Epoxy Recommendations

[Spindy]

I have a brand new four car garage about 5 weeks old. The cement floor is brand new and needs no cleaning. I want to have someone I know in the business put down an epoxy or equivalent that will hold up over time. I know he uses Sherwin Williams products. I would like a gray floor with a great shine and would rather pay now for something that will last over time. Any recommendations and/or great experiences with any products? I’m covering about 1,000 sf.

 

[Spindy]

Well, hopefully my guy is doing this right. Because its new cement and cured, he says no etching is required. I had also seen good comments about Sherwin Williams Armorseal 1000 HS, but I’m told its $350 a gallon, so not sure what to go with. I think he said something like Armorflex?.? I just want a high shine solid gray floor that will stand up over time.

 

[CapriMikeC]

I think some prep is going to be required. Even with "new" concrete, people have been walking on it tracking who knows what across. Gum, dead bugs, food, etc. It's invisible until the epoxy fails to adhere.

If you're having a contractor apply it, make sure you have everything in writing. Verbal assurances will be useless if there are issues.

The Home Depot Rustoleum kit I used 19 years ago on a brand new garage required a citric acid etch before application. It has held up well although there is fading where it gets more sun exposure. It was cheap at that time and goes on thin.

For my detached garage completed 2 years ago, I read all I could on GJ and chose Legacy Industrial metallic.

 

[Andy Smith Jr.]

Well, hopefully my guy is doing this right. Because its new cement and cured, he says no etching is required. I had also seen good comments about Sherwin Williams Armorseal 1000 HS, but I’m told its $350 a gallon, so not sure what to go with. I think he said something like Armorflex?.? I just want a high shine solid gray floor that will stand up over time.

$350 a gallon is extremely expensive. I would check with some of the companies that post in this forum such as Legacy Industrial, Armorpoxy, Garage Flooring, etc. They sell specialized DIY kits.

 

[Shea]

Well, hopefully my guy is doing this right. Because its new cement and cured, he says no etching is required. I had also seen good comments about Sherwin Williams Armorseal 1000 HS, but I’m told its $350 a gallon, so not sure what to go with. I think he said something like Armorflex?.? I just want a high shine solid gray floor that will stand up over time.

I'm sorry to say, but if your coating guy is stating that the concrete does not need prep because it is new, then that is a red flag warning that this person is ignorant about concrete coatings. It's only asking for problems. I'm saying this in a nice way and not trying to come off as disrespectful or flippant

Is he a paint contractor by any chance and not an actual concrete coating contractor? We get more people that come to our website asking how to fix a problem with a coating that was installed by a handyman or paint contractor. They all assume that coatings are applied to concrete similar to paint on a wall. I've posted an article below that explains why concrete prep is necessary.

Why you Need to Etch New Concrete Before an Epoxy Coating

Learn why it is important to clean and etch a concrete garage floor before applying an epoxy coating. Plus, learn about coatings that do no not require etching.

allgaragefloors.com

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Colored Epoxies works well make sure you prep and read the instructions. May need epoxy water vapor barrier as well. I believe most projects do not go well because they use cheap quality products, not enough prep work, and don't follow instructions (rushing to complete the project/bad labor). So far so good after 3 years DIYer.

 

[lolaetype]

I used the Rustoleum 2 part epoxy on a 4 car garage and a detached 15X30 workshop/workshop. it's only been down for about 4 weeks, but I'm happy so far.

 

[RivennHewn]

Painters aren’t flooring guys, flooring guys aren’t painters.

 

[benwah]

Well, hopefully my guy is doing this right. Because its new cement and cured, he says no etching is required.

Hi, sorry to say but that is 100% incorrect. It doesn't matter how "clean" the concrete is. The top cream layer always needs to be removed by mechanical abrasion to expose the aggregate. Without this step, your epoxy system will fail down the road. Preparation is the #1 key to a successful floor. Without that, you're just throwing your money away!

Also, just spoke to my SW rep and she quoted me $160 per 2-gallon kit of Armorseal 1000HS.