Options for floor with heavy equipment?

[Augus7us]

Hey Gang,

I was out in my new shop ripping out some of the PO's ideas of shelves and enhancement when I was envisioning what my shop would look like when I am finished and i can actually use it. And it dawned on me I'd like to make it nice like a lot of you have shared on here.

I was thinking about the floor. The PO left oil and paint stains and whatnot all over and I really like the look of floors that were epoxied, even plain old grey. But what is the durability like? When I see it, it's usually someone that mainly parks cars on theirs.

I have a 3k pound fork lift and some 1k-2k stationary tools. I don't plain on moving them often but I do expect some use of the lift and movement of tools throughout the year, maybe once a month. How will this effect the epoxy? Does anyone have any experience using it in a similar environment?

Thanks

-Clint

 

[Marksextra]

In my area, we can tear out and re-pour concrete for the price of an epoxy coating.

 

[bad_idea]

I did the Rustoleum 2 part epoxy kit from Home Depot on the floor of my garage at my last house. After 8 years of hard use, it showed it's age. Transmission fluid stained and degraded the epoxy. Weld spatter burned it.

But return on investment, I wouldn't change a thing. Cost $200 or so and provided a great work surface for 8 years. If I still owned the house, I would scuff it up and throw down another coat for another 8-10 years.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Industrial epoxies (like ours and others here) are right at home with fork-truck traffic.
Prep it right and you should have no issues other than tire marking (fork-lift tires like to mark everything).

Your home-center material(most) is more acrylic than epoxy, not a good mix for heavy weight.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Hey Gang,

I was out in my new shop ripping out some of the PO's ideas of shelves and enhancement when I was envisioning what my shop would look like when I am finished and i can actually use it. And it dawned on me I'd like to make it nice like a lot of you have shared on here.

I was thinking about the floor. The PO left oil and paint stains and whatnot all over and I really like the look of floors that were epoxied, even plain old grey. But what is the durability like? When I see it, it's usually someone that mainly parks cars on theirs.

I have a 3k pound fork lift and some 1k-2k stationary tools. I don't plain on moving them often but I do expect some use of the lift and movement of tools throughout the year, maybe once a month. How will this effect the epoxy? Does anyone have any experience using it in a similar environment?

Thanks

-Clint

A good industrial epoxy as legacy pointed out. Ours... his... Armorpoxy... etc

4 coat Rust Bullet system (all gray no flake)

Either system needs the appropriate anti-wear in the final coat

 

[Augus7us]

Thanks for the replies fella's.

I've looked at both sites above and I have to admit I'm a bit confused as to what I should be looking at. Both products seem to describe themselves differently also and there appear to be many different options.

I'm curious to know which product would meet my needs at a minimum. I'm remodeling both the new house and the shop so I'm trying to decide if this is something I can work into the budget. I don't want to go overkill or get scared off by the price of something if I'm looking at the wrong product or what I'm thinking I need is actually overkill for my situation.

Thanks again, I appreciate any insight you guys can provide.

-Clint

 

[Garage Flooring]

Thanks for the replies fella's.

I was thinking about the floor. The PO left oil and paint stains and whatnot all over and I really like the look of floors that were epoxied, even plain old grey. But what is the durability like? When I see it, it's usually someone that mainly parks cars on theirs.

-Clint

One thing you will find with Scotty and I (I think I can speak for him here) neither one of us is into minimums. Minimums tend to be the most expensive resolution in the long run.

Rust Bullet is an incredibly durable option. Lower prep requirements and relatively inexpensive. 4 Coats, a little prep and our anti wear and you are going to have a bullet proof floor. BUT its not going to be the pretty flake look. Its going to be metallic gray. https://www.garageflooringllc.com/rust-bullet-concrete/ . You CAN get that look, but this option is going to be stronger for your forklift etc.

We also offer a true industrial epoxy. Again, no flake. I would use a primer. It has a texture and hides a lot. https://www.garageflooringllc.com/industrial-orange-peel-textured-epoxy-flooring/

The BEST option for tough and pretty would be a 100% solids full broadcast system. https://www.garageflooringllc.com/high-performance-garage-floor-coating/ but that gets expensive.

Now going completely the other route, If you just want to protect the floor from stains, 8510 is a good option too. https://www.garageflooringllc.com/siloxa-tek-8505-concrete-sealer/


None of these products are specific to us. Scotty has very similar products that he sells. We may also want to consider Polyurea. Tends to be my go to product. In this specific case though I think these other options may serve you better.

 

[Augus7us]

Thanks again for the replies Justin and Scotty. That points me in the right direction.

Just to clarify, I'm not considering the cheapest system out there but the cheapest that is designed to stand up to heavy use like moving a tool with a forklift. That said I don't need something that will work in a production shop because the reality is I'll probably use my forklift only a few times a year. But I'm guessing with the box store stuff the first time I have a big tool loaded up and make a turn I'm going to peel it up the first time.

One last question for the pros, as far as prep work do I need to grind the floor and do an acid etch? Or will just one due? Sorry I'm out of my element here!

-Clint

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Grinding is preferred. Acid can work but offers less consistent results.

 

[Armorpoxy]

We would recommend our ArmorUltra Job on a Pallet. Super heavy duty, easy to apply. Most definitely can handle your traffic.

https://armorpoxy.com/job-pallet-complete-coating-kits/

 

[James-W]

. . . . do I need to grind the floor and do an acid etch? Or will just one due?

You can do one or the other, not both, but as been pointed out, grinding is the preferred way to do it. You can rent the equipment from a number of places, not sure what you have for stores in your location, but Home Depot, Ace Hardware, places like that usually rent the equipment. It takes awhile and can be quite dusty, but once you get it all finished and the floor covering is dry, you will be happy you took the time and effort to do it right.