Flooring Finish - Undecided

[PaPaPie]

I'm undecided about the finish flooring to use on my new garage concrete floor. I would like to use epoxy, however from what I've read on this forum is that if the floor isn't prep perfectly the epoxy will not adhere properly. I'm also considering just sealing the concrete because it may be alot easier and faster. The garage will be used mainly for storing and maintaining a motorcycle, lawn tractor, tools, etc.. I'm located in a cooler climate area with the temperature high's in the 50's so curing time may be a factor. There is a Sherwin Williams and a Diamond Vogel store in my town so I would probably purchase the needed supplies there. I would appreciate any comments.

[Luckydevil]

I'd say it is too late in the year for you to apply epoxy. You'd have to wait until spring/summer for the proper floor temp. Not sure about the sealer, but it may be more leniant on the application temperature.

The epoxy is more of a protectant while the sealer is just that, a sealer. The sealer isn't going to do much to protect the floor from a kickstand. On the other hand I have had friends turn their bikes around on the kickstand in my garage (epoxy) and it just left a scuff mark that I could wipe away.

I'd honestly just leave the floor bare before I used sealer. Have you thought about tiles?

[JohnHenrys48]

A major problem with epoxy is hydrostatic lift. The epoxy creates an air tight seal on the surface of the concrete and if water leaches up through the concrete it will actually "pop" the epoxy loose. If you do decide to go with epoxy and the floor doesn't have a vapor barrier, you should do a vapor test.

The test can be done with a piece of plastic wrap and duct tape. Create an air tight seal of about 2 square feet using the platic wrap and duct tape. The plastic wrap probably will not be two feet wide so just make it longer. Leave this set for about 48 hours and check for condensation. If water vapor does appear I think epoxy is out of the question.

Judging by your temperatures, you might have a problem, so a call to the manufacturer of the product you might use would be good.

Good luck, and don't forget the pictures.

BTW, check out the Vinyl Composite Tiles a lot of the guys are using. That might be an alternative. It will be a little more pricey though.

[GearHead_1]

Different manufacturers require that their product be applied at different temperatures. Mine happened to prefer an ambient air temp of 68 degrees. No mention of actual floor temp. This being the case, if you have the ability to heat the building in theory you could do the job most any time.

[PaPaPie]

I forgot to mention that I do have a "Hot Dawg" unit heater, so I can keep the space warm. Not sure if the combustiblity of the epoxy will be a problem during the application. Thanks John Henry, I will take the moisture test this weekend.

[RonBou]

My suggestion... heat the garage with the Dawg. Shut the main switch on it just prior to painting the floor. Look at your directions. On some paints you will need to open the garage doors to ventilate (sp) while applying it...others...it won't matter. If you can wait until spring it would be the best.

[Hammerdown]

Catalyzed epoxy products cure from the inside out, so it will cure in cooler temperatures but it will take longer. Plan on not using your space for a week or two if you are coating in 50 degree weather. If the epoxy is a solvent based product you should have no exposed flames or pilot lights during application and during the initial cure to tack free. The epoxy will emit flammable vapors. Heating the area prior to application is a good idea. Aboid the sealer, you will regret it and its removal prior to another coatings application will be necessary.

[muddy]

I actually picked up my ArmorSeal 1000 a couple days ago....18 gallons and 4 gallons of the reducer..........I'm going to go ahead and do the house garage floor in addition to the floor of my new shop.......(look for detached garage threads in gallery)........
I'm a little concerned about weather and curing of concrete, but I'm also fighting the impending winter weather that will be on us in no time. It's supposed to be sixty or so both days this weekend. The Sherwin Williams guys are telling me that it should be no problem with my floor curing as it has been a month since we poured it. I know some say up to 45 days but that will put me probably in too cold a temp........
I rented the shotblast machine today so will have it for the weekend. Any opinions on curing time and painting epoxy this time of year? Thanks Keith

[krooser]

The epoxy generally needs 50 degrees to cure....that shot blast macine should smooth out the concrete...Right? Go for it!

[cork]

what did rental cost on a shotblast machine ? I looked everywhere in PA several years ag and could not find one to rent.

[muddy]

250.00 a day, 400.00 for two days........it's alot but I actually got to pick it up friday and bring back monday and just get charged for one day.....shot is thirty a bag....... Keith