Any love for Swisstrax?

[9eight7]

After flipping through several pages, I've seen many posts with recommendations and even vendors selling RaceDeck. Is there a substantial difference between the two? Why did you choose one over the other?

If anyone is interested in changing their garage flooring, here's another solution that might help you make your decision.

Why did I go with plastic tiles instead of epoxy or porcelain?

I live in an area where labor is expensive so I wanted a solution to use my time to lower costs and to get away from everyone else .

Epoxy: The home installed epoxy is fading and I've read that any future touch up will end in a complete replacement which will add up in the long run. Going with a pro install, because I'm no pro, would also mean that I'd have to clear the garage for a number of days and I don't feel like doing that.

Porcelain: This is my favorite look however I think it looks best in larger spaces which is a luxury that I do not have. Dealerships and museums have it down when they use porcelain . Same install issues with epoxy so this was not an option for me either.

Ordering/Samples

I called Swisstrax directly one day and had a good conversation with one of the associates. Their answer to my list of questions satisfied my needs so I ended up ordering sample tiles which would be refunded if I made an order in the future. At this point I was debating between Pearl Silver/Grey and Smooth/Regular.

(Please let me know if you don't see an image below this)

Samples arrived, so I enlisted the family to test it out. We liked the middle one which is Pearl Silver in the Regular texture (Ribtrax Pro) so I pulled the trigger.

Install

Super easy! Empty the garage floor, leaf blow everything out, then drop and snap. It took me about an hour to drop and snap all the tiles in place that didn't require cutting. For cutting the edges, get the right tool and save time. I used a Dremmel for ALL of it and do not recommend using one for everything.

Before

After

This post feels a bit wordy so I'll post what it's like to clean up in the next one.

 

[9eight7]

Cleaning up a huge oil spill (2-3L)

I'm just a lazy idiot who stores his full oil pan vertically instead of emptying it at the store right away. Why does this matter? Well I accidentally knocked the cap loose while squeezing it between my workbench and wall which leaked 2+ liters of oil from the back of the garage to the front.

It took me 3 hours to remove 4 rows of track, soak up all the oil, remove soaked up oil, mop/dry the garage, power wash/soap/scrub the tiles, and then put them back. The tiles are not too slippery when wet on an incline (more traction than a wet storm grate) and were easy to snap back in place.

The end of an oil trail

One row removed. I was too angry at myself to take more pictures but these are some that my wife took for me as I cleaned up the mess.

Half gone, half soaking baking soda

It really looks like turds

Luckily the epoxy creates a barrier to keep the oil out of the concrete and is easily cleaned.

Pressure wash + soap/scrub

A few more positives that I learned.

• I can easily slide my workbench with tools across the tiles (pushing fixed casters perpendicular)
• Tiles clean up easily
• Liquid flows under the tiles easily
• We need more baking soda for baking (and cleaning)
• I recommend a cheap epoxy underneath the tiles for a time like this
• It feels very clean every time I go into the garage

 

[nc.detail]

I've had my swisstrax now for a year. I chose it over RD due to the larger size and thickness. RD does offer a larger and thicker tile now though.

I went with tiles since the epoxy yellowed after a couple years.

I'm not in love w/ the tiles but they look the part. Mostly the cleaning is a chore and the noise they make when walking on. I'll be doing a clear poly in the new house, if we ever start that build.

 

[RaceDeck1]

Your garage looks nice!

As you saw is your search here on GJ, we have been around a long time not only on Gj, as a business... we invented the modular garage flooring industry you see today.. same family-owned business the entire time.

For those interested to learn more - Please this link for common questions about what makes RaceDeck what it is
https://racedeck.com/faqs/

 

[sps4runner]

odd, I don't see the pictures.

 

[Racy2]

I don't see any pictures either?

 

[CJDave]

I chose RD mainly because of their reputation and I didn't like the idea of working with epoxies, densifiers, and any number of other chemicals. Long lingering odors and slow drying issues are not a problem with RD. Looking at the number of threads here regarding problems with these chemical coatings compared to problems with RD tiles, I am glad I went the direction that I did. CJDave.

 

[9eight7]

I've had my swisstrax now for a year. I chose it over RD due to the larger size and thickness. RD does offer a larger and thicker tile now though.

I went with tiles since the epoxy yellowed after a couple years.

I'm not in love w/ the tiles but they look the part. Mostly the cleaning is a chore and the noise they make when walking on. I'll be doing a clear poly in the new house, if we ever start that build.

I like your website! Isn't cleaning just as simple as vacuum and then mopping?

Your garage looks nice!

As you saw is your search here on GJ, we have been around a long time not only on Gj, as a business... we invented the modular garage flooring industry you see today.. same family-owned business the entire time.

For those interested to learn more - Please this link for common questions about what makes RaceDeck what it is
https://racedeck.com/faqs/

Thanks! I didn't realize RD was the first on the market. I would have looked into it but my friends already gave me recommendations.

odd, I don't see the pictures.

I don't see any pictures either?

I just attached photos, hopefully these work.

... I didn't like the idea of working with epoxies, densifiers, and any number of other chemicals. Long lingering odors and slow drying issues are not a problem with RD. Looking at the number of threads here regarding problems with these chemical coatings compared to problems with RD tiles, I am glad I went the direction that I did. CJDave.

I agree 100% which is why I went this direction as well.

 

[red94chev]

Looks great, I like that it is all one color. The multiple colors with borders and rectangles can be kind of tacky sometimes. Are you a fan of Obsessed Garage?

 

[9eight7]

Looks great, I like that it is all one color. The multiple colors with borders and rectangles can be kind of tacky sometimes. Are you a fan of Obsessed Garage?

Multiple colors can be a bit distracting so I went the boring route .

Haha, yes I like Obsessed Garage. He did a great review on pressure washers and generally has a good eye for quality.

 

[red94chev]

Multiple colors can be a bit distracting so I went the boring route .

Haha, yes I like Obsessed Garage. He did a great review on pressure washers and generally has a good eye for quality.

I hear ya, I also have the Kranzle pressure washer package and I love it.

 

[insidethehoax]

That guy is so full of himself and acts like a total feminine product. If people would actually do their own due diligence instead of believing everything they hear online then they would be able to see through the bs.

 

[DevinJ]

That guy is so full of himself and acts like a total feminine product. If people would actually do their own due diligence instead of believing everything they hear online then they would be able to see through the bs.

Someone is jealous. He provides a service and people seem to use it, I don't see the problem.

 

[allinon72]

Happy Swisstrax customer here, talked to them several times over the phone and they were super accommodating even in the height of the pandemic. They even offered to ship me tiles from their showroom floor when there weren't enough in stock to complete my order. Nothing bad to say about Racedeck either.

That guy is so full of himself and acts like a total feminine product. If people would actually do their own due diligence instead of believing everything they hear online then they would be able to see through the bs.

You seem to have made it your life's work to bash a guy and his business online....why not find your own hobby, something that will actually bring you fulfillment instead of anger.

 

[marsh1]

I has Swisstrax in my last house and was very happy with them for the many years I lived there. Moved into new house and went with Racedeck XLC right when they came out. I looked at samples of the Swisstrax with the flat top and did not like the look. The XLC keeps the open look but the flater top of the rib is more comfortable to work on. I like the larger size. I have epoxy underneath and was getting some slipping so they sent me anti slip underlayment at no change and problem solved. Great service.

 

[9eight7]

Marsh1 that’s an awesome looking garage! What’s the red car hiding in the back.

I’ll be lifting up my SUV some time to change the brakes. I’ll see if the tiles get dented or scratch under my quickjack.

 

[RaceDeck1]

I has Swisstrax in my last house and was very happy with them for the many years I lived there. Moved into new house and went with Racedeck XLC right when they came out. I looked at samples of the Swisstrax with the flat top and did not like the look. The XLC keeps the open look but the flater top of the rib is more comfortable to work on. I like the larger size.......]

Your garage looks great with the FreeFlow XLC. Thanks for sharing and choosing RaceDeck!

 

[marsh1]

Marsh1 that’s an awesome looking garage! What’s the red car hiding in the back.

I’ll be lifting up my SUV some time to change the brakes. I’ll see if the tiles get dented or scratch under my quickjack.

911 Turbo S

The tiles are pretty forgiving and don't really show dings or dents.