DIY epoxy on a professionally prep'd floor?

[hal1]

Been reading up for a while, and researching here about epoxy and Racedeck (decisions, decisions). I know the importance of a properly prepared floor but would rather save my time and spend my money having someone else do it. If I have someone professionally diamond grind the floor, should it be relatively simple for me to finish the epoxy job myself. I figure I'd spend a little and save a little. - or is most of the cost of a pro job in the prep/grinding so I might as well let them finish it if I I let them start it.

Also, this is something I want on my outdoor patio that has a bad stain job and a paint job already on it. After the grinding, is there a different outdoor epoxy product I should be using? I'm thinking of this route as I get hard water stains from my sprinkler system and I though it may be easier to keep clean.

Money is a concern and I was hoping to get my 340 sf garage done for under $1200 and my 516 sf patio for under $1500. I thought that an open outdoor patio would be an easier proposition. Is my budget unrealistic?

 

[packpride85]

The prep is where most of the time/labor comes in. It's also the most important part and could ruin your epoxy install if its not a quality job from the contractor.

If you're going to have them do the entire job make sure they are using quality epoxy and not just going to home depot and getting the cheapest stuff.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

No epoxy outdoors. Acrylic deck coating or acrylic sealer. Has to be breathable.


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[accelerus]

I'm going through my DIY experience, just finished the edges and lip of garage with my 4.5" hand grinder, probably renting the big daddy tomorrow to do the rest of the main garage space.

Speaking just for the garage - I'd budget a little over 500 dollars for materials if you want the quality route, I'm using legacy industrial primers and their urethane clear, i have epoxy coat lined up as the main coating. Tool rental figure another 50 or 100 for a day (big diamond grinder). The labor part is dusty/dirty/sweaty, but it's not hard.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Been reading up for a while, and researching here about epoxy and Racedeck (decisions, decisions). I know the importance of a properly prepared floor but would rather save my time and spend my money having someone else do it. If I have someone professionally diamond grind the floor, should it be relatively simple for me to finish the epoxy job myself. I figure I'd spend a little and save a little. - or is most of the cost of a pro job in the prep/grinding so I might as well let them finish it if I I let them start it.

Also, this is something I want on my outdoor patio that has a bad stain job and a paint job already on it. After the grinding, is there a different outdoor epoxy product I should be using? I'm thinking of this route as I get hard water stains from my sprinkler system and I though it may be easier to keep clean.

Money is a concern and I was hoping to get my 340 sf garage done for under $1200 and my 516 sf patio for under $1500. I thought that an open outdoor patio would be an easier proposition. Is my budget unrealistic?

IMHO I would either DIY or pay someone, but don't split up the work. See if your local HD has a Diamabrush.

As an alternative, you could look at something like Rust Bullet which does not require grinding at all.

For the patio there are some great options out there. We are getting ready to cover ours with a deck tile http://www.garageflooringllc.com/patio-deck-tile/ OR.... We are thinking of using Rust Bullet clear with anti skid.

 

[accelerus]

some advice if you go the dimabrush route --- rented mine today and it worked.... but maybe the blades were worn, or what, because it wasn't near as efficient at cutting, I'd have to hover around the same little 2 square foot area for several minutes to get it 80% "clean"

I'm not sure what the blades SHOULD have looked like, the job is done but it was a pretty painful 5 hours and my arms are shot from running that thing all day.

I wasn't stripping paint or old epoxy or anything there were some paint spots... and the diamabrush even took a minute or two to chew through little paint drops. If you rent, make you you know what a fresh blade looks like so you don't waste hours like i did.

 

[hal1]

For the patio there are some great options out there. We are getting ready to cover ours with a deck tile http://www.garageflooringllc.com/patio-deck-tile/ OR.... We are thinking of using Rust Bullet clear with anti skid.

You've already been kind enough to send me a couple samples of the coin tile. You think it'll be okay to send me 2 full size samples of the outdoor deck also?

 

[Garage Flooring]

You've already been kind enough to send me a couple samples of the coin tile. You think it'll be okay to send me 2 full size samples of the outdoor deck also?

I would be delighted to. Just email me the full name and address.