Epoxy Floor Questions

[BarnBuiltBeaters]

I am starting the prep work on the floor of my garage. I filled in the hairline cracks and am now beginning to grind the entire 750sqft with a 4in grinder... going to take a while but trying to save money and would rather spend my time. It goes decently quick but will for sure take hours to complete. Also to note, I live pretty rural and the home improvement stores near me do not carry grinders or rental tools for that matter.

I am currently grinding, then onto a degrease, primer, base/flake, and clear.

1. How long do I wait between primer and base, then base and clear?

2. I leave for vacation soon and was hoping to have primer down before I leave. Is this fine to sit for 10 days or do I want to apply base shortly after applying primer for better bonding?

3. Have any of you used GarageFlooringLLC before? I plan on using their High Solids (93%) Epoxy for a blend between better durability and cost compared to the DIY kits from Lowes and Home Depot or a professional epoxy. All in about $1100 (Primer, Base, Flake, Clear Top Coat)

Any other tips and tricks would be helpful. Cant wait to see the final result!

 

[RPH]

Might get better responses if moved to the floor section. Vendors here are extremely helpful.
Maybe the mods can move it over.

 

[Imatk]

GarageFlooringLLC is awesome I have their floor.

As far as when to put different layers down, it will vary depending on the product I'm sure, but you're not going to want to prime it and leave it... I would just about guarantee that each system will have you putting down the next layer within the hour (or less depending on the temperature)

Search online for "Heavy Equipment" rental "sunbelt" rentals is a pretty big company and they will deliver to you as well if you can't go pick up the grinder.

Doing a whole garage with a hand grinder... umm no thanks! You're probably going to wind up with low spots doing it that way since it's such a small grinder.

But up to you I guess?

Once you grind you'll have to clean up all the concrete powder. Best to rent something with a shop vac attachment without question.

 

[dcg9381]

I believe there are options to "wet grind" floors.. Having done it, I hope you're in good shape..
As cost seems to be a factor here, consider looking into polyurea - it's less expensive than epoxy, single stage, and you can get it in solid colors. The durability is excellent - I've used it to finish residential concrete (inside) as well as garage/shop floors. I've been buying from Legacy Industrial, a supporting vendor.

 

[Augus7us]

I really think you will screw your floor up with a 4" grinder. I used the walk behind and the 4" and 7" hand grinders. The 4" would just dig divits in the concrete and the 7", I would have died of a heart attack just using that.

Not trying to rain on your parade, just some honest feedback.

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

I filled in the hairline cracks and am now beginning to grind the entire 750sqft with a 4in grinder...

I also think it's too much floor for 4" angle grinder.
Just curious, what abrasive? Diamabrush for wood decks?

 

[BarnBuiltBeaters]

Might get better responses if moved to the floor section. Vendors here are extremely helpful.
Maybe the mods can move it over.

I didn't even think to look for floor section! that would have been smart. We will see what I get here and if im not satisfied i'll create a new one. thanks!

GarageFlooringLLC is awesome I have their floor.

As far as when to put different layers down, it will vary depending on the product I'm sure, but you're not going to want to prime it and leave it... I would just about guarantee that each system will have you putting down the next layer within the hour (or less depending on the temperature)

Search online for "Heavy Equipment" rental "sunbelt" rentals is a pretty big company and they will deliver to you as well if you can't go pick up the grinder.

Doing a whole garage with a hand grinder... umm no thanks! You're probably going to wind up with low spots doing it that way since it's such a small grinder.

But up to you I guess?

Once you grind you'll have to clean up all the concrete powder. Best to rent something with a shop vac attachment without question.

I reached out and they told me when to apply. For their products most of the wait time between stages is 7-10 hours and NEVER longer than 24. makes doing three coats a bit of a challenge. I guess I will be up late and then up early the next day!

I believe there are options to "wet grind" floors.. Having done it, I hope you're in good shape..
As cost seems to be a factor here, consider looking into polyurea - it's less expensive than epoxy, single stage, and you can get it in solid colors. The durability is excellent - I've used it to finish residential concrete (inside) as well as garage/shop floors. I've been buying from Legacy Industrial, a supporting vendor.

I tried to wet grind and it just ended up throwing water against my walls. I tried it for a bit but didn't notice much of a difference in dust. I think you would continuously have to "flood" the area to see the benefits.
I looked into Polyurea, this seemed to be a bit more expensive? Maybe it was just the sites I was looking at?

I really think you will screw your floor up with a 4" grinder. I used the walk behind and the 4" and 7" hand grinders. The 4" would just dig divits in the concrete and the 7", I would have died of a heart attack just using that.

Not trying to rain on your parade, just some honest feedback.

I know what you mean by divits. If the grinder gets away from you then it can dig in a little. Take a little longer in that area and you can "polish" it out, obviously creating a bit of a low spot. I grind in a circular pattern (like buffing a car) and overlap by 50%. The floor imo looks great where I have done it and I cannot tell of any low/high spots. From my reading and contacting the vendors, the floor should somewhat self level and they even said any hairline cracks the epoxy should fill in. Making me believe that even if my floor isn't perfect, it should turn out just fine...time will tell!
The grinder is pretty easy to control honestly, i think i will be fine but i appreciate your concern

I also think it's too much floor for 4" angle grinder.
Just curious, what abrasive? Diamabrush for wood decks?

it is a lot of floor but not to say it cannot be done. I hit some goop on the floor which took a while to get off but everywhere that is bare concrete (95%) it goes very quickly. I think I can do about 100sqft per hour so about 7.5 hours maybe less. Obviously a long time but I am young and have more time than money lol.
I am using a diamond grinder for concrete. I bought it off amazon for about 8 or 9 dollars and it works fantastic and so far seems like it is holding up great. I couldn't imaging paying for Diamabrush unless you are a contractor.

 

[dcg9381]

Polyurea is less expensive (substantially) than epoxy. See Legacy Industrial.

 

[brownbagg]

buy you some cheap spike golf shoes

 

[BarnBuiltBeaters]

Finally got around to coating my floor and it turned out pretty good!

By no means is this as good as if a professional had done the floors but I am happy with it. During each coat except the last I had a few bugs get stuck in the coating. I removed them best I could but parts of them will forever be stuck in there. Also opening and closing my man door happened to have minor debris fall into the coating. Overall I am very happy with it and would do this again if I ever move.

I would recommend to non-professionals to add flake to hide any flaws as there more than likely will be. I couldn’t decide on a color and knew pure white would look good. Not sure why I didn’t think of tan and green! This picture makes it look much better than it is but its 85-90% what the picture shows.

I also would like to add that Garage Floor Coating is where I bought my product. I had many questions, and they are more than happy to answer them. I even asked about a product to fill cracks prior (not supplied by Garage Floor Coatings) and they were happy to take a look to see if it was compatible. I highly recommend their crack filler. Unfortunately, you have to order a bunch of it and will have TONS left over. I will be filling all my family’s concrete cracks in their homes and will still probably have a TON left over.

 

[BarnBuiltBeaters]

Picture didn't attach

 

[Jsf721]

Looks great and hope you have better longevity and luck than me. I did not use this product, but had it professionally installed and it lasted under 4 years.

 

[FJ4FUN]

Looks good, well done! Solid color floors are risky. Unless you're coating a clean-room, airborne debris and bugs are going find their way into your coating.... it's just a part of life. The good news is that, for the most part, you'll be the only one who notices or cares. Because you've had your nose literally within a foot of your floor for the last week you'll be able to spot a fly's wing stuck in your coating from 200yds and it will drive you crazy until you get everything moved back in and settled.

BTW, nice lighting!

 

[BarnBuiltBeaters]

Looks great and hope you have better longevity and luck than me. I did not use this product, but had it professionally installed and it lasted under 4 years.

Thank you! Hopefully mine holds up a bit better. I would have been angry if I were you!

Looks good, well done! Solid color floors are risky. Unless you're coating a clean-room, airborne debris and bugs are going find their way into your coating.... it's just a part of life. The good news is that, for the most part, you'll be the only one who notices or cares. Because you've had your nose literally within a foot of your floor for the last week you'll be able to spot a fly's wing stuck in your coating from 200yds and it will drive you crazy until you get everything moved back in and settled.

BTW, nice lighting!

Thank you! I thought bugs wouldnt have been as big of an issue and if I had known I would have done some things different. Once I am working out there I doubt I will even notice. But for now, a small spot sticks out!
Lots of lights but everyone who walks in likes them and loves how even the lighting is. I would say the floor made it ALOT brighter, might need sunglasses now haha

 

[Allan00]

That's one nice looking garage!

 

[haugy]

Finally got around to coating my floor and it turned out pretty good!

By no means is this as good as if a professional had done the floors but I am happy with it. During each coat except the last I had a few bugs get stuck in the coating. I removed them best I could but parts of them will forever be stuck in there. Also opening and closing my man door happened to have minor debris fall into the coating. Overall I am very happy with it and would do this again if I ever move.

I would recommend to non-professionals to add flake to hide any flaws as there more than likely will be. I couldn’t decide on a color and knew pure white would look good. Not sure why I didn’t think of tan and green! This picture makes it look much better than it is but its 85-90% what the picture shows.

I also would like to add that Garage Floor Coating is where I bought my product. I had many questions, and they are more than happy to answer them. I even asked about a product to fill cracks prior (not supplied by Garage Floor Coatings) and they were happy to take a look to see if it was compatible. I highly recommend their crack filler. Unfortunately, you have to order a bunch of it and will have TONS left over. I will be filling all my family’s concrete cracks in their homes and will still probably have a TON left over.

Man, that looks great, I'm about to pull the trigger on a white floor, but with minimal flake so the bug guts will blend in LOL.
Great job.

 

[b-boy]

I did RustBullet. I have a complete set of mouse feet in mine. I felt bad for the little guy. He tried to run across the floor and got stuck.

 

[BarnBuiltBeaters]

So for anyone who stumbles on this later, I do not recommend a white floor. Yes it looks FANTASTIC but, it gets dirty VERY easily. I obviously knew this but thought it would be easier to keep clean than it actually is. If you are adamant about a white floor I suggest adding flake to blend in some of the dirt. Just walking through the yard and into my shop you can see footprints in the floor of whatever dirt/light mud was on my shoes.
Overall I am happy with my choice and it'll make me keep my shop cleaner but sort of wish I went with a different color. Since this is a garage I work in, I am sweeping and mopping everyday!

 

[Armorpoxy]

We always try to steer people away from white. White is great for art galleries and aircraft hangars which get very little use compared to a garage. For lighter floors we recommend normally our Light Gray or even our Medium Gray which is on the lighter side and is often mistaken for Light Gray.

You would be surprised as to how light even Medium Gray can make a garage look compared to bare concrete. Also as noted above use of flecks greatly helps to hide dirt and marks since it breaks up the floor visually.

 

[BarnBuiltBeaters]

We always try to steer people away from white. White is great for art galleries and aircraft hangars which get very little use compared to a garage. For lighter floors we recommend normally our Light Gray or even our Medium Gray which is on the lighter side and is often mistaken for Light Gray.

You would be surprised as to how light even Medium Gray can make a garage look compared to bare concrete. Also as noted above use of flecks greatly helps to hide dirt and marks since it breaks up the floor visually.

Yes I would steer away from white next time. I love it, but the next time I will choose a different color. The nice thing about white is it makes me keep the shop clean. Bad thing about white, even when the floors are cleaned, it still can look dirty!
No fault of the supplier. I told them white and they recommended the product that would suit me best in the color I wanted. so far floor is great and even dirty, I still get compliments!