Epoxy over Stick on Linoleum Sheets

[zeddy]

We purchased a home built in the 70s, and the garage floor is covered with what appears to be large linoleum stick on sheets, appears to be 2 sheets for the 2 car garage. Overall condition is pretty good - some stains here and there, and a few small edges where the linoleum has come off but is not lifting.

I'm looking to epoxy the floors, and would like to epoxy OVER the existing linoleum. The linoleum appears to be glued to the floor very well, and I do not want to go through the labor/process of grinding off all the residue.

My searching has turned up this old thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2583235

Only difference is instead of linoleum "tiles", its linoleum sheets. I just want to confirm that the process described in the old thread to "Degrease it, scuff it, solvent wipe, 100% solids flexible primer, 100% solids topcoat." still applies.

If it's okay to put epoxy over linoleum, my next questions:

1. What do I use to "patch" the small areas where the linoleum ripped off? It is not exposed concrete underneath - rather the remnants of the glue

2. Best way to scuff/sand the linoleum? I have a Dual Action polisher, so I can always get some sanding pads, but it might take awhile to do by hand. I've read somewhere not to use a belt sander - any other DIY machines I should look into renting?

Thanks for any advice/help.

 

[kd3pc]

the only way to get a possible decent outcome is to remove the linoleum and then grind the remaining stuck stuff until you get a consistently prepared surface.

The "tile" in the cressi post, is not vinyl/linoleum, and had a self leveling intermediate product applied.

Get to grinding, anything less will just clog and waste perfectly good sandpaper.

The pros will jump in..and perhaps I am wrong about simply priming and applying epoxy to a linoleum/vinyl base....

I wouldn't...

 

[rburke65]

I don't know for sure I'd bet my next pay check the answer is going to be "no".

 

[Viper98912]

My guess would be absolutely not. Epoxy needs to bond to the concrete, there is no way that the epoxy will properly bond to a plastic-based floor

 

[73fxe]

Rent a floor scraper. It has a sharp blade to scrape under the plastic. Then grind off the remaining glue. Do it right.

 

[Dr Stan]

My guess would be absolutely not. Epoxy needs to bond to the concrete, there is no way that the epoxy will properly bond to a plastic-based floor

If it is a true linoleum floor covering it's made using linseed oil, however my money would be on some sort of vinyl/petroleum based product. In either case I doubt if you would achieve good adhesion.

I'm with the other posters, bite the bullet & prepare to either put in a lot of labor stripping the floor or a lot of money to have it stripped.

BTW, ditto on the floor scraper & grinder. In any case please do not resort to some sort of chemical remover as it would be a fire hazard and quite toxic to everyone & anything in the vicinity.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd venture to bet $1 that that if you epoxy over that linoleum, you'll be scraping not only that linoleum off but that epoxy too albeit with a lighter wallet.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Please don't attemp to coat linoleum or VCT. We have seen disasters from reactions of the coatings and the surface.

Our suggestion is to leave it alone, or if you don't like it, remove it and apply a proper epoxy system (floor should be grinded to remove old adhesive, and primer used).

Alternately leave it be and cover over it with garage floor tiles like our www.supratile.com, or other tiles that you may select.

 

[zeddy]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess my hopes for an easy job of applying epoxy over vinyl is not the best move.

I'm afraid that since the house was built in 1972, the linoleum sheet was likely laid down at that time, and there might be asbestos which would require abatement and disposal and a whole bunch more $$$.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Hi,
In our experience the only floor tiles that have asbestos are 9" square tiles, not 12" or sheet goods.

Our Prep-Crete Division removes hundreds of thousands of sq feet of flooring annually, and the 9" tiles are the only ones that ever tested positive.

 

[JR 42]

Hi,
In our experience the only floor tiles that have asbestos are 9" square tiles, not 12" or sheet goods.

Our Prep-Crete Division removes hundreds of thousands of sq feet of flooring annually, and the 9" tiles are the only ones that ever tested positive.

Oh, they exist. I used to work for an architectural salvage shop, and would take photos of the factory packaging of 12x12 VAT before double- bagging and chucking in the dumpster. The one that sticks in my memory was emblazoned "Fortified with Asbestos!" in big red letters... I'm 99% certain the pics evaporated three hard drives ago, but I'll poke around tonight and see if I've got any photos left.

I've since been selling flooring for a small shop, and haven't seen any 12x12 asbestos tile either (though, honestly, I don't think anyone tests 12x12 vinyl tile, because "12x12 doesn't have asbestos in it").

I'm always surprised by negative results for 9x9's and black cutback,

OP, you can have the existing sheet vinyl tested for asbestos, it's cheap peace of mind. Make sure you include adhesive residue with the sheet sample - it's common to have cold sheet with hot adhesive, or vice versa. Around here there are several labs that will do basic asbestos testing for around $50.

It's possible you could abate the existing sheet yourself, depending on your local regulations. It's allowed here, if done on private property by the homeowner, under a certain area (don't recall exactly, think it's around 500 sq. ft.). Disposal regs have gotten more stringent here, though - we can't just double- bag and put it in a dumpster any more.

ETA - there is a lot of old sheet with asbestos in it, and a lot of old sheet adhesive with asbestos in it; definitely test it before you mess with it. In any old house, the safe bet is that damn near everything probably contains either asbestos, or lead, or both, and the only way to be sure is to have the material tested by an accredited lab.

JR

 

[_Stang_]

Assuming no asbestos, then put racedeck directly over top of the vinyl and you're done. Love my RD

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