"MUSASHI66" (musashi66)
03/18/2019 at 11:02 • Filed to: None
1
59|
"MUSASHI66" (musashi66)
03/18/2019 at 11:02 • Filed to: None | 1
| 59 |
Oppo, have you ever applied one of these to your garage floor, and what worked better?
One is epoxy - it is cheaper, but it takes longer to cure.
Other is Polycuramine - it is almost double the cost, cures faster, and it is advertised as 20x stronger than epoxy.
My wife convinced me to move up north to Fort Collins, and we just signed a builders contract. If my heart doesn’t give up in next 6-8 months because of the expected mortgage, we will have a 3 car tandem garage + 4th car garage, with tons of space.
So, it will be brand new concrete. I am not sure if they seal it or not - if it is sealed, I’d need to scour the whole floor and use something to etch it before I apply. It seems the process to get the surface ready is a PITA - scouring, etching, sweeping, powerwashing, drying, and then you can apply and wait 1-3 days before you can drive over it. I’m not sure if I have that kind of patience. But, the final product looks way better than dusty, bare concrete.
Oppo, any thoughts and experiences you’re willing to share?
Censored
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 11:22 |
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My Father In Law has used the epoxy shield numerous times and it has pealed each time. Always under the tires and in the path that the tires take on the way into the garage. As nice as it is (when its new)
, this has always made me not put it down.
MonkeePuzzle
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 11:22 |
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all I can say is it’s worth the small extra fee to do it now before the garage is full of stuff, and has oil stains which can be a PITA the handle before you coat it.
facw
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 11:22 |
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I haven’t, but BlakeMT had a post Saturday mostly about applying the latter (well the “professional” version) :
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
From what I’ve seen, doing a white coating is awesome if you are willing to keep it clean. So much more ambient light under cars.
atfsgeoff
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 11:32 |
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Do yourself a favor and have it finished in porcelain tile. It is stronger, more durable and completely impervious to almost all chemicals, compared to epoxy. It will not crack or scratch
, you can put a car up on jackstands, use a floor jack, those wheeled car dollies, all that stuff. It won’t chip even if you drop a hammer on it.
It will cost a bit more up front, but as long as it’s laid correctly, it will last a century or longer and be far easier to clean.
Aremmes
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 11:33 |
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“2-part water-based epoxy”
Aww haayyle no. If it’s water-based, it’s not epoxy.
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MUSASHI66
> facw
03/18/2019 at 11:39 |
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Thank you! I missed that post. Now that I see the time involved... I am not sure I will be able to have the garage unused for a week after we close. I guess we can move in through the front door, but it will be hard not to have that storage.
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MUSASHI66
> Censored
03/18/2019 at 11:40 |
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It seems that prep is super important. I guess I could add some floor mats under the wheels to prevent peeling?
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MUSASHI66
> MonkeePuzzle
03/18/2019 at 11:42 |
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It’s not the money - it is time. We can’t do anything until we close, and once we close, we want to start moving in. Not having the garage for 2-3 days might be doable, we shall see. I don’t have to drive into it for 5 days, but walking after a day or two and storing boxes would be good.
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MUSASHI66
> atfsgeoff
03/18/2019 at 11:44 |
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Interesting... I can lay tile and I have the tile cutter. I never seen it done though, and with my experience with tile, no chance a piece of tile would survive a hammer being dropped on it without chipping.
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MonkeePuzzle
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 11:46 |
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even if you have to wait until you move in, and I can well understand wanting that garage space for throwing boxes in securely for a few days, just dont put cars in it before you seal or paint or whatever it. Its just so many extra steps to prep used concrete vs prepping new concrete.
OH how I’d heeded this advice when I’d got me house new. I deeply regret not taking care of my own brand new garage floor when I had the chance.
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atfsgeoff
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 11:47 |
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Censored
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 11:53 |
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He followed the prep to a T each time and on 2 of them was on brand new concrete cured the proper amount of time that the coating called for. He has put down at least 10 of these in varying conditions and has the same results each time. As long as you don’t drive on it or drop stuff on it, its great.
He first just put squares under each wheel and this prolonged the pealing. Over time, the path that the tires take into the garage would begin to peel and even under the carpet squares would start to almost chip where the tires sat.
Urambo Tauro
> facw
03/18/2019 at 11:54 |
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Huh, I’d n eve r even considered the ambient light angle until now. That’s going to be my #1 consideration now, if I ever refi nish my garage floor.
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MUSASHI66
> Censored
03/18/2019 at 12:05 |
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So epoxy might be out then. I wonder how the other stuff does.
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MUSASHI66
> Aremmes
03/18/2019 at 12:06 |
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I am tempted to do the other options although it’s twice the cost, because of durability concerns.
VincentMalamute-Kim
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 12:06 |
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I like Censored’s reasoning. I wonder how widespread his FIL’s experience is? Have you checked on
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/
?
I don’t have personal experience with epoxy floors but my last garage was concrete stained a very pretty brown pattern. From that experience, if it’s going to be a working garage, then I want to use sealer only.
BTW, I’m in Loveland. In case I need to borrow tools ;) I know some engineers in FtC and for some reason they all drive Fits.
bshappy
> atfsgeoff
03/18/2019 at 12:06 |
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I went with 2' square, ADA rated (not slippery when wet), non chinese made, porcelain tile and I could not be happier. I’ve dropped a hammer, axle, used a floor jack and jack stands right on it with zero drama. It cleans up super easy and is nearly unscratchable (I’ve tried). It wasn’t cheap but I dont have to worry about de la m ination or staining.
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bshappy
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 12:07 |
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These guys know garage flooring. I apologize in advance for sending you down the rabbit hole.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=20
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MUSASHI66
> MonkeePuzzle
03/18/2019 at 12:08 |
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That is why I want to do it asap - I think we’ll have a month before we pack our old house and move in, so I can probably afford 3 days or so for the more expensive option to cure.
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atfsgeoff
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 12:12 |
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Use industrial,
PEI group 4 or 5 rated tile. They are far more durable and chip resistant than ordinary bathroom or kitchen tile.
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MUSASHI66
> VincentMalamute-Kim
03/18/2019 at 12:12 |
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Well hello soon to be neighbor! I haven’t done any research yet - I like the hive mind here sending me in the right direction. I’ll check that website soon.
Talk to me about sealer only. I don’t have to have paint, and sealant with a nice hue would work. Is it super slippery? Did you seal and clearcoat? How durable was it?
PS. My title is Senior System Engineer, so I guess Fit will fit me well :D
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MUSASHI66
> bshappy
03/18/2019 at 12:15 |
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How expensive per sq ft is tile like that? I can install and I have the tools, but I also have around 800 sq ft, a new mortgage on a close to 1/2 mill home, and we still have to do landscaping, garage door openers, sump pump and backsplash and fridge and new sofa.... / brain explodes/
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MonkeePuzzle
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 12:17 |
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any chance you can have the builders do it for a small extra fee? or, knowing builders, is this just asking for it to be a $5k “upgrade”
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MUSASHI66
> atfsgeoff
03/18/2019 at 12:18 |
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This stuff is on a huge sale, and it is PEI 4
It might be worth looking into.
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MUSASHI66
> MonkeePuzzle
03/18/2019 at 12:20 |
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They switched to a new model, and they don’t offer many individual upgrades any longer. They now do packages, from base to $30000 and you just get more expensive shit as you go. I have a feeling it would be $3000-5000 if they did offer it, based on their pricing for other stuff.
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MonkeePuzzle
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 12:28 |
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additional option, I know there’s some places that will do the work for you, possible if you pay a garage flooring company they might be permitted to do it on-site during the construction phase.
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VincentMalamute-Kim
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 12:37 |
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Y
ou’re moving to FtC from somewhere else? I misread
your sentence
as you were moving to north
FtC, not moving north to FtC.
I have a little experience with sealer but I don’t know much of the technical info
. A Porsche Club member with a very fancy garage (of course) left his concrete gray and sealed it so I figure he must have done the research that sealer was best
. My old fancy concrete
stained floor was protected with a sealer.
It’s not a film protecting the concrete so it
can’t peel and lift off like
paint.
I think it’s the same sealer as you’d apply to stone/brick on the house. Keeps moisture, oil, liquids from seeping into
and staining the concrete.
Keeps the concrete from dusting off.
You’re supposed to reapply the sealer every so often (2-3 years?) in the high use areas. But it’s a hell of lot easier to apply than paint. Just pour on the floor and spread it around with a fiber mop. More like waxing. You can’t tell if you skip areas or only apply to the wear zones.
I don’t think you apply clearcoat above sealer - defeats the point of sealer. It wasn’t
slippery. Hard to tell it was there. C
oloring the sealer is an
interesting
thought.
I bet it’s not possible given that the sealer seeps down into the concrete - not enough thickness
for any colorant to be visible. And after my brown stained floor, I want to go as light as possible.
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MUSASHI66
> bshappy
03/18/2019 at 12:38 |
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God, so many choices... I’ll have to do some serious reading.
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MUSASHI66
> MonkeePuzzle
03/18/2019 at 12:39 |
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I might have to go and bribe some folks up there...
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VincentMalamute-Kim
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 12:40 |
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Since I’m too lazy to read the garagejournal threads, give us an executive summary of what you find out.
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MUSASHI66
> VincentMalamute-Kim
03/18/2019 at 12:45 |
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Moving from Denver to FoCo.
I used a sealer on some thin-brick I installed in the house. I really want something to prevent the concrete dust, and the sealer I had on the thin-bricks didn’t really give them the smoothness I hoped for.
I always see super cool driveways with acid etched surface that has been treated and it has a gloss and some color, and that would be the look I like - as long it is not slippery.
I think I just have more reading to do now.
Michael
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 12:51 |
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I did a base of the grey epoxy shield, top costed with Rocksolid clear. When I move, I will do exactly the same again. Your new garage probably will not come sealed.
I live being able to wip e up 75w90 with a paper towel
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atfsgeoff
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 12:52 |
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That’s a great deal on PEI 4 tile!
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MUSASHI66
> Michael
03/18/2019 at 12:53 |
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How long have you had it? I seem to be getting a lot of negative inputs with epoxy - peeling under the wheels.
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MonkeePuzzle
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 13:02 |
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fort collins, damned nice town. congrats on the move
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MUSASHI66
> atfsgeoff
03/18/2019 at 13:04 |
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Maybe I’ll go buy one, install it, and then hammer it and try to scratch it :)
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MUSASHI66
> MonkeePuzzle
03/18/2019 at 13:05 |
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Thanks! Wife is from there, and I dig it as well. My job is still in Denver, but I should be able to work 90% from home.
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MonkeePuzzle
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 13:09 |
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and i-25 is so much wider up that way now, getting to Denver for the 10% shouldnt be too much of a hardship
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atfsgeoff
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 13:13 |
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Good way of testing, just make sure to use good thinset and backbutter the tile before
laying. The key to tile strength is eliminating any voids between the tile and the concrete slab underneath it. As long as there are no voids, it should be even tougher than the concrete.
merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 13:25 |
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I’ve used the epoxy floor paint and it was okay. It did peel up a bit in some spots, but not too bad. We replaced that floor anyway and I just went with the plastic floor tiles similar to race deck, but sold at Costco. I love it. I am using it in my new garage at the new house as well. Epoxy is nice though, but I like the plastic floor better. Especially in winter with slush and snow melt. No more walking through puddles. Just let it drain to the nearest tile edge and away it goes.
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MUSASHI66
> merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
03/18/2019 at 14:56 |
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I’ve been looking at the Costco ones as well. Around $2 per square foot. I’d prefer 50 cents per sq ft if I can help it. I might end up with sealant only.
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Michael
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 16:03 |
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It’s all in the prep
First, tape a yard of clear plastic to the floor. Seal the edges with tape. If moisture forms, you have to seal first with a special product.
Aside from that, clean the concrete as best you can. Then pressure wash it. Then use the muriatic acid and pressure wash again. Then use the acid again, and wash out. I've picked up about a quarter size of the floor, when I was flushing my power steering fluid without jacking up the front end. Other than that, no problems whatsoever including dragging engine blocks across
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MUSASHI66
> Michael
03/18/2019 at 16:07 |
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That’s my biggest problem. That’s too much prep, plus 5 days of curing before you can drive.
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Michael
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 16:29 |
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I believe the poly had 25 hours til drive time
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MUSASHI66
> Michael
03/18/2019 at 17:32 |
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One from Lowe’s says 5 days I think.
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Michael
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 17:39 |
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MUSASHI66
> Michael
03/18/2019 at 17:43 |
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That’s polycuramine. It’s double the cost and half the cure time of epoxy.
But, I just realized you wrote poly in your last post, and epoxy in your first post, so I’m not sure which one you actually used.
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Michael
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 18:11 |
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Epoxy base, poly clear top
MM54
> MUSASHI66
03/18/2019 at 18:16 |
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Years
ago (when I worked construction) we did a rustoleum epoxy in a garage, the homeowner wanted white... okay. It went on okay, followed all the directions. It was very old concrete so it was only as clean as we could make it. About a month later got a call-back to touch up a spot where hot tires were parked on it and it lifted when she drove away. Looked nice - not sold on durability
, though (again this was close to a decade ago, they may be better now)
.
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MUSASHI66
> MM54
03/18/2019 at 23:22 |
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They advertise “no hot tire peel” but... you’re not the first that mentioned peeling.
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merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
> MUSASHI66
03/20/2019 at 11:50 |
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Yeah, I was just under $800 for my last two car garage, then I only needed to buy a few more boxes this time around for my new 3 car garage. The color choices are blah, but the stuff works great. Especially in the winter. I was looking at the UCoat epoxy back when I bought the first set of tiles and that would’ve been over $400 for my 2 car at the time. So the Costco floor wasn’t too much of a stretch.
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MUSASHI66
> merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
03/20/2019 at 16:59 |
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I’m torn between doing it right, doing it cheap and doing it exactly how I want it. Racedeck is what I want, but at $3.50 per square ft...
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atfsgeoff
> MUSASHI66
03/21/2019 at 13:33 |
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Shows the work and materials involved in doing a garage floor in porcelain tile, and how it’s been holding up over the past several years. Hint: He dropped some granite blocks on it accidentally. The granite chipped, and the
tile didn’t even scratch.
Also shows how beautiful it can be.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=3161&pictureid=33581
^^ Winter slush/salt/snow and road grime. After a quick hose-down, it’s immaculate again.
Dude even put a lift in over it.
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MUSASHI66
> atfsgeoff
03/21/2019 at 14:04 |
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I think my wife might be buying into the idea of racedeck or similar. We decided on a fridge solution that will save us $600 or so, so I just might be able to convince her to go for it.
Tile is just too involved, as are all these other solutions with extensive prep and lengthy install times. I’m decent with tile work, but I’d probably need 2-3 days for 800+ sq ft. I don’t think anything beats rubber tiles for the ease of installation.
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merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
> MUSASHI66
03/21/2019 at 14:13 |
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Yeah, I got over the racedecks conundrum. The black and silver works fine. And you can supplement racedeck pieces in the same floor if you want some of their drain tiles or different colors. If I remember correctly, they are the same thickness even. I have a couple samples buried in the moving boxes. Soon, very soon. Just waiting for the weather to break so i can get the garage setup. So. Many. Boxes.
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MUSASHI66
> merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
03/21/2019 at 15:21 |
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Costco sells a product for $2.08 per sq ft. I just might jump on that, but I have a few quotes out to see how much it would cost me for racedeck.
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merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
> MUSASHI66
03/22/2019 at 09:27 |
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Yeah, I use the Costco product. It’s a good alternative to the racedeck, but the color options and tile types are limited. Only issue I’ve had with it is when I’ve cut bolts off and the cut piece drops and melts into the floor. But that’s only happened once or twice. The tiles clean up so nicely, it’s really tough to beat. And they don’t deform under point loads. I’m a big fan.
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merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
> MUSASHI66
03/22/2019 at 09:28 |
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Oh yeah, and they run sales on the tiles at Costco. That’s when I’ve purchased mine.
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MUSASHI66
> merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
03/22/2019 at 16:10 |
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$100 for 48 sq ft is what they have now. Charcoal is what I want anyway colorwise. Is that about what you paid?