Dimabrush Q - Prep Tool or Removal Tool?

[navin]

hey all -- been a long time lurker on here, and I am finally wrapping up a long-term car project, so I'm looking into refinishing the garage.

Basically (4 years ago) I laid down some epoxy (not a big box brand) -- and I blame myself 100% on the application and condition of the floor now. The floor has seen its fair share of abuse -- motor swaps, brake fluid, etc. But now I want to redo the floor (thinking Wolverine at the moment) and wanted to see what fellow members would do in this situation..

After reading this article: http://allgaragefloors.com/how-to-grind-garage-floor/

I'm wondering whether I should opt for the prep tool or the removal tool offered by Dimabrush.

Also to be noted is that I spilled some POR15 primer and random POR15 on the garage floor so which ever that tool would be best for removing that for future epoxy should be considered.

Now onto the horror..err current pictures of the floor:

Floor's current condition:

Weird impressions in the epoxy (I think this is because I was running low when rolling it out, but I'm open to suggestions of what this is):

Primer/Por15 spill area:

Also had a question about the control joints -- there is epoxy inside the joints. I wanted to use IntegraFlex to fill in the joints, just curious if I'll run into any problems since there is epoxy in the joints and not bare concrete:

Looking forward to hearing your guys opinions!

 

[navin]

Bueller?

 

[Okolowicz]

Ideally, you would want to use both Diamabrush tools. Start with the Coating Removal tool and once the coatings are gone switch to the Concrete Prep tool. However, in my opinion you could safely get away with just using the Coating Removal tool.

Time how long it takes to fully remove the coatings and then continue going over the surface for an equal amount of time (or more) and it should be adequately prepped.

I used both tools when I did my floor and while the prep floor will prep your floor faster the coating removal tool worked well too. It just took longer. But, you can save the $65 rental fee for a separate tool.

 

[Edger]

Those weird marks are I believe silicone contamination. Perhaps you spilled some silicone on the floor there before coating.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Prep tool should do it.
The fish-eyes are from some sort of contaminate, maybe silicone as Edger mentioned.

That joint needs to be filled with a gel crack filler. Anything weak will compress, cracking your coating.

 

[navin]

Thanks for the replies guys -- guess I'll just go with the prep tool and see how it does.

As far as the contamination area -- kind of weird, I don't remember spilling anything there but then again it was done almost 4 years ago. I'm assuming the prep tool will take care of that area as well?

 

[Shea]

As far as the contamination area -- kind of weird, I don't remember spilling anything there but then again it was done almost 4 years ago. I'm assuming the prep tool will take care of that area as well?

It will remove the coating yes, but you will want to check the concrete once the coating is removed to make sure it's not something that had soaked into the cement such as tire dressing or something like that.

 

[navin]

Hey Shea -- how would I go about checking the concrete for contaminants after I grind the concrete?

 

[Edger]

The fish eye area is most likely from tire dressing and I never had success in getting it out so it will probably happen again even after grinding. What is very interesting is that it has not peeled in that area. Weird stuff that silicone.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Animal fats and silicone, bad juju.

 

[navin]

Weird -- must have been the previous owner, strictly a no tire shine kind of guy! Now you guys have me a bit worried, and making me rethinking the epoxy decision.

I was mulling over epoxy vs. VCT before.