Am I on the right track for floor prep ?

[gsokell3]

I have a 20x20 ft garage. About 9 years ago, I finished it with what I think was Rust-Oleum one part garage floor paint. I prepped it properly and has help up pretty well. I now want to refinish the floor using the Rust-Oleum 2 part epoxy pro series finish. My plan is to wash the floor. Etch it (not with the etching in the kit), prime it then apply the kit. I also plan to apply a coat of the Rust-Oleum clear sealer. Do I need to prep any differently?
I also have a question about the sealer. The floor finish has flakes included in it. I think the description in the sealer says it also contains flakes. Am I correct? If so, do you use both?

 

[Shea]

Is the old paint completely removed from the floor? If not, etching the floor will not remove it. Acid etch has to come in contact with the free lime in concrete in order to etch the floor properly. If the concrete is covered with a sealer (paint) then it will not work.

If it's not gone you will need either strip the paint via chemical means and then etch or better yet, just grind the floor.

Also, you do not need a primer for the Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield Pro if that is what you are using. It's already a low solids epoxy product and will penetrate like a primer to a properly prepared concrete surface. The clear sealer is applied 12-24 hours after the color coat with no preparation required. Apply the flakes immediately after the color coat and then the clear coat will lock them in once you apply that.

 

[gsokell3]

The paint is worn but mostly still there. When you say it would be best to grind it , what is that process. I invision a floor polishing machine but one with a grinding pad. If so, are they rentable (HOME DEPOT), and is that less messy than stripping it. (I'm guessing it is). Is it like sanding painted wood where youcjust takecthe gloss off and ruff it a bit or ground all the way down.

 

[Garage Flooring]

The paint is worn but mostly still there. When you say it would be best to grind it , what is that process. I invision a floor polishing machine but one with a grinding pad. If so, are they rentable (HOME DEPOT), and is that less messy than stripping it. (I'm guessing it is). Is it like sanding painted wood where youcjust takecthe gloss off and ruff it a bit or ground all the way down.

I have a 20x20 ft garage. About 9 years ago, I finished it with what I think was Rust-Oleum one part garage floor paint. I prepped it properly and has help up pretty well. I now want to refinish the floor using the Rust-Oleum 2 part epoxy pro series finish. My plan is to wash the floor. Etch it (not with the etching in the kit), prime it then apply the kit. I also plan to apply a coat of the Rust-Oleum clear sealer. Do I need to prep any differently?
I also have a question about the sealer. The floor finish has flakes included in it. I think the description in the sealer says it also contains flakes. Am I correct? If so, do you use both?

You need to use the Rust Bullet coatings removal tool, typical available for rent at Home Depot, grind the floor and remove the coating --in one step. I hope the project works out well!

 

[Shea]

I believe Justin meant the Diamabrush coating removal tool, not the Rust Bullet tool. You can learn more about the process here if you are not familiar.

 

[gsokell3]

Ok. Great. I will check my HD for the grinder. Since I will be grinding the floor for prep, am I correct that I do not need to pime the floor afterwards? Just go on to applying the epoxy finish as instructed?

 

[EpoxyCoat2]

As stated above, you will want to use the Diamabrush coating removal tool. It will remove the coating and create a rough profile on the concrete.
As for applying the flake into the sealer coat, I don't think that is correct. Typically, the sealer coat is applied over the top of the basecoat and flake to seal everything in. I would double check to make sure.

 

[gsokell3]

Checked out the Diamabrush at HD and plan to use that. I do have a few chips where concrete nails were removed leaving a chip that needs patching. I plan to use the Rust-Oleum floor patch on those. Should I Diamabrush first, then patch or visa-versa? Also, Diamabrush had two brushes. One is the finish removal brush, the other looks like it just etches an unfinished floor. Since I am removing paint, I assume I use the finish removal brush?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Less blades is the mastic removal tool. Yes use this. Can patch 1st and grind all at once.


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[gsokell3]

A thank you for everyone's advice. Ground the floor. (what a mess). Applied an etching solution, just to make sure and rinsed it multiple times. Epoxy went down easily as did the flakes. Waited two days then applied the clear coat. I am very happy with my results.
I do have one issue. I missed a couple of roller strokes when I applied the clear coat. Can I use a polyurethane on the spot where I missed? I need less than a pint to fix it. Or is there something else I can use?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Yes, scuff that area lightly, wipe it clean and recoat.
I would use a light brush and feather the edges so it blends in better.