Epoxy over light (but extensive) spalling - advice?

[vortec]

Hi all - first post here. But been reading for awhile. I finally have my 'dream' garage situation (well, as good as I can do for now) - an attached 2.5 car for the street cars, and a separate (detached) ~2.5 car garage for the 'race shop'! It needs lots of work (no power, etc), and I do want to expand it soon, but we'll get to that later.

Since we're just starting to move in now, there's absolutely nothing in either garage, so it's a perfect time to get the epoxy done in both. I'm considering just having it professionally done, since I want it done ASAP, and done well. But of course cost is a consideration, and this is their busy time too, so not sure I can get it done as quickly as I want. I'm trying to get quotes now.

Anyways - on to my question. The attached garage has significant spalling - not overly deep, but it's practically over the entire garage. I'm assuming it's caused by the Michigan (Detroit area) salt, over the last 27 years since it was built (1985). But it could also just be something wrong with the pour, I've never really seen it this bad in other people's garages.

See pictures below... any advice on how to do it? I've been reading up here, and my first guess is to use the Epoxy Concrete patch from Legacy (with very light aggregate use to keep it on the thinner side?), then go over that with Epoxy-Coat (although I'm sure the Legacy guy will want to sell me their epoxy coating). But thought I'd throw some pics up here to get advice...

(also added a pic of the new outside garage, since I'm so excited about it!)

 

[vortec]

Hmm. Pics didn't add. I'll try again.

 

[Garage Flooring]

There is a post on here from Legacy... I am sure he can point to it. He has a great product for this type of thing. Do Not buy into folks who tell you that the epoxy is self leveling and will fix it. Fix it first.

 

[munkey]

Hard to tell from the pics but it looks like there might be sealer on the non-spalled portions. I'm just basing that on the specular highlights, but if it is true, make sure you grind it off before topcoating...

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Vortec, you nailed it and Christine's epoxy is nifty too!!

 

[vortec]

Yep, looks like a shiny surface, so very likely it was sealed. Surprising that it doesn't look like it helped much? I'm really leaning toward getting it done professionally, just to save me time and effort (but not money, ha!). It's in our budget, and then I don't have to worry. The first quote I got will shot-blast it, which they say is better than grinding (gets into all the areas, rather than just surface).

If I get the garage expansion going (next year?) I will probably epoxy that one myself!

 

[rugerlady]

Thanks Scotty. Vortec, since you are local give us a call or stop by our showroom, we could also quote you on prepping the concrete (we have a large installation division). I'm not sure who would ever tell you that self leveling epoxy will fix that kind of spalling, but it would be an absurd claim.