Did anyone else feel this way?

You all have done excellent flooring jobs. Seemed like the epoxy coating was the way for me. So I started reading, researching, asking questions. The more reading. Tried deciding on one of the many used here. Less expensive, more expensive, top coat, anti-slip...etc. Etching, grinding, how to do the edges, how to do the block foundation....etc.

I'm now at the point where I can do the floor, and am totally confused, almost dreading all the decisions.

I thought getting to this point would be a good thing, but I'm almost ready to just leave it bare

How did you make your final decision?

Yea I felt the same way. Fortunately there are a ton of people on here that have done it, including myself and everyone is willing to help with questions.

I asked a ton.... Didn't matter to me because until I got the answer I kept asking, lol.

Biggest thing that I took away is prep work PRIOR to laying the epoxy on... The better the prep work the better the end result and easier the floor should go on. I was actually surprized at how nice and easy it was to apply the epoxy on the floor. I spent the better half of a couple weeks prepping the floor prior to putting the epoxy on.


I did the following:

1. Degrease floor
2. Power wash
3. Acid etch
4. power wash
5. acid etch
6. power wash
7. acid etch
8. power wash
9. power wash
10. acid etch (last one thank god)
11. power wash
12. Let floor dry for about a week with fans blowing in the garage at 24/7
13. 20 mins before putting epoxy down, took shop vac to pick up any debris
14. Took air compressor and blew out floor for any dust.
15. Put primer epoxy down (waited 10 hrs)
16. Put base boat epoxy down (waited about 45 mins, then broadcasted flakes) Let cure for 10hrs.
17. First coat of urethane with antislip (waited about 15 hrs due to me working)
18. Last and final coat of urethane with antislip

Waited 4 days before walking on the floor.
On the 6th day started hanging cabinets and shelves again.
Probably on the 12-15th day I will pull my car and put the heavy objects on the floor.

Last step which I think is the greatest...
Enjoy my beautiful floor.

But yea don't sweat the little stuff, check my thread somewhere on here and I have some pointers and things that as a first time experice person gave my honest opinions and things to look out for..

-Nigel

I agree. As helpful as this forum is, if you search old posts there is A LOT of conflicting information that can be confusing.

Bottom line I think you will be happy if you epoxy your floor. Do a respectable prep, whichever way you end up going (etch/grind).

What key pieces are you still unsure of at this point?

there is no best way. just choose one and move forward. don't second guess yourself. in the end it will be better than how you started.

Ah Nigel, nice reply. I see you used 2 part paint? Also thought of that type also. I will search out your posts.

BRIZZAd, Yes I believe I was going the epoxy coat route. My garage floor is new concrete, poured 7/14, so I guess I'm OK to get started.

***Etch/grind - At first etch seemed the way for me, but then didnt want to mess with chemicals so thought Id grind instead. Found a rental locally, 100 bux / day, not sure if it will go on my hitch basket though. Then the issue of grinding manually where the machine could not reach.

***Which product to go with. I'd need a full kit and a half kit (about 550 sq ft.) Saw the Rustoleum in HD, price looked good, then thought why is it so cheap, maybe I have to spend like 3x as much for better quality. Good thign about buying locally, no shipping to worry about.

These 2 make up basically the whole job I guess

atpalmer said:

there is no best way. just choose one and move forward. don't second guess yourself. in the end it will be better than how you started.

Click to expand...

Thanks for encouragement... I am the King of 2nd guessing !

reminds me of fishing, almost everyone has a way that works and does not work. Find what works for you.

....or just settle on what can work and go with it.

I was almost to the point to forget about doing an epoxy job because I did not have or I can not justify spending $500,$600,$700, etc., on a coating for my garage. (Plus if the wife found out, she would kick my ****, since we are in a need of a new kitchen floor)

I just came to conclusions that I can find a coating system that is more practical for me.

Which one, LOL, still don't know???

atpalmer said:

there is no best way. just choose one and move forward. don't second guess yourself. in the end it will be better than how you started.

Click to expand...

The most important part is PREP, PREP, PREP!!
I have seen good and bad jobs done, and most of the bad ones are a result of imperfect prep work, and rushing. Definitely do not park on it for several days to give the stain/epoxy plenty of time to cure. I have seen lots of garages where the owner pulled their car in 1-2 days after finishing and the heat from the car tires pulled the finish of the floor. They are always quick to blame the product until I point out all the directions. Most of the time they were poorly followed.
Good luck!!!

knagy,

one way to help with the decision is to try an WIN your new floor!!
Check out the 'New Epoxy Coat' contest on now and you could find yourself saving some money.. and that could make the decision so much easier.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1718081#post1718081

Hope you don't mind, but I'm going to use your thread to try and win it myself

BTW, great product.. but the people dealing with it are even better.