Clean epoxy before VCT?

[CobraJake]

I have SEVERAL hours (6-8) into ripping up the epoxy on my garage floor. Reason being it was cracking and peeling anyways so I decided it had to go. Some came up easy with just a scraper but the rest is proving to be difficult even with a stripper.

1) can anyone recommend an awesome deep penetrating stripper for epoxy?

2) should I just bite the bullet and rent some kind of floor grinder?

3) can I put the vct over the epoxy that is stuck to the floor?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Grinder.

 

[CobraJake]

Grinder.

ok....there a various types....I don't have a clue

 

[kwfloors]

Can you use a 4" scraper with replaceable blades to get the rest of it up? It kind of looks like you could.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

If you only have a little bit left, use an angle grinder with a diamond cup wheel.
If it's more than I can see, a diamond grinder would be great.

Home Depot rents a Clarke machine with a Diamabrush head, but you would need the "mastic removal tool". If they don't have that particular head, pass on it.

 

[CobraJake]

Can you use a 4" scraper with replaceable blades to get the rest of it up? It kind of looks like you could.

the 4" has been the best scraper.....it broke on me and got another last night.

 

[CobraJake]

If you only have a little bit left, use an angle grinder with a diamond cup wheel.
If it's more than I can see, a diamond grinder would be great.

Home Depot rents a Clarke machine with a Diamabrush head, but you would need the "mastic removal tool". If they don't have that particular head, pass on it.

thanks....garage is about 750 sq ft.....maybe 50-60% done....

 

[JimVonBaden]

You can't put the VCT directly over the rough epoxy, especially over the edges. It will show and look bad. Probably wouldn't stick well either.

 

[CobraJake]

You can't put the VCT directly over the rough epoxy, especially over the edges. It will show and look bad. Probably wouldn't stick well either.

that was my concern...guess Ill be scraping for the next year...ugh

 

[CobraJake]

If you only have a little bit left, use an angle grinder with a diamond cup wheel.
If it's more than I can see, a diamond grinder would be great.

Home Depot rents a Clarke machine with a Diamabrush head, but you would need the "mastic removal tool". If they don't have that particular head, pass on it.

all I see is this?

http://www6.homedepot.com/tool-truck-rental/Grinder_10_Diamond_Electric/50200-HD/

 

[CobraJake]

If you only have a little bit left, use an angle grinder with a diamond cup wheel.
If it's more than I can see, a diamond grinder would be great.

Home Depot rents a Clarke machine with a Diamabrush head, but you would need the "mastic removal tool". If they don't have that particular head, pass on it.

ok I found the Diamabrush.....they have the removal tool. If I rent and use this will the floor finish be acceptable to lay the tile down? The guys at HD weren't sure. They also told me several times "hope you don't break any blades bc they are $100 a pop".


I looked at a commercial rental place also. He recommended the floor sander that has the 3-4 sanding blocks on the bottom of it that you can change out......I'm at a loss what to do!