I wanted to ask the question of anyone that has put down a DIY epoxy floor. Not trying to get pats on the back. Just curious. What product have you used that you felt was the best value for the money. Thanks in advance for any input! 
What have you found to be the best value?
- Thread starter rugerlady
- Start date
Hammerdown
Well-known member
Wow, I thought this would have sparked a debate with a multitude of responses! I hate to be the first post in any thread, and once I post my favorite I'm sure the hits will keep on coming.
Not to offend anyone, as this is MY opinion and what I have found to work for me.
About 10 years ago I switched over from using mostly Sherwin Williams products to using Ucoatit products. I found that they reduce my preparation time and work I have to put in, and produce a durable finish. I really like that there's no down time from prepartion to application, and you put on the primer on a wet floor! Saves a lot of time and aggrevation. They offer a number of different finishes from mild to wild, and the cost ranges greatly from abot 50 cents to a couple of dollars per square foot, depending on what you want. Since I have used them often and signed up for their contractor program I get a discount on purchases and have access to a wider variety of materials. Is it bullet proof and wear an S on it's chest, no. But is sure beats the heck out of a lot of other materials I can buy at hardware and HI stores. I like it. Not everybody will or should, but it's what I've found to be the best value for me. And I get very few callbacks once it's applied so I like that! I would typically only use something else if the customer insists upon it, because customer satisfaction is the name of the game.
Let the battle begin!
Not to offend anyone, as this is MY opinion and what I have found to work for me.
About 10 years ago I switched over from using mostly Sherwin Williams products to using Ucoatit products. I found that they reduce my preparation time and work I have to put in, and produce a durable finish. I really like that there's no down time from prepartion to application, and you put on the primer on a wet floor! Saves a lot of time and aggrevation. They offer a number of different finishes from mild to wild, and the cost ranges greatly from abot 50 cents to a couple of dollars per square foot, depending on what you want. Since I have used them often and signed up for their contractor program I get a discount on purchases and have access to a wider variety of materials. Is it bullet proof and wear an S on it's chest, no. But is sure beats the heck out of a lot of other materials I can buy at hardware and HI stores. I like it. Not everybody will or should, but it's what I've found to be the best value for me. And I get very few callbacks once it's applied so I like that! I would typically only use something else if the customer insists upon it, because customer satisfaction is the name of the game.
Let the battle begin!
regguy1
Well-known member
I used Supercoat, it's been down about 6 months and I'm satisfied with it at this point. It was a low priced product, with 4 kits and misc. supplies I've got $400.00 in the 780 SF floor. This was the first time I'd used an epoxy product.
A few before and after photos below.
Thread and more info here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66867
Video Tour of Garage here:
A few before and after photos below.
Thread and more info here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66867
Video Tour of Garage here:
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GarageEnvy
Well-known member
I'm not a pro, but I do feel that Epoxy-Coat gives a lot of bang for the buck. For 100% solids and cycloaliphatic and excellent tech support for those of us muddling through it completely paranoid it's a good choice. Some of the items in the kit (the gloves and squeegee) are cheesy but the basic product could be put down with a light flake for around 35 cents per sf. That wouldn't include a top coat though and it would be mean buying it from Lowe's (if you were close to one that carried it). With concrete grinder rental and doing 15 pounds of extra flake (on 1800 sf) and a polyurea top coat I was still just over $1 per sf. It's been down about 2 months and I've painted, welded and used the grinder and dropped things on it. Are there scratches? Yes, but I expected some of that.
Hammerdown
Well-known member
I appreciate that. These type of posts usually only elicit praise for the manfacturer who posts it, so I don't really like to rock the boat. I'm glad you want actual answers intead of just praise (which your post indicated), it's nice to see.
I thought this would get a big discussion/argument going, but it appears the flooring posters are all busy or in a great mood.
And with a name like Rugerlady, I had to preface my post, I didn't want to be looking down the business end of a 357 or something
56nash
Well-known member
I have got to say I am a little partial to Rock Solid Floors right now, this is only because I was one of the lucky 10. Haven't got the product yet so obviously no experience with it yet, but unless it is a total flop, which I am sure it will not be, I am tickled. Dang that was one heck of a run-on sentence, don't tell the grammar police.
thegarageguy
Well-known member
I didn't know Ucoatit sold commercial product or to the trade for that matter. Do they sell you the same DIY formulas or a different system?
Also, what type of work do you do? Is it mainly garages? Where can we see some of your work? Thanks
Hammerdown
Well-known member
WARNING...WARNING...Thread Hi-jack in progress......
I don't want this to sound like a plug for me, the company I work for or the products I use, but I'll answer as thoroughly as I can.
Ucoatit told me that the same products they sell in their DIY kit are the same products they use commercially, no variation in formulas. Thats what kinda sold me. They do offer more types of products to contractors or repeat users than they do with the average home owner, and the system is based on what type of use the coating will see. The basic is two coats of a low build, with a high gloss urethane option. This seems to be the standard and is comparable to other products, although in my personal experience I think it works better and lasts longer. I get a contractor discount through them, and since they're local, I can get product easier and bend their ear when needed. I also can get high build (100% solids), and aggregate or trowel down systems as well for more custom work.
I'm a partner (junior) in a small home home improvement business. We do do more residential than commercial, but over the years or so have expanded more into this area. I mainly do residential garages and basements for customers our company has worked with before, although I have done and continue to do commercial areas as they come along. I guess the biggest I've personally Installed was about 6K s/f for a print/sign shop on there mfg. floor. High build, high gloss. When there is a floor that needs installing I usually get the call. At first this was done because I drew the short straw, and nobody really wanted to work with the chemicals in epoxy application, but now I enjoy it more.
I live and work in metro Detroit area. We've never printed advertising and all work has been referalls- no bull! I will canvass a neighborhood we're working in, but that's about it. Word of mouth is the best advertising! I may seem like a dinosaur but don't have a portfolio or anything really, I usually just use the mfg. marketing materials. I KNOW I need to start taking pictures of every job in detail for such a thing, but we just finally came to agreement that we should put up a website! I'm trying to get out of the stoneage and into the 21st century. Since it's winter I'm working it out and this year when business rev's back up I plan on detailing our jobs a lot more in photos to show.
I'm also not as comfortable showcasing my work in detail- not because I have anything to hide or its quality, I just don't like tooting my own horn or seeking praise, I try to remain humble. (That and silly me really doesn't have all that documented well!
My buddy gave me some photos of the job we did at his motorcycle clubs polebarn a few years ago, so maybe I'll post a picture or thread of that install. I scanned the pictures so they're not great, but may help.Thanks
P.S. Garageguy, I think you do excellent work and could learn a few things from you, plus you have that New Jersey no bull attitude!
thegarageguy
Well-known member
Hey Thanks Hammerdown.....didn't mean to hi jack the thread, I'm just a curious person. Believe me, I've been doing this for over 9 years and I'm still learning.
BTW, you might as well toot your own horn, no one else will. And the ones who want to toot your horn want to charge you an arm and leg to do it. My first couple years I was like you, now I am my own worst critique and my best sponsor. If I depend on anyone else, I'd starve.
Looking forward to seeing some of your work in the future.
BTW, you might as well toot your own horn, no one else will. And the ones who want to toot your horn want to charge you an arm and leg to do it. My first couple years I was like you, now I am my own worst critique and my best sponsor. If I depend on anyone else, I'd starve.
Looking forward to seeing some of your work in the future.
Hammerdown
Well-known member
No, I meant that my long-winded post was about to hi-jack the thread!
You're probably right.
TOOT! TOOT! My floors seem to be more "meat & potatos" compared to some of the ones you post here. 
Thanks, I appreciate your imput.
thegarageguy
Well-known member
I do them all dude........when you are hungry, you don't discriminate
Sorry to take this off topic......CARRY ON!
