Question:
I have a new garage shop floor, about 60 days since it was poured, and
I'd like to coat it before it accumulates the usual tire
marks/oil/grease. First question, should I wait for more concrete cure
time? Second question, will a shop heater be sufficient, or do I really
need to wait for summer? It gets cold up here in northern PA. No matter
how much I heat the garage, the floor will still be cold.
Next set of questions, who has used what products and what do you
recommend? I've seen the Rustoleum epoxy at Home Depot (which gives NO
clue as to square footage covered on the packaging), in the Google
group archives someone recommended Sherwin Willians floor epoxy. Any
experience or opinions here?
I don't mind doing lots of prep, muriatic acid, etc., as long as it
pays off in the end! I have about 800 sq ft to cover.
Also I was thinking of mixing sand in where the autos go and none where
they don't, any technique or type of sand preferred?
Answer:
I am not sure about the home-owner versions of epoxy floor coatings,
however, a professional floor coating system will last, probably your
lifetime with daily use. It stands up in industrial plants for years and
years. This is not cheap, by any stretch of the imagination. But it is
extremely durable, with several different styles of top coat available.
I do not have info at hand on this...but there should be a flooring
specialist in your area who provides this service.
The sand the specialists use in epoxy floors is extremely fine...almost a
powder...
I just finished coating the basement and garage of a 4 year old house I
bought in Toronto, did a lot of reserch and found the preferred prep is shot
blasting. Was able to rent a small unit (8DEC) from ISP:
http://www.surfacepreparation.com/
Did the 1000 sq ft. in about 10 hrs. which included blasting off an acrylic
sealer in the basement. Used a diamond cup wheel on a 5" hand grinder for
the edges.
Didn't want to mess with muraiatic acid.
Finished the job with Endura:
http://www.endura.ca/
Two coats of primer and two of topcoat, went with slight off white or very
light grey. Looks great and I know it'll last longer than me
