Garage flooring options

[Picklz]

So now that I finally have a garage of my own I've been looking at different options for the concrete floor. I want something that will both make the garage look a little nicer, and protect the floor from sand/salt and fluid spills from working on cars.

There are tons of options - Mats, Locking tiles, Vinyle tiles systems, epoxy, etc. Each seem to have their own pro's and cons.

If anyone has experience with a specific product please share them here.

Right now I'm looking at going with this epoxy system
http://www.epoxy-coat.com/

It is a 2 part all solids system, it's not water based and does not appear to require acid etching of the concrete, and the price is fairly attractive. So share your opinions, and when I eventually settle on a product I'll update with my progress.

[Jana]

I was told that the epoxy coating did require the acid etching, which is why we decided against it...

[Picklz]

It's going to depend on what product you buy, as I understand it anyway. The first option I was looking at did require etching which I also wasn't too keen on doing, this one however does not.

Here is one person who just sanded their floor, no etching or anything. Even the sanding isn't required but I could see it giving a nicer finish at the end of the day, I think at the end of the thread he does a little 1-year review and it's holding up alright. (See post 78)

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1253&page=8

[ZoomZoom Diva]

I guess I don't see the big deal about the acid etching, but that's just me.

The kit says it contains everything needed, including to "Etch the surface in order to prepare it for coating", so I think that Epoxy Clean & Prep Solution also etches the concrete to the extent the paint requires.

This product also looks very tempting to me...

[AJ]

The acid etching is not a fun process to install to do from what I've been told.

A little more info on it: http://www.epoxyproducts.com/acid.html

I've also looked into "tuff carpet": http://www.diamondlifegear.com/tuffcarpet.html

And floor tile: http://www.diamondlifegear.com/maxtileflooring.html

[DrWebster]

I think Rust-Oleum has an epoxy-based garage floor paint; my dad used it on his garage floor, and after 5 years it still looks really good. It comes with some grit you can mix into the paint to make the floor more slip-resistant if you want. I think it was only like $50 and came in a couple colors. Not sure if you want something higher-end than that, but it seems to work well. I may eventually get around to doing my own garage floor with the stuff.

[Picklz]

The standard acid etching is a major pain, you really need to have a respirator and protective clothing, must get the mix just right, and you have to worry about cleanup and such. Not that it can't be done, but its a major turn-off for me.

Not too sure I'd want a carpet type solution in my garage, even if it is petro resistant.

VCT Is another option, it's an adhesive tile product that goes down fairly easily and sounds like it holds up fairly well, it's probably #2 on my list.

[niterydr]

I've done the acid etching on the shop when we did the dyno floor. NOT FUN, but lasts well.

[1fastmsp]

i work for The Sherwin Williams company and i stock a few different products for garage floors.

[AJ]

Hook us up, what do you stock. links and suggestions?

For me, I need cost effective as well, we have a 40 x 24 garage floor.

[1fastmsp]

I stock a full line of H&C masonry stains/sealers, and H&C epoxy kits (probably the best bet). I also have Industrial products such as Tread Plex and other types of epoxies. It depends on the abuse the floor will get as to what product you need. If you want to shoot me a PM with your cell number I can call you and set up a time to go to a Sherwin Williams and look at prices and products. I can either get you my employee discount (40% off) or run it threw an account, I’ll just have to be there with you. No biggie though.

[ZoomZoom Diva]

Garage Floor shopping meet?

[AJ]

I'll definatly be open to setting up a time to look once the final inspection is done (1-2 weeks tops).

[1fastmsp]

lol well you know where to find me.

[Picklz]

Well I've almost got the walls of the garage finished and painted, so I'm going to be moving onto the floor shortly. I've all but decided on the epoxy-coat system, and figured I'd share a little information I received on it.

I contact their support team via email and received responses to all my questions very fast, a couple within just a few minutes. The 'clean and prep' solution is actually a mild acid product, they reccomend cleaning the floor first, using degreaser on any soiled areas, and then letting everything dry. After that you mix and apply the 'solution' and use a garage broom to work it in, then you rinse and use baking soda to neutralize the pH of the floor. After that you are supposed to wash the floor 3 times (letting it dry in between) before applying the Epoxy.

I'll hopefully be ordering the product within a couple of weeks, and I'm going to try and document the whole processes for anyone considering doing the same.

[Big Nate]

Keep us all up to speed.

[Picklz]

Well, 1 full kit of epoxy-coat in Tile Red has been ordered, should get that in a week or so, then the fun starts :)