Garage floor coating suggestions

[hotzuk]

Hello everyone,

I am a newbie to the forum. I am having my existing concrete garage floor removed and a new one installed. My garage is 24' x 24'. The new floor will be 4000 lb concrete. I would like to epoxy coat the floor since I do much of my own auto and motorcycle work. I will not be doing any welding work in the area. It will be your basic garage work.

I was thinking of using a coating system by www.ucoatit.com. I was wondering if anyone on the forum has used them. Would love to hear your feedback on the product.

I am also open to any suggestions on other floor coating products as well. I have even looked into RaceDeck tile as a covering but don't really like the idea of all those extra seams as part of installing the tiles. All feedback is really appreciated.

[Rex Ruby]

I used U Coat it and it sucks. I have tire lift and the finish really needed 3 coats not 2 like they advertise. Called them on their guarantee, they say it's my concrete. It was new concrete and prep and installation was exactly per their instructions. They just don't want to refund money.

Take a look at Rustoleum's industrial epoxy, you can get it at MAB paint stores.

[hotzuk]

Thanks for the honest reply. I will check out that Rustoleum stuff

[Wile1Coyote]

I have heard at least one person bitch about every single floor covering that I have ever heard of. Get lots of replies before you decide and be sure to do a moisture test to determine how much pass through you have from below the slab. I you have dampness weeping through the floor, NO epoxy or paint system will stick. You will have to go to tile or a vinyl covering. You will find all kinds of links to manufaturers here on my Car Page, scroll about 1/2 way down for the garage ones.

http://home.wideopenwest.com/~jrosenberger9038/carlinks.htm

[rockford33]

Check out www.sanitred.com. It is supposed to be better than an epoxy coating, more like a rubberized coating that will flex with the garage floor, thereby eliminating cracking. It might be a little on the expensive side dependnig on the size of your garage. I personally haven't used it, but have thought about giving it a try someday.

[byrdman]

I have heard at least one person bitch about every single floor covering that I have ever heard of.

You got that right. I've been doing floor coating research for months now and I think I'm now more confused than when I started. For every compliment there's at least one complaint!

[aero]

U Coat it and it sucks

[ZRWON]

Check out www.sanitred.com. It is supposed to be better than an epoxy coating, more like a rubberized coating that will flex with the garage floor, thereby eliminating cracking. It might be a little on the expensive side dependnig on the size of your garage. I personally haven't used it, but have thought about giving it a try someday.
I looked at their web site. Don't know about you all, but I couldn't figure out what I'd need to purchase to do my 800 sq ft garage floor...couldn't even see if they feel it applies to doing a garage floor (they do suggest it'll do about any other type "water proofing"). Maybe I'm just having a senior moment, but all other sites I've reviewed for my garage floor project, if I ever make a decision, were much more friendlier and garage oriented.
:confused: Another thought...When my floor was poured, the cement guy sprayed it with a 14 % mixture of MASCOCURE's cure and seal. They also used an 18% mixture when they did my patio (exposed aggregate)...18% because it produced a better shine to the finish. The garage floor looks like normal cement after 10 years. The patio still has a nice shine look after 6 years.
Wonder if I could put a coat of the 18% stuff on the garage floor. Anyone know anytbning about these cure and seal products? THANKS

[bacaruda]

So, Wile1, what did you use? I'mm looking real hard at that TC200.

[bacaruda]

Also found this at SAM's,
http://www.milamar.com/supercoat/

[Luckydevil]

I second the Rustoleum Industrial Epoxy. It has been on my floor for a year now with no raised portions or any other problems. Good stuff!

[rockford33]

I looked at their web site. Don't know about you all, but I couldn't figure out what I'd need to purchase to do my 800 sq ft garage floor...couldn't even see if they feel it applies to doing a garage floor (they do suggest it'll do about any other type "water proofing"). Maybe I'm just having a senior moment, but all other sites I've reviewed for my garage floor project, if I ever make a decision, were much more friendlier and garage oriented.
:confused: Another thought...When my floor was poured, the cement guy sprayed it with a 14 % mixture of MASCOCURE's cure and seal. They also used an 18% mixture when they did my patio (exposed aggregate)...18% because it produced a better shine to the finish. The garage floor looks like normal cement after 10 years. The patio still has a nice shine look after 6 years.
Wonder if I could put a coat of the 18% stuff on the garage floor. Anyone know anytbning about these cure and seal products? THANKS

This was their relpy to me when I sent them an email about a year ago:

I am looking for slip resistance-
The Heavy Duty Floor System, see:
http://www.sanitred.com/FloorCovering.htm
http://www.sanitred.com/hdfloorsysphotos.htm
http://www.sanitred.com/hdfloorratecost.htm

easy spill wipe-up-
The smooth system- 2 coats PermaFlex

Anything textured is not easy to clean. Most garage installations are
done
w/the smooth system, textured only in heavy traffic areas for
slip-resistance.

-----Original Message-----
Comments = I have a box of a 2 stage epoxy sealant. I was planning to
use
it to seal the garage floor of my townhouse (1 car garage, about 180
SF). I
am looking for slip resistance and easy spill wipe-up (oil, etc.).
Would
the Permaflex be a better product for this use? Thanks.


Look under Heavy duty flooring. They also have a rate of use chart for the Permaflex. For a 1,000 sf garage, you'd be looking at roughly $1900. Hope this helps you a little mor if you haven't made a decision yet.

[Wile1Coyote]

So, Wile1, what did you use? I'mm looking real hard at that TC200.

I haven't yet actually. I have thoroughly investigated U Coat it and I am convinced that if you do the prep right and your floor has a good moisture barrier the stuff does what it claims too. I understand that there are folks who have had problems with itand they feel that they did everything right. Don't know what to tell ya there but I have talked to the u-coat it guys at length (U coat it is local here in Motown) and I am convinced it is a good product.

However to do my garage is a bit over $800 and I am not planning on staying in my current place for more than a few more years so I am on the fence as to whether to do it or not. $800 pays for quite a few parts for my car restoration. Seems to me like $ spent on the garage doesn't really increase the value of my place proportionally. So I have been thinking about putting in something I can pick up and take with me when I go. Maybe like a parking mat but wall to wall. I have a buddy that does flooring so I plan to talk to him about whether he can get some thin (1\4") vinyl sheeting in like a 15 foot wide roll, that I could roll out. I have a lift though too and not sure about getting the sheeting under that or cutting around it etc.

So basically I am still making up my mind. Race deck is too expensive in my mind for what you get. I wouldn't mind doing Armstrong but again I don't want to invest in this house so...

On the upside my garage is pretty clean and the cement is pretty smooth. Now that it is spring I will finally take some pics of the Coyote's Den and get em up in the Garage Gallery.

[loosegroove]

Also found this at SAM's,
http://www.milamar.com/supercoat/


I am not sure what the deal is, but these guys have the exact same photo's and color's as the supercoat people. I wonder what product actually matches those photo's??

http://www.armorpoxy.com/html/armorfleck.htm

[byrdman]

Aero, Rex, you guys saying that the UCoatIt is no good- I'm wondering if you used the "UGloss-AF" topcoat or not? (The "AF" being Automotive Floor, for "more demanding automotive floors and exterior areas".)

I've been wondering if this could explain why some folks seem to love this stuff, while others say they did everything per instructions and hated it.

[bacaruda]

Gettin' down to crunch time soon, spend money. 'Want to not do this again for awhile. Down to Precision Epoxy, Super Coat, Rustoleum, and maybe the Por15 Hardnose epoxy.

PLEASE ADVISE AND WHY!
Jim.
jim.thorn@hds.com for discussion. :headscrat :headscrat

[jorober5]

I second the Rustoleum Industrial Epoxy. It has been on my floor for a year now with no raised portions or any other problems. Good stuff!

How well does this stuff clean up? I currently have an epoxy with urethane topcoat, and it wipes up very easily. I've seen stand-along epoxy's that were harder to clean.

Thanks!

[bacaruda]

Gettin' down to crunch time soon, spend money. 'Want to not do this again for awhile. Down to Precision Epoxy, Super Coat, Rustoleum, and maybe the Por15 Hardnose epoxy.

PLEASE ADVISE AND WHY!
Jim.
jim.thorn@hds.com for discussion. :headscrat :headscrat

Alotta response early on, but where'd every body go? I know not my thread, but
should be ours.

[Luckydevil]

How well does this stuff clean up? I currently have an epoxy with urethane topcoat, and it wipes up very easily. I've seen stand-along epoxy's that were harder to clean.

Thanks!

I use the swiffer with the bottle and an electric sprayer mounted in it to clean the floors. That model also has a thicker bottom pad and works great for me. For the stubborn spots I use a spray bottle with some pinesol or simple green.

[Hartz]

Hi - new member here - I did a quick search and didn't see any mention of Premier Garage. For those looking to have someone else do the prep work, they seemed like a decent option. Anybody have any thoughts or experience with them?

I realize this doesn't help to narrow down the previously mentioned choices - sorry!

Hartz

[Rex Ruby]

Aero, Rex, you guys saying that the UCoatIt is no good- I'm wondering if you used the "UGloss-AF" topcoat or not? (The "AF" being Automotive Floor, for "more demanding automotive floors and exterior areas".)

I've been wondering if this could explain why some folks seem to love this stuff, while others say they did everything per instructions and hated it.

I didn't use the gloss just 2 coats as they advertise as being suffient. On the second coat, I had some left so an area got a third coast. That area is very nice but it isn't an area that gets a tire patch, so I can't say of a third coat would solve my lifting problems. I followed the instructions perfectly on cured concrete. I recentyly parked the wife's GTO when it was cold and it lifted the coating. I complained and they sent me a test kit, I did more documentation then they even requested, their response was my concrete failed. BS, they will not refund anyone, they offered me a discount to buy more. Yea right, I got sucked in once! Eventually Iam going to either grind off UCOAT and use the industrial Rustoleum or do the Armstrong tiles. My whole UCOATIT experience is just disappointing as I did my due diligence before spending the money and it sucks and so does the company as they will not refund my money.

[Paul K]

I am currently prepping my floor for a coat of rustoleum garage floor paint. I have filled the cracks and dings, and plan to remove the paint marks. But I am most concerned about moisture in the concrete- is it best to wait until later in the season when the concrete is 'drier' to do this? Is it easy to patch bad areas? Does the included cleaner do a good job?

Thanks in advance,

Paul.

[bmwpower]

I didn't use the gloss just 2 coats as they advertise as being suffient. On the second coat, I had some left so an area got a third coast. That area is very nice but it isn't an area that gets a tire patch, so I can't say of a third coat would solve my lifting problems. I followed the instructions perfectly on cured concrete. I recentyly parked the wife's GTO when it was cold and it lifted the coating. I complained and they sent me a test kit, I did more documentation then they even requested, their response was my concrete failed. BS, they will not refund anyone, they offered me a discount to buy more. Yea right, I got sucked in once! Eventually Iam going to either grind off UCOAT and use the industrial Rustoleum or do the Armstrong tiles. My whole UCOATIT experience is just disappointing as I did my due diligence before spending the money and it sucks and so does the company as they will not refund my money.

Before the floor was poured, did you install a vapor retarder? Have you checked the moisture content of the slab?

[bmwpower]

I am not sure what the deal is, but these guys have the exact same photo's and color's as the supercoat people. I wonder what product actually matches those photo's??

http://www.armorpoxy.com/html/armorfleck.htm

Good question!

Either they have stolen their photos or they are a "distributor" of supercoat, merely slapping their name on the can...and probably jacking up the price as well.

Getting ready to do my garage, too...not sure what to use now...

[bmwpower]

Also found this at SAM's,
http://www.milamar.com/supercoat/

You found this at Sam's???

[Rex Ruby]

Before the floor was poured, did you install a vapor retarder? Have you checked the moisture content of the slab?

Yes and yes. Also a good friend used UC and has had the same lifting issues.