Garage Flooring Covering

[R1100R]

I have just finished building a new two story garage. The bottom floor is standard finished concrete. I want put a epoxy/paint/tile covering on it.

Has anyone one on here has ever used any of these products or can give me any recommendations it would be greatly appreciated. It will be used to park vehicle,motorcycles and four wheelers on. The upstairs will be my new toy/play/work room. a place to get away from reality.

Thanks.

[nightrunner]

i like just the regular sealer they normally use inside garages.

[cadillacdude1975]

are you wanting the floor to be stain resistant as well as slip resistant?

[TGO David]

I helped a friend use some stuff that he ordered off of the Internet a few years ago. It was similar to the poly-resin that they sell at the home improvement warehouses but probably a little better. I'll see if I can get him to email me the details.

We had to acid wash the concrete several times since his garage had already seen traffic, but I do remember that the instructions recommended doing the same at least once to new construction even. The prep work was essential for getting a good bond to the concrete.

I'd avoid using the stuff with grit in it for traction unless you just put it in a few places where foot traffic is likely. It's not near as easy to mop up oil and other spills when you have the grit additive in the resin.

[Guest gsbell]

Have you considered the rubber floors?

[TripleDigitRide]

I helped a friend of mine do his garage floor. He used a product called Muscle Gloss. Unlike most of the stuff you'll find at places like Lowe's and Home Depot, this stuff is 100% epoxy. It's not solvent or water based.

Like Tungy said, it would be a good idea to prep/wash the floor before using the product. IIRC, my friend purchased a cleaning solution from the Muscle Gloss company. Instead of using the scrub brush method, we used a couple push brooms to scrub the floor. Much easier on the back and knees.

He even purchased (for an extra charge) those pretty plastic (or whatever they're made of) chips to add a little "flash" to the floor. It was a good thing he purchased extra chips, because they weren't easy to spread evenly, for the look most people are looking for. They also help make the floor a bit more slip resistant. This may or may not be an issue with you, but I can tell you, it works. He also sealed the bathroom in the garage, but opted not to use the chips in that area. I was using said bathroom (with a wet floor), and busted my a$$. This product creates a VERY smooth surface, and can become VERY slippery if liquid is spilled.

With that being said, the floor has held up beautifully. After about 5 or 6 years now, the floor still looks like new. And he uses the heck out of it. We even had a transmission for an F-350 fall off the stand, and it only left a scratch. It's tough.

[R1100R]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I am open to all options right now. I do want something to stand up to use. It will be used for maintenance of my cars and bikes.

Edited August 3, 2008 by R1100R

[strickj]

Interlocking rubber floor tiles are the best things since preloaded ammunitions

[cadillacdude1975]

here is a few options to look at...

http://www.bigfloors.com/Garage-Flooring-C1.aspx

http://www.allgaragefloorpaint.com/many-forms-of-garage-floor-paint/

http://www.ecosafetyproducts.com/Floor-Coatings-Stains-s/60.htm?gclid=CI7p4JjA8pQCFQWL1Qod3kllqA

i work in an auto service garage and we have the rubberized adhesive floor covering that is tiled in 1x1 squares. it use to be your average smooth garage floor concrete and it was bust ass slick. that floor was installed 6 years ago and there hasnt been a slip since.

[shaftbass]

I used Rustoleum on my brand new garage floor 2 years ago. I didn't have to do any prep work, but I did let the concrete cure for 30 days. The key is to not use the floor for ANYTHING until you can coat it or you risk contaminating it and may have to acid etch it.

Anyway, no prepping, two kits of Rustoleum, lots of car work and hot tires on it with no pickup or damage to the floor.. still looks great.

I taped around the perimeter and threshold so it would look clean, and I cut in all around with a brush, then rolled with a 6' pole and 11" roller in 3x3' sections as stated in the instructions.. then I spread the paint chips on the wet areas.

It was really easy and cheap. Just follow the instructions. One kit does approx 250sq ft @ $63.

Brand new:

Now: