Am I ready for polyurethane? What else do I need to know?

[CrashJupiter]

I'm doing a complete garage rehab, going from my wife's grandmother's filthy 40-years-of-neglect hoarders nest to a bright and comfortable workshop space. I won't be doing anything that would be too strenuous on the floor, as I don't weld or anything, so very occasional very cold weather parking of the car will be the worst thing for the floor.

After mulling my options, deciding to install concrete countertops, and scrubbing the concrete to within an inch of permanent shoulder damage, I've decided that I'd like to put down a high gloss clear coating for the floor, since the 66-year-old concrete has a lot of character, despite being lickably clean.

I used concrete cleaner/degreaser and a deck scrubber to make sure I got everything off that would come off. I bought a can of 305 VOC Oil-Based gloss clear polyurethane with the intent of using that. However, I am not 100% sure that I am ready to lay it down. I'm not even sure I have exactly the right tools for the job or that it's the right material to use.

Any advice is welcome. I am on a budget and a time frame, but I have a bit of wiggle room. And just in case, the garage is unheated, except for an oil-filled space heater that can keep it at around 55-60.

 

[CrashJupiter]

A small test last evening showed me that the 305 VOC Oil-Based gloss clear polyurethane is not going to get the results I want. It gets really bad bubbles from the roller, plus it's distinctly yellow. I knew that it gave a "honey hue" to wood, but I am stubborn and decided "clear" meant clear.

Any suggestions for application and product would be greatly appreciated, keeping in mind that it needs to be something I can get locally, since I'm on a timeline and would really, really like to have the floor in service by Friday. I have the electrician coming this weekend.

 

[12ozd]

keeping in mind that it needs to be something I can get locally

Do you have a Sherwin Williams local?

 

[CrashJupiter]

Do you have a Sherwin Williams local?

Yes, I do.

 

[12ozd]

They have a good line of floor coatings.
That's probably your best bet if you're looking for something local and fast.
They would have a better product than the local big box store.

 

[CrashJupiter]

They have a good line of floor coatings.
That's probably your best bet if you're looking for something local and fast.
They would have a better product than the local big box store.

Thanks! I'll take a look. And I guess I'll ask the people in-store how best to apply, etc. Thanks!

 

[12ozd]

let us know what you decide to go with, and don't forget the pics.