Epoxy on the cheap: Please Help

[apache67]

Howdy Guys,

I recently relocated from Houston to Atlanta. I am leasing my house here in Atlanta.

Even though I am leasing, I would still like to have a decent garage space to tinker in for my man projects, etc. However, I don’t want to spend a fortune on somebody else’s house (the owner). Can someone recommend an epoxy floor plan on the cheap when it comes to the hardware and the process? Preferably, something more than just the HD or Lowe's epoxy one typically sees in these stores.

Thanks Much!!!

GG

 

[Garage Flooring]

I am not a fan of cheap epoxy, you can get Quikrete or Rust-Oleum at your local Home Depot or Lowes. For very little more you can go with a good product like Legacy or Epoxy Coat.

I also wonder if you've considered the work that has to go into an epoxy. Perhaps you should consider one of the many garage flooring products that you can take with you when you leave.

 

[dcs Inc]

Can't help ya. Why not just clean it up and apply an acrylic sealer? Cheap....er I don't use that word... much less expensive than an epoxy system. You'll get a good floor system that's easy to clean, fairly resistant to chemicals and has a decent abrassion resistance. Now I'm talking about our products, CSS emulsion. A 53% solids acrylic laced with MMA. Nothing even comes close to it. Depending on your location, you can find a distributor near you. It would be expensive to ship because it is a solvent based product. Good luck with what ever system you choose.

 

[apache67]

Can't help ya. Why not just clean it up and apply an acrylic sealer? Cheap....er I don't use that word... much less expensive than an epoxy system. You'll get a good floor system that's easy to clean, fairly resistant to chemicals and has a decent abrassion resistance. Now I'm talking about our products, CSS emulsion. A 53% solids acrylic laced with MMA. Nothing even comes close to it. Depending on your location, you can find a distributor near you. It would be expensive to ship because it is a solvent based product. Good luck with what ever system you choose.

Can you provide me with some specifics? Prep work, typical costs, etc?

Thanks Much!

 

[bdamico]

Don't waste money improving someone else's property

 

[regguy1]

See the epoxy floor thread link on this page: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140674

780 SF $400.00 investment. 2 1/2 years in and still looks great

 

[Steves32]

I own lots of property & if a tenant epoxy'd my garage floor with some cheap **** w/o my permission, there would be hell to pay.
Last thing I want to do is grind off a floor after tenant moved out.
You need to run your plan by the owner 1st.

 

[Elite Crete Australia]

I own lots of property & if a tenant epoxy'd my garage floor with some cheap **** w/o my permission, there would be hell to pay.
Last thing I want to do is grind off a floor after tenant moved out.
You need to run your plan by the owner 1st.

This. Don't go and mess up someone else's property with some off the shelf big box store garbage epoxy. Chances are you're going to screw up on your first install anyway and if you are using some cheap junk "epoxy paint" the likelihood of you screwing up will be magnified.

 

[apache67]

I own lots of property & if a tenant epoxy'd my garage floor with some cheap **** w/o my permission, there would be hell to pay.
Last thing I want to do is grind off a floor after tenant moved out.
You need to run your plan by the owner 1st.

Couple of people here, yourself included, should temper their assumptions. I don't want nor need your assumption(s) outside the scope of the OP question.

Capice?

 

[apache67]

See the epoxy floor thread link on this page: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140674

780 SF $400.00 investment. 2 1/2 years in and still looks great

Thanks for taking the time to provide useful information with regards to my questions.

G

 

[bdamico]

Couple of people here, yourself included, should temper their assumptions. I don't want nor need your assumption(s) outside the scope of the OP question.

Capice?

hahahaha.

 

[Shea]

Actually Gene's suggestion about an acrylic sealer isn't a bad idea. It is inexpensive and easier to prep for than epoxy. Here is an article on the benefits of an acrylic sealer if you are interested. It might fill the bill for a rental property.

 

[Primered Thunder]

Couple of people here, yourself included, should temper their assumptions. I don't want nor need your assumption(s) outside the scope of the OP question.

Capice?

With that sort of attitude I'd safely assume that you're now on your own.

Good luck.

 

[hardhat]

Just use flat latex wall paint. Should turn out very nice.

 

[ddawg16]

Couple of people here, yourself included, should temper their assumptions. I don't want nor need your assumption(s) outside the scope of the OP question.

Capice?

It is frowned upon for a newbie to cop an attitude like that.....

Akin to a new guy at a job walking in and telling everyone else how to act......

As already mentioned....your pretty much on your own now....

 

[AlphaGarage]

I'll just point out that one of our clients was the handy man for an apartment management company and he called to find out how to go about fixing/replacing a tenant installed floor gone bad, lifting and peeling. He ended up grinding and refinishing the floor, from what I could tell the re-do was at least partially funded by the tenant's security deposit.

 

[Elite Crete Australia]

Just use flat latex wall paint. Should turn out very nice.

Mop the floor with water and take the advice above.

 

[KPSquared]

Just use whatever spraypaint you can find at Wal-Mart. . .

I think I might add your response to my "how to commit internet suicide" book. . .you nailed it. . .

"Capice" Hahahahahaha. That was the best part. :screwy:

 

[apache67]

It is frowned upon for a newbie to cop an attitude like that.....

Akin to a new guy at a job walking in and telling everyone else how to act......

As already mentioned....your pretty much on your own now....

Whatever

 

[apache67]

Actually Gene's suggestion about an acrylic sealer isn't a bad idea. It is inexpensive and easier to prep for than epoxy. Here is an article on the benefits of an acrylic sealer if you are interested. It might fill the bill for a rental property.

Thanks Shea

 

[AmericanGarageFloor]

+1 for acrylic sealer or for Parking Pads that you can take with you. I would also be very grateful to a tenant that finished my garage floor.

We just went through a terrible experience with a tenant. We have had some good ones as well. I say good for you if you are willing to make an improvement that their next tenant will enjoy --and might even help them rent the house quicker.

I think we also need to correct a few folks. You talked about epoxy on the cheap not cheap garage floor epoxy

 

[Falcon67]

Check the Kelly-Moore dealer for KM-15. Epoxy, cheap. Still requires proper prep, but I did 960 sq/ft for under $300.

 

[apache67]

+1 for acrylic sealer or for Parking Pads that you can take with you. I would also be very grateful to a tenant that finished my garage floor.

We just went through a terrible experience with a tenant. We have had some good ones as well. I say good for you if you are willing to make an improvement that their next tenant will enjoy --and might even help them rent the house quicker.

I think we also need to correct a few folks. You talked about epoxy on the cheap not cheap garage floor epoxy

Thanks. I appreciate the benefit of the doubt. I am a renter, and I am renting out the home that I just left. I posted to gather some information about improving my garage space that I am going to be in for the next three years. Not get a lecture, from someone who knows nothing about the arrangements I have made with my land-lord.

Anyways, the densifier-sealer option is looking like a good route to go. I appreciate all the helpful insights!

Cheers,

G

 

[apache67]

Check the Kelly-Moore dealer for KM-15. Epoxy, cheap. Still requires proper prep, but I did 960 sq/ft for under $300.

Thanks!

 

[Jimmy Knight]

As a former short & long term renter, why improve someone elses property??? does it really matter what the floor looks like when you will be moving in a year?

 

[robn69]

Check the Kelly-Moore dealer for KM-15. Epoxy, cheap. Still requires proper prep, but I did 960 sq/ft for under $300.

How many years has yours been down? Do much cutting and welding?

 

[Cobra6]

This might work for you
http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/standard-epoxy-coatingprimer-p-103.html

a couple of coats of this looks pretty good - for $163. +10% off if you are a GJ Alliance member.

 

[Falcon67]

How many years has yours been down? Do much cutting and welding?

Laid Jan 2012. I do some, not a lot. I treat it pretty badly - dragging heavy lumber over it, 3000 lb car on HF rollers - yes, leaves marks. Holding up fine so far and it's not anywhere near the recommended film thickness. I used 3 kits, thinned 10%, and stretched it so much the last 4 sq/ft almost didn't get any. Should have bought 4 kits. Went down easy and so far looks like it's stuck good. Lots of rough spots on the floor, no problem coving those areas.

FWIW - the old shop used a no-name epoxy from Lowes. I stretched that too, covering 480 sq/ft kinda thin. After 12 years of use, it still looked good - just dirty. Lots of warm slicks parked on this floor.

 

[brownbagg]

the guy that own the rental house is right, you do any improvement to the basic house without approvable, you automaticly loose your deposit and he can back charge you to return to normal. it doesnt have anything to do with improvement. he in business to make money and now he has a loophole to get more out of you

 

[apache67]

the guy that own the rental house is right, you do any improvement to the basic house without approvable, you automaticly loose your deposit and he can back charge you to return to normal. it doesnt have anything to do with improvement. he in business to make money and now he has a loophole to get more out of you

My plan was just to "surprise" the owner (and acquaintance) with the newly painted latex floor (see the helpful joe's stuff above). I was also contemplating painting the exterior hardy plank a lime green finish as well. You really think the owner will hold my deposit back?

Also, it's "lose" and not loose.

 

[pauloman]

Use a moisture cured urethane, like "aluthane' - gallon (under $100) covers about 400 sf on non porous surfaces. MCU coatings are used in places where good prep cannot be done. Aluthane is considered a metallic paint, filled with aluminum and has a light gray color on most surfaces.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Moisture Cured Urethane should receive a primer coat of epoxy unless the substrate is absolutely perfectly prepared.

You will find out how they make saran-wrap if you don't do it right.

 

[dandan111]

I had good luck with rustoleum pro. Many people have used it and like it on here.

 

[robn69]

I had good luck with rustoleum pro. Many people have used it and like it on here.

How hard are you on your floor? What you use your garage for?

 

[dandan111]

I'm not to hard on my floor. No welding. I do have a snow blade for my garden tractor that has been dragged across it. Also the kids yamaha snowmobile has been in and out of the garage a few times. As far a what I use my garage for it just homeowner stuff,woodwork,bike fixing,snowmobile and whatever else I may be into. I coated the floor in the early spring and it made it through a hot Indiana summer with no problems yet.