Author Topic: Garage floor suggestions (Read 4680 times)

soccerjoe · « **on:** November 30, 2006, 12:18:15 AM »

I am getting ready to clean up the old garage floor and i wanted to see what you guys have done or seen done that works best for keeping stains and the like off the floor. I can't decide whether to use the epoxy with the speckles or whether i should just stain it and put a sealer overtop. i know i've seen and heard good things about the speckled epoxy floor on speed, but i want to do this as cheap as possible because, as long as it works, i really don't give a rats ass how good it looks. I just want easy clean up and no stains. what do you think?!

Gunni · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2006, 06:26:36 AM »

have you thought about what color?
a plain white one will loko horrible all the time and reflect the above lights possibly in a unfavourable fashion,

get something that is easy to clean with water and oil cleaner or similar and squege(sp?)

soccerjoe · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2006, 07:53:51 AM »

If i were to go epoxy it would be grey with blue speckles or tan with brown. I think if i were to stain it i would get a semi-clear, which would make the floor alot darker but keep the natural color, and then apply the sealer that would give it a wet look. I'm leaning towards the tan for epoxy cause it matches the house better, but the stain would give it a nice look too. seems like both do the job, but i think the epoxy might be tougher, and more expensive. i just need something that i can hose down if gets too messy as well as repell oils and whatnot. either way, by the end of this weekend, i should have a nice, clean place to work on my cars.

and it's spelled squeegee. i had to look it up. funny word.

soccerjoe · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2006, 08:05:03 AM »

Ok so after doing another quick search, what seems to pop up the most is the epoxy. apparently thats the way to go. so now all i need to decide is what brand. the two i've been looking at are rust-oleum and quikrete. i think they're probably the same thing. the rust-oleum one has a nice video though to show how its done, kinda. Anyway, I'll make my decision in the store i guess. i'll snap some photos when it's done.

Thanks for the input!

FL318is · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2006, 08:13:13 AM »

I think either one will do. The contractor used rust oleum on mine and I like the results. I actually wash my car in the garage and then squeegee the water out, hit the fans and grab a beir. The oil and fluids on the floor clean up easily.

Alpine003 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2006, 08:55:41 AM »

I've done all combos before and unless you either prep your floor meticulously or have a new concrete floor or have it done professionally, the off-the-shelf epoxy doesn't work that great in the long run. I've seen commercial stuff last quite awhile with lots of abuse though. Once again, it's all in the preparation.

Over the years, I've used garage paint, Rustoleum epoxy, Quickrete, race-deck, , rubber squares, commercial tile. I've personally found commercial tile to be the best for my application.

There are a few determing factors and it's really dependent on your envrionment and application.

If you do light work, you can get by with the regular consumer epoxy. But you should do the moisture test first.

Moisture Test: duct tape a 2'x2' square plastic film to the floor and see if it collects any moisture from underneath. If it does, there's a good chance your epoxy will lift over time.

Also depends on usage, like if you weld, use heavy hoist and equipment, etc.

Speckles are just for grip but if you don't like the look, you can substitute sand in it's place.

You'll want to use Muriatic acid at the least to prep your concrete floor if it's not new.

My $.02

soccerjoe · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2006, 11:29:03 PM »

well if FL318is' floor held up in this climate i assume that should be no problem. I'll deffinitely give the moisture test a go. I bought the Rust-oleum stuff today. It's pretty cool. Along with instructions you get and instructional dvd. good visual aide if you ask me. the kit came with a solution to clean the floor with that has alot of acid in it. maybe I'll make a trip out to the pool for some muriatic stuff seeing as how i wont be using it for a while. I will deffinitely be meticulous with the prep. the same as if i were painting the car. but we shall see. If it holds up for a couple years I'll be happy.

I decided to go gray. haha. had to make sure there was an 'r' in there. at the very least it will give ma something to do this weekend and make me finally clean the garage. next on my list organization... eventually.

Once again thanks for your input. I'll for sure get some before and after shots.

M42boy · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2006, 09:23:52 AM »

Quote from: soccerjoe;14741

Ok so after doing another quick search, what seems to pop up the most is the epoxy. apparently thats the way to go. so now all i need to decide is what brand. the two i've been looking at are rust-oleum and quikrete. i think they're probably the same thing. the rust-oleum one has a nice video though to show how its done, kinda. Anyway, I'll make my decision in the store i guess. i'll snap some photos when it's done.

Thanks for the input!

My suggestion is: DON'T DO IT!!!!!!

This is good for people who own new cars that leak nothing and don't do work in thier garage. If you do, just clean up the floor well and put a sealer on top.

Unless you spend $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ to get a real professional grade job done (like I've seen in an aircraft hangar and multi-million dollar race shop), I wouldn't touch the stuff. Especially the Lowe's/Home Depot DIY kits.

I highly reccomend you don't do it... Gas, brake fluid, etc.. will all screw with it. Just my $0.02 worth.

dbgrubbs · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2006, 09:46:40 AM »

Don't think you're right m42boy! I've had the rustoleum stuff on a concrete floor at work for 2 years. It gets subjected to brake fluid, oil, sand, dirt, etc. Never had any problem with it and we didn't really prep it as we should have. I like the stuff.

soccerjoe · « **Reply #9 on:** December 01, 2006, 09:56:31 PM »

We shall see i guess. I already bought the stuff and i dont feel like returning it. Most of the garage will be used up by new cars, an Escalade and a Rodeo, but the third space plus the four feet between the two doors will be subjected to the punishment. The reason for this is to not let anything soak in, and i don't plan on leaving massive spills overnight. Probably at most a few hours. And as I am hesitant to try my hand at complete engine swaps and major surgery just yet, I think it should be just fine. Never know you may be right in not thinking it's a good idea. I figure if it gets effed up, I'm out $120. So far there're a few who say only by pros, a couple say don't do it, and an equal amount of supporters. I'm gonna do it and prove somebody wrong!

AL GReeNeRy · « **Reply #10 on:** December 02, 2006, 04:59:49 PM »

i've been thinkin about doin this project as well. what can i use to remove current stains on my garage floor before i do this? i have a TON of stains all over the place..

soccerjoe · « **Reply #11 on:** December 02, 2006, 08:59:27 PM »

Tonight I finished cleaning the garage floor with the provided acid. You just sprinkle it on the floor after you wet it, wait a couple minutes, and then scrub until your arms are gonna fall off. did the trick though. there were still some spots that it didn't quite remove, but for the most part it did the job. So first thing tomorrow morning I'm breakin out the rollers and giving it a go. The moisture test turned out fine, no problems. Just letting the floor dry overnight. I don't think the garage has been this clean since we moved in.

soccerjoe · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2006, 01:53:05 PM »

Just finished painting the floor. It was relaxing compared to the scrubbing. I was iffy about the flakes but it turned out really well. tonight I'll be able to walk on it so i can check out my handy work. It's gonna suck parking outside for a week. Having a garage has spoiled me.

Choking Hazard · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2006, 09:56:17 PM »

Picture- Now!

soccerjoe · « **Reply #14 on:** December 07, 2006, 12:19:47 AM »

sorry. i'll get em as soon as i get my camera back. don't let your girlfriend borrow technology. something always happens. hopefully this weekend. we'll see. looks good though. the flakes actually made the surface a bit textured rather than being purely decorative. seems like it would help keep it from being super slippery. i think maybe it could've been thicker but it still looks great. i've yet to see if it actually works and keeps stains away because you have to wait a week before you can drive on it. but as of this weekend it'll get it's first test.