Confused on Garage epoxy

[nullrout]

Here is my situation.

About 15 years ago I used a U-Coat-It kit in my current 2 car garage. Overall, I've been happy with it other than discoloration where the tires sit on my classic car. The other side of the garage never discolored where my daily driver goes in/out. I also used a light coat of the color flakes. I had a lot leftover from the kit and was happy with the look. This is all just background.

I'm building a new house with a oversized two car attached (24 x 24) garage and a 30 x 42 detached garage/shop. The attached garage will house two daily drivers. The detached garage is going to host a two post lift in the future. It will house a couple of classic cars and will be the workshop area.

While I like the look of the color flakes, I wouldn't do them again anywhere were I was going to work on a car again. My opinion is the color flakes make it really hard to find hardware when you drop it and it rolls away. I've literally had to lay on my stomach in the driveway and shine a flashlight to find small screws etc.

So having said all that, I think I'm leaning towards using color flakes in the attached garage for "prettiness" and omitting them in the detached shop.

Is a high solids epoxy a good choice for my application?

It seems like when I did the floor 15 years ago you had two choices: over pay for u-coat-it or use the big box rustoleam coating that seemed like it always failed. Maybe they failed from lack of prep. I don't know. I used muriatic acid and acid etched the then new slab for the u-coat-it and seemed to adhere well. It also seems like with so many new players in the game and so many choices it makes choosing the "right" product difficult for the home gamer.

Suggestions?

 

[Armorpoxy]

For a coating system there are basically two popular choices, 100% solids epoxy system like our www.armorcladepoxy.com, our the newer technology SPGX one part polyurea hybrid.

SPGX. Is a great choice for single color new concrete, but is not as thick as the three layer high build Armorclad.

Tens of thousands of satisfied customers of each, including many on the GJ.

Please email us at below for addl info or pricing. Thank you.

 

[nullrout]

How do the two products compare as far as price, durability, and installation? I guess I'm asking is one drastically more expensive, easier, or more durable.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

High solids hide less sins but is more economical and easier to install.

100% solids gives the floor an unmistakable “still pond” look and offers nearly 2x the thickness.

Either works well in a home garage, the choice is yours.

http://www.legacyindustrial.net/pro...ts/legacy-hd-garage-system-kit-600-sq-ft.html

http://www.legacyindustrial.net/products/garage-floor-coating-kits/sd-epoxy-garage-kit.html


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Armorpoxy]

SPGX is great for clear or a single color or for one- day installs. Usually no prep other than power washing us needed, but it us not as thick as 100% solids Armorclad. A single coat is about half the cost of three layer Armorclad.

Armorclad is great for fleck type jobs where time is not as critical and you want a thicker coating which hides better any issues with the floor.

 

[nullrout]

Okay, what about surface prep. I've used muratic acid before the u-coat-it kit and had good results but I've also read that grinding is better.

What prep would you recommend for "new" concrete slabs?

 

[FJ4FUN]

I've found that using a light distribution of a single color flake along with our SpheriTex traction additive works well when concerned with locating small dropped parts....

 

[Garage Flooring]

Here is my situation.

About 15 years ago I used a U-Coat-It kit in my current 2 car garage. Overall, I've been happy with it other than discoloration where the tires sit on my classic car. The other side of the garage never discolored where my daily driver goes in/out. I also used a light coat of the color flakes. I had a lot leftover from the kit and was happy with the look. This is all just background.

I'm building a new house with a oversized two car attached (24 x 24) garage and a 30 x 42 detached garage/shop. The attached garage will house two daily drivers. The detached garage is going to host a two post lift in the future. It will house a couple of classic cars and will be the workshop area.

While I like the look of the color flakes, I wouldn't do them again anywhere were I was going to work on a car again. My opinion is the color flakes make it really hard to find hardware when you drop it and it rolls away. I've literally had to lay on my stomach in the driveway and shine a flashlight to find small screws etc.

So having said all that, I think I'm leaning towards using color flakes in the attached garage for "prettiness" and omitting them in the detached shop.

Is a high solids epoxy a good choice for my application?

It seems like when I did the floor 15 years ago you had two choices: over pay for u-coat-it or use the big box rustoleam coating that seemed like it always failed. Maybe they failed from lack of prep. I don't know. I used muriatic acid and acid etched the then new slab for the u-coat-it and seemed to adhere well. It also seems like with so many new players in the game and so many choices it makes choosing the "right" product difficult for the home gamer.

Suggestions?

I am always hesitant to chime in when so much great advice from so many great vendors has already been offered. First and foremost let me say, I don't consider these guys my competition. They sell great products. The competition this industry has is some of the 'inexpensive' products being put into the market without knowledgeable people to walk you through it. You can't go wrong with anyone on the forum.

I look at coatings projects on a cost versus return basis and how the project will be used. Pictures of the discoloration would be helpful. Also, this time lets make sure we get good prep and a solid moisture test before installing.

For the workshop area, my assumption is that the primary purpose of this coating is to keep the floor from staining and give you a nice even surface to work on. If it were me I would use a couple coats of our simple odor free epoxy and call it a day. I would use the glass bead in the second coat.

For the attached, residential garage, I am a big fan of the polyurea systems. We offer a great one and I know Legacy does as well. In the alternative, a true high solids product would be just fine. The big thing will be the urethane as well. Our high solids kits come with a very nice, uv stable urethane that is tough as nails. Our 'high solids kit' is over 90% solids and uses the exact same resins as our 100% solids kit. The difference is 10oz of Xylene in the hardener.

100% solids. Its a great product and we have some great kits. A DIY consumer can absolutely be walked through it. There are applications I love it. Older garages with a lot of repair work would be one for sure. I don't think this application needs it.

 

[Armorpoxy]

SPGX can be applied to a standard floor with little if any prep other than a good cleaning. Armorclad we suggest etching (included in the kits) or grinding.

Kindly contact us directly at below for additional technical advice since the GJ is not always monitored by the office. Thank you!