VCT tile now done. Looks great!

[magnusrx7]

Picking up an old thread! Sorry but I'm new here..

Probably going to use Armstrong in my garage.
Anyone had more problems with these?

// Magnus

 

[groucho]

OK, now 3 yrs later, how do you maintain it? I have similar floor in my shop and it's time to strip/clean and wax. What's your method(s)?

 

[ronstory]

My new garage is approaching a year old and I love of the look of VCT. Before I dive in, any update from the experts on how well their floors have held up in the last 3+ years?

Thanks,
Ron

 

[Mac Attack]

Mine's probably three years now.

It's still in great shape really. No deep scratches, chipping, tiles coming up, cracks developing, etc. Mine isn't a shop, but a well-used working garage. I do take care though when putting vehicles on jackstands to slip an extra tile under them.

It is looking pretty grungy now though up close. I'll have to admit, the first year the floor looked awesome. I kept it extremely clean, was very careful not to try and scratch it, put down mopped wax coats every 5 or so months, etc.

The second year, cleaning and waxing slipped a bit, but it still looked good.

Now, this past third year I let it slide. I keep it swept, but I've got paint overspray on it, dried degreaser car dripping remnants, and it's just generally dirty.

Ever since I saw a few more people have done the epoxy overcoat this past Fall, I knew I was going to do that. That's another reason I've let it slide. Three years ago, only one other fellow had done that to his floor, and then never seemed to post again on how it held up. I'll just rent a commercial sander, clean it up, and then epoxy over it. Because, I have to admit, as the years pass, the mopped waxing gets pretty old.

Still glad I did it and would do it again. Once I grind and epoxy, it will look better than new.

Dave

 

[ronstory]

Dave--

Great feeback and thank-you. I've been watching the epoxy over VCT threads and will likely head the same direction. I would like a year with a nice shiny waxy floor. It will remind me of one of my early jobs as a box boy at a grocery store. ;^)

Any problems with liquids getting between or under the tiles?

Thanks,
Ron

 

[Mac Attack]

No, no problems with liquids or anything getting between the tiles.

I think I waited about a week after laying the tiles to put down 5 or so coats of wax. There may be some minimum time period before applying wax/epoxy - I forget.

But, if you do apply wax or epoxy soon after laying the tiles, it will seep and harden between any small gaps you may have to keep future dirt/liquids out.

If your floor won't have excessive moisture, is level, you've done a great job prepping it, and used a good adhesive you shouldn't ever have any problems with tiles coming up.

Dave


Yeah, my floor has been down since ~May '07. Found some old posts/pictures when it was new:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=159749&postcount=81

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=229749&postcount=129

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=229978&postcount=133

 

[groucho]

How do you SAND the VCT after stripping the wax? Not by hand, as it's a large area. I want to just remove a touch of the tile for a fresh surface before re-waxing

 

[38D]

x 2 !! Gravel here too

Also for those that have it; The install instructions say that "During the service life of the floor the temperature should never fall below 55°F". Are you guys complying with that? If not has it been an issue with durability of either the tile or the install?

I'd love to do this, but the temp restriction is a major concern! Thanks

I live outside Boston, and have not had any issues with my VCT in low temps...it was in the mid teens last week and everything was fine.

 

[Mac Attack]

How do you SAND the VCT after stripping the wax? Not by hand, as it's a large area. I want to just remove a touch of the tile for a fresh surface before re-waxing

I was just planning on doing this to take up the wax and expose a fresh surface:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1224140&postcount=6

I tried the Armstrong chemical stripper and it didn't work for me at all. I just got some sporadic areas stripped and it looked terrible. That's about the time I gave up waxing it too!

You can spend $50/year and a lot of time for three wax jobs, or, just spend $200 for a much more durable epoxy top coat.

My $0.02.

Dave

 

[mrstang69]

Nice garages!

 

[groucho]

I was just planning on doing this to take up the wax and expose a fresh surface:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1224140&postcount=6

I tried the Armstrong chemical stripper and it didn't work for me at all. I just got some sporadic areas stripped and it looked terrible. That's about the time I gave up waxing it too!

You can spend $50/year and a lot of time for three wax jobs, or, just spend $200 for a much more durable epoxy top coat.

My $0.02.

Dave

I have a machine, but no-one around here seems to know what the 60-100 grit screen is. I have a pad driver and black scotch brite type pad. But that's it. I need something more aggressive

 

[Mgrig]

I am thinking about doing the Armstrong or another brand of tile in my garage as many of you have. Do you have any problem with the tile being slippery when wet? I have a concern that my wife or kids might take a dive if and when the floor get wet.

Thank you in advance

Mark

 

[steve911]

I have VCT in my garage. I wouldnt call it slippery when wet but a little on the slick side. My wife and grandkids have never taken a spill out there when the floor was wet.

 

[Mgrig]

Steve,

Thank you.

 

[mrstang69]

Hey guys... I haven't been here in a long time since finishing my garage, but to add a few notes of "experience" after having VCT in my garage for a couple years now, I have found that the biggest problem is indeed finding a suitable way to keep the tires from marking the floor... When you get stains they are nearly impossible to remove, I have actually taken 320 grit sandpaper to the floor in attempts to totally remove the orangish stains... after doing this a couple times even WITH small rugs under each tire, I came up with this solution... its a little more expensive than transparancy sheets (a good idea btw!) but I think it looks pretty cool since my garage cabinets also feature polished diamond plate. I had some 1'x2" sheets cut and the edges beveled, and they work pretty well. I put some adhesive felt on the back to keep the plates themselves from scratching my floor polish. In general, VCT is pretty nice stuff, stays pretty decent, and I have yet to ever strip the floor... when it gets pretty scuffed and scratched looking I throw a few more coats of Armstrong polish on it and buff it out with my DeWalt buffer on my hands and knees... sort of a PITA, but it really brings up the shine. I'm thinking in the spring I may clear everything out of the shop and attept to strip all the layers of polish and start over, as I THINK I'm starting to see evidence of the multiple layers of polish turning slightly yellow... I just KNOW stripping it is gonna be a nightmare though, so I'll decide in the spring! Anyhow, here's some pics of my treadplate idea for preventing tire stains.

Sorry guys and girls. just marking this page so i can find it later. Need to put diamond plate on my floor as well.

 

[easyrider7467]

Great Thread...

How about this "slippiness" concern? Anything to combat this? A product was mentioned earlier in the thread but no input. It was a wolverine coating suggestion.

I must say that my ONLY hesitation is the slickness of the tile when wet. I wash my cars in my garage due to no shade..

So lets have it..... Slickness remedy?

Thanks.

The final result is jsut great, great work everyone !!

 

[Jason B]

Mine's probably three years now.

Ever since I saw a few more people have done the epoxy overcoat this past Fall, I knew I was going to do that. Three years ago, only one other fellow had done that to his floor, and then never seemed to post again on how it held up. I'll just rent a commercial sander, clean it up, and then epoxy over it. Because, I have to admit, as the years pass, the mopped waxing gets pretty old.

Still glad I did it and would do it again. Once I grind and epoxy, it will look better than new.

Dave

Wondering who ever did epoxy over it and how it's held up

 

[litljay]

Thank you all for the feedback. I had my mind set on VCT until last night I read the Armstrong warning of 55 degree min temperature and got really scared.

You have all put my mind to rest. VCT here I come

 

[knight]

How does VCT hold up under hot tires?

 

[Slaman37]

It seems to me that you guys that are wondering about stipping the old wax off never spent time in the Military... lol... That was the first thing you learned.. Buffer Tech 1st Class...
Any way, I have been debating when the time comes of either going the VCT or Epoxy. I'm in the middle of restoring my 70 Monte Carlo right now so still doing some welding/grinding etc...
Anybody have experience on it holding up to this? Read through all 9 pages and seen this asked several times but never answered.
On the flip side I have seen these tiles last 20 plus years on ships and think they hold up pretty well but will wear through after 20+ years of constant traffic with weekly stripping and buffing. I have also seen them get pretty serious gouges in them but with a new coat of wax they didn't look to bad. All in all I may still go this route...

My garage currently:

Steve

 

[Chuck W.]

I have had mine installed for over 3 1/2 years without issue. There are a few mares where I put a jack stand directly on the floor. Just did that once. I now put down a piece of wood or a piece VCT. As far as welding on it I can't help you there. I would guess any hot pieces of metal would melt and mare the VCT. You could always throw down a canvas tarp to protect it.

I bought a used high speed polisher on Craigslist for $250. Now every Sunday it gets a once over and stays looking great. Like anything, the more effort you put into the maintenance the better it looks.

 

[02chuck]

I have had mine installed for over 3 1/2 years without issue. There are a few mares where I put a jack stand directly on the floor. Just did that once. I now put down a piece of wood or a piece VCT. As far as welding on it I can't help you there. I would guess any hot pieces of metal would melt and mare the VCT. You could always throw down a canvas tarp to protect it.

I bought a used high speed polisher on Craigslist for $250. Now every Sunday it gets a once over and stays looking great. Like anything, the more effort you put into the maintenance the better it looks.

That floor looks great! Having worked the grocery business and now in hospitals, I have seen the durability of the VCT tiles. They can look pretty funky, but strip it good and coat w/polish and it comes back to life. I to got the USMC class on floor maintenance. A little Pledge, a cotton towel and a buffer the floor were like glass (slippery as hell though).

 

[rburke65]

Are the tiles slippery when wet? Man.....how many times has that been asked and answered?

 

[PeterT]

What do you use to polish and wax the floor,, what makes it so shiny?

What brand wax or polish mix?

 

[Chuck W.]

Are the tiles slippery when wet? Man.....how many times has that been asked and answered?

It is only wet when stripping it and that was only once. When it rains it is wet in spots but not an issue.

What do you use to polish and wax the floor,, what makes it so shiny?

What brand wax or polish mix?

I use any high wax level; 28 to 30 %. Last time I used Armstrong. I buff it weekly with a highspeed buffer (2500 RPM) using first a hogs hair pad then a white pad. Fun stuff.

 

[gonefirefighting]

I would love to go this route but I think with all the welding, grinding, plasma cutting, body work, painting and frame up resto work I do I doubt it would hold up through my first project.

anyone have these tiles and inflict the same amount of use as I do?

 

[Jason B]

It won't hurt it at all. Remember, this is the same stuff you see at Target that's been there for year and years, taking tons of abuse from pallet jacks, and all types of heavy use.

 

[JimVonBaden]

the concrete with VCT. It can still harm the adhesive.

Another spammer?

Jim

 

[jayc]

Back from the dead ... to ask a question.

How level does the floor have to be? My floor is far from level ... I have a couple of spots that heaved a bit right after the floor was poured. I could probably grind the really bad spots, but I'll never get the floor 100% level.

I'll drop my 4ft level on a couple of bad spots to see exactly what I'm dealing with ...

 

[JimVonBaden]

Back from the dead ... to ask a question.

How level does the floor have to be? My floor is far from level ... I have a couple of spots that heaved a bit right after the floor was poured. I could probably grind the really bad spots, but I'll never get the floor 100% level.

I'll drop my 4ft level on a couple of bad spots to see exactly what I'm dealing with ...

You will need to smooth the edge, but the VCT can take some shape. I would guess 1/4" to 2" distance would work.

Jim

 

[ketas47]

I have been debating over epoxy and VCT and I think I am going with the tile. Your floor looks great!! But, I have some questions. 1.I have a fairly level floor except there is 2 drains in the garage and over a 4 foot span the floor slopes to the drain about a inch. Do you think this will be a issue? 2.Do I have to fill the expansion joints? 3.I also have infloor heat and would this be an issue? And my last concern is that I live in Wis and get alot of snow and salt dragged in the garage. Thanks for any input and again the VCT looks great. (P.S. seems like alot of people are making the switch from epoxy to tile!!!)

 

[steve911]

Here is my advice. I too live in Wisconsin and experience the same thing as you with snow and salt although I keep up after it. (mop and or squeege).
I did caulk my exxpansion joints. Why? A good question that I don't know if I have an answer to. I thought it was the thing to do at the time.

With regards to your drain slope, the best thing you can do is take a heat gun and preform the tile to match the slope prior to glueing it down. I was told in floor heat was not a problem.

I have gas forced air furnace in mine. The other thing that I did, was to wax the heck out of the floor. I went to my local janitorial supply place and bought commercial floor wax/sealer. The floor shines like everything and nothing gets into the seams. Yes, it can get slippery when wet, but for me its a no brainer tradeoff. I'll take the shine any day.

 

[nicobkn]

This seems like a great idea! My dad has a cleaning company so I have access to high speed polishers and wax.

Do you guys think this flooring would be strong enough to carry one of this around?

It weights around 800lbs.

I detail cars as a part time job during the summer. Most of the time the lift will stay in the same spot but in case I have a larger car I'd to move the lift around.

Cheers

 

[JimVonBaden]

The steel wheels will leave marks, but it won't cause failure.

Jim

 

[ketas47]

steve911 where did you buy your vct (how much,if you dont mind) and did you do alot of prep to the concrete? Your garage looks great!!! My garage was built in 2008 and is about 1000sq. ft. Thanks Terry

 

[1299]

As far as waxing, would it be a safety issue when riding a motorcycle into the garage?

 

[JimVonBaden]

As far as waxing, would it be a safety issue when riding a motorcycle into the garage?

I ride mine into the garage all the time!

Jim

 

[steve911]

steve911 where did you buy your vct (how much,if you dont mind) and did you do alot of prep to the concrete? Your garage looks great!!! My garage was built in 2008 and is about 1000sq. ft. Thanks Terry

I bought all of my VCT through Home Depot. They could get
The colors I wanted without paying extra. I paid about 1.10 per sq ft. The only prep to he concrete was to sweep it about 10 times to and sure all of first was off that might show through the tile. A dry damp mop for the dust, let it dry and then start laying the tile.

 

[ketas47]

Thanks for the information! One more question, I see some people cover the tile with a epoxy clear coat with uv protection (so not to yellow) and slip resistant material, instead of waxxing, Good thing to do or not, and if I do apply epoxy clear coat do I have to do anything to the tile before applying?Thanks

 

[bullnerd]

I have a quick question too. Do they have to be coated or polished? I like the flat look like Jims.