DYI Garage Floor Epoxy Coating Attempt

[pdids]

Hi there,

Looking for advice on attempting a DYI epoxy job on my garage floor. Here is what I have:
1-Slab is 10 years old with several long hair-line cracks.
2-Light to medium broom swept finish
3-No apparent moisture problems

I desperately want to get started on this project but I have so many questions I can't answer and I'm scared to death of screwing it up.

My questions:
1-What product should I use to seal between the floor slab and the foundation wall that epoxy will bond to?

2-Should I use epoxy resin to repair the cracks in the concrete (For example, Sika Sikadur Crack Fix)? Should I chase with a grinder first? Fill with silica sand?

3-Should I first grind the floor with a Diamabush? Will this sufficiently reduce the broom swept finish? If not, can I epoxy over a broom swept finish and get a good result?

4-Was thinking of useing Epoxymaster because I can get it through Costco. The reviews seen pretty good.

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Pdids:
1: Dap makes a great concrete caulk for this.
2: Better to use a gel filler
3: Yes, Diamabrush is great
4: ???

 

[Garage Flooring]

Hi there,

Looking for advice on attempting a DYI epoxy job on my garage floor. Here is what I have:
1-Slab is 10 years old with several long hair-line cracks.
2-Light to medium broom swept finish
3-No apparent moisture problems

I desperately want to get started on this project but I have so many questions I can't answer and I'm scared to death of screwing it up.

My questions:
1-What product should I use to seal between the floor slab and the foundation wall that epoxy will bond to?

2-Should I use epoxy resin to repair the cracks in the concrete (For example, Sika Sikadur Crack Fix)? Should I chase with a grinder first? Fill with silica sand?

3-Should I first grind the floor with a Diamabush? Will this sufficiently reduce the broom swept finish? If not, can I epoxy over a broom swept finish and get a good result?

4-Was thinking of useing Epoxymaster because I can get it through Costco. The reviews seen pretty good.

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

1. Depends on the results you want. For quick aesthetics only some DAP products may do the trick. If you want to construct a seamless membrane that rolls from the floor to the wall and is attractive and functional there are specific products for creating a cove.

2. Hairline cracks, coat them during the install. Cracks, fill them with a gel based crack filler. Large divots, holes, etc, combination of epoxy and sand. Expansion joints or saw cuts, fill if desired, but do so with a gel based expansion joint product.

3. Yes you should grind the floor. I have seen mixed results over broom finish. Take your time.

4. Make sure you use a quality 93-100% solids epoxy, a good primer and high end a good chemical resistant top coat -- varies based on location.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Hi
A Diamabrush wont do much to fix a broom finish, it's more designed to scratch up the surface for adhesion. If you are looking to 'smooth out' the floor you need a heavy, professional grinder.


For small hairline cracks and such we carry a Crack Repair Epoxy Putty that works great and can be grinded smooth if you goof a bit, sort of like epoxy spackle. To fix cracks you need something with 'body' as no liquid alone will fix cracks or do a lot of surface repairs.