Epoxy questions - new floor

[Wuaname]

I have been doing a lot of reading through the archive and have come up with some questions of my own . It will be primarily for my motorcycles, no car will be in there. I will need to the floor to withstand the basic garage issues; oil, gas, grease, etc. I don’t know if I am going to sprinkle chips on it. It is a one car garage; about 240 sq ft. Should a one garage kit be fine?

Color looks like it will be white or some other gray or light color (no tan). I want it easy to spot a bolt / nut that might fall on occasion to the floor, but I don’t want it looking like some factory floor. I see some issues with the cleaning of white epoxy floors, wonder if maybe I will have fewer issues since it’s just the motorcycle, & no salt/ snow to deal with. How will pigmented urethane help with this?

When it comes to brands Legacy I’ve read on here that it is good, but does it use primer? I want primer on my garage. Epoxy-Coat doesn’t use primer and no urethane topcoat I believe, correct? So what alternative, if I can’t use either one of these? Rustoleum I haven’t read much good on, so that option is out and so are any box store brands.

These seem to be the general steps I have seen on here, which I am going to follow. Welcome to any corrections or comments.
1. Etch concrete (acid wash) – allow the concrete to sufficiently dry out.
2. Epoxy coat (primer coat)
3. Basecoat epoxy and color chips – allow to cure overnight
4. Urethane clear coat (topcoat) –

• I want to have minimal issues with the floor being slippery. Anything different I should do for this?
• How many times to should I do the acid wash?
• Can someone break down the cleaning further? Wash the garage with water and soap? Before / after the acid wash or just after? Remember, new garage. What it will have I am sure, is a lot of dust from the construction.
• How long should I wait in between coats?

 

[benwah]

Personally, I'd go with a reputable brand rather than a bog box store brand.

 

[Wuaname]

I agree. I dont plan on a box store brand

 

[jaye944]

check my links.

and DO NOT GO BIG BOX BRAND

 

[jaye944]

I'm doing exactly what your planning, although, I'm not using chips, and the urethane coat is not clear but tinted the same color as my base coat. I'm using Armorcoat

 

[A_Pmech]

*shrugs*

I used the Rustoleum stuff and it's worked very well for me.

 

[Master Applications]

Agree with that

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

We have a primer.

 

[Falcon67]

I used something from Lowes on the first shop floor and it's still good 15 years later. However, your chances of success are much greater with a known quality product. Good prep is the thing. I used some cheap-o not 100% epoxy on the new shop because of budget reasons and thanks to careful prep on bare cured concrete it's holding up really well. And I don't treat it nice - weld on it, park leaking things on it, drag 80 lb benches around, floor jacks, jack stands, etc.

Of your 1-2-3-4, I only used 1 and 3 on both shops. I don't care for a top coat and got no time for a primer. Not that you should not - but for my stuff the epoxy bites into the floor well enough by its self. I'm sure a primer would be even better.

As for slippery - watch your spills. I use stuff like this in most work areas.
http://www.rubberflooringinc.com/interlocking-tile/foam/58-diamond-soft-tile.html

On the acid wash, I mixed muratic 1:4 gallons water. I mopped it, then rinsed and dried, then used lights/the sun to look for any shiny spots. The plan was to have a dull finish all across the floor to be sure there was grip everywhere. Not a heavy etch, jsut enough to take off the shine. I actually mopped it three times - once with a non-acid floor etch (waste of time) then twice with the acid. 4:1 neutralizes pretty quick on a floor. Fizz doesn't last very long at all. And keep it moving.

 

[Wuaname]

We have a primer.

Is the primer included in your kit?

 

[Wuaname]

I'm doing exactly what your planning, although, I'm not using chips, and the urethane coat is not clear but tinted the same color as my base coat. I'm using Armorcoat

I looked at your links but damnn that looks expensive lol

 

[DocHolliday]

I just want to follow this thread. I've been a member here for a long time, but don't post much. But, I also have the same questions. I am in the finishing stages of 24' x 16' workshop, and trying to decide on floor coating. In my case it will only be a workshop. The plan is to move all of my fabrication equipment (welder, table saw, miter saw, grinder, etc) out of the garage to have room for automotive projects there.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Is the primer included in your kit?

It is an option. We recommend it over raw concrete.
We recommend it to use with other brands as well.