Muscle Gloss v Epoxy Coat v Others

[j_tudeski]

There are a lot of 100% solids kits popping up recently. Any positive/negative feedback on any one brand in particular?

Regarding durability, what is the difference between a high gloss epoxy coat with flakes and one that has a high-gloss seal over the flakes?

Also, are oil based floor coats easier to reapply once the wear starts showing?

Any thoughts on prepping a two-year old garage floor? There are the usual paint and oil stains, but I am more concerned about the possibility that the builder may have applied a sealer. How can I tell? Which is better in this case, resurfacing with a machine of just acid?

What about vertical surface application?

Thanks in advance from the rookie. This is my first garage/sanctuary so I have to get it right.

 

[Jabberwalk]

As far as sealer, place a few drops of muriatic acid on the floor. Ir is fizzes and bubbles, you have no sealer. Make sure you neutralize the floor with ammonia when done. Personally- I like grinding. I know a lot of people who acid etch and have no problems, but I won't do it. One main reason is that grinding the floor will flatten it and will make that coating look that much better. The second is if there spots of sealer or any contamination- the grinder will remove it. As far as vertical prep- what kind of wall is it? Typically I see a lot of cinder block walls- we don' t do much since there is no traffic on it as opposed to a floor- just coat and chip. Be careful with cinder block, as it will soak up coatings quickly, so we coat and chip immediately after. With the price of coatings, you might be better off to paint the stem walls a matching/contrasting color.

Good Luck!

 

[MrCrewcab]

Just a question about prepping, The rental store here in town rents a scarefire or something like that. Has anyone had any experience with one of these things? is it really what i want to use to prep my garage floor for epoxy? maybe too rough, the floor is in great shape but is sealed.

 

[mhoffm911]

Just a question about prepping, The rental store here in town rents a scarefire or something like that. Has anyone had any experience with one of these things? is it really what i want to use to prep my garage floor for epoxy? maybe too rough, the floor is in great shape but is sealed.

You WILL have to remove the sealer in order for the epoxy to bond to the concrete. This is done using a variety of methods, a scarifier (grinder), grinding stones, acid etching, etc. You want the pores of the concrete to open up so that you can have a tight bond. As mentioned before, you can put some water on the floor to see if it soaks in or sits on top. If it sits on top, you need to remove the sealer.

LOTS of posts on these forums giving good instruction on how to do this...