Epoxy prep, floor prep questions!

[Lowernu]

I am in the process of redoing my garage floor. The previous owner had a epoxy paint already on it so this Labor Day weekend spent 8 hours using a diamabrush floor prep tool to remove the paint. It worked great!
Still need to grind a few low spots in the corners and things like that.

I'm planning on putting down Rustoleums professional garage floor coating kit down.

Then on top using epoxy coat that was left over from my brothers garage as a clear top coat!

My questions are...

Do I need to etch the concrete after using the prep tool?

Also the raised foundation is painted how is the best way (if needed) to remove the paint from these areas.?

Thank you in advance

 

[motormitch]

On the questions of acid washing the answer is no. If not properly neutralized it will cause problem under the coating down the road. Both processes serve the same purpose and that is to "roughen" the surface (and clean) so that the new coating can bond well. If you have completely ground off the old coating, I'm sure your floor is ready. Vacuum it, mop it and let it dry completely before you apply the new coating. Also make sure that your rollers are shed proof and I would still run a piece of table over them to be sure. I don't know what to do about the sides. If it is like mine, then it is unfinished and has very large pores.

 

[Lowernu]

This is what the foundation looks like
I'm thinking if I just paint it with the rust oleum pro 2 part and not the clear top coat on the foundation that ill be ok.

 

[Lowernu]

Is there a way I can just cover those that will look decent other then paint like baseboard. Or something?

 

[Lowernu]

Bump! Please any tips or advice would help! Maybe tips on removing paint from expansion joints too!!!

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

The sidewalls are usually painted.
A wire wheel may be able to reach into the gaps without busting the corners.

 

[Lowernu]

Is it that critical that the paint be removed from these areas or just scuff them up and repaint them?

 

[Shea]

Is the coating on the raised part of your foundation (out west we call them stem walls) actually epoxy or is it paint? If it's just paint, I don't think the Rust-Oleum product will adhere very well to it. I would contact Rust-Oleum's customer service about that. You can rough it up as you say and just repaint it to match your floor. The home improvement center where you are buying the Rust-Oleum can even color match the paint for you. You won't be walking or driving on it so durability is not an issue.



If it is epoxy

 

[Lowernu]

There is two layers of color one appears to be a paint and the other seems to be epoxy. Same as the floor.

When I used the prep tool it took a second for the paint on top to come right off then it took a little long for the second coat I'm assuming epoxy.

So my worry is if I paint over the foundation walls that it will peel off or not? It's not going to see any traffic I agree that's why Im leaning more to just going over previous coatings

 

[hardhat]

Scuff it up and paint over it. Unless its flaking off then I wouldnt be worried about taking it down to bare concrete.

 

[Lowernu]

K same with the expansion joints? Just scuff them up and epoxy over?

 

[bigbadktm]

You can use a 4" grinder with a flap disc to get down in there, but you really don't have to go any further in than the bevel. Where you don't have traffic, you don't have to worry too much about excessive prep. You could mix up a slurry and smooth the stem wall or do an epoxy cove. Both labor intensive, but it's a finishing touch