stayed in rental while our house was being built). We counted the other day how many times we’ve moved in the 17 years we’ve been together and I wanted to puke! I told my wife the other day the next time I move I’ll be carted out of this place on a stretcher, feet first, in a black zip up bag! Toe tag is optional. 

[Jigfishn10]

Looks good!

Did they run the epoxy up the wall 4" or so? Makes it really easy to clean.  

[Mike L]

Looks great!

A lot better than most I’ve seen

 

 

 

 

Mike

[gim]

36 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Did they run the epoxy up the wall 4" or so? Makes it really easy to clean.

 

Sure did.  Several inches up the foundation block.  He also did the one step I have in the garage too.  The whole surface is also coated with an anti-slip material.  They can get a little slippery when wet.

 

Most of my cost was to prep the existing concrete in the garage.  A brand new build would cost far less because the concrete would be in new, perfect shape to accept the material and bond to it.

54 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Yes moving does suck! We just finished our move last Friday. That was the second time in six month (stayed in rental while our house was being built). We counted the other day how many times we’ve moved in the 17 years we’ve been together and I wanted to puke!

 

Luckily I haven't had to do a lot of moving in the past 15 years or so.  And I don't intend to be moving again until I retire in 25 years.  I've also got a 15 day gap from my previous house which is only 6 miles away so this time cushion and distance is making it as painless as possible.

 

This house I just moved to though, the yard is not as nice as my previous one.  My previous one was immaculate.  I got sod when I first moved in there 10 years ago and with all the rain we've been getting this spring, it was like a golf course.  This one isn't terrible, but its not as good either.  Its gonna need some work.

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

This house I just moved to though, the yard is not as nice as my previous one.  My previous one was immaculate.  I got sod when I first moved in there 10 years ago and with all the rain we've been getting this spring, it was like a golf course.  This one isn't terrible, but its not as good either.  Its gonna need some work

 

Mine is all dirt so I’m starting from scratch. That’s tomorrow’s plan.

[TnRiver46]

7 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

 

Mine is all dirt so I’m starting from scratch. That’s tomorrow’s plan.

I’m working on the all dirt yard at my moms. The builder laid some seed on a day when the wind blew it all into a nearby cow pasture hahah

[gim]

Surface preparation is key. Most of what you need to do is prepare your existing concrete to accept whatever protective coating you decide to apply. Fill cracks, repair pits, scrub it twice, and dry it fully.

 

Brand new concrete is obviously ideal to put a layer of protection on, if that’s an option.