Finally, my finished epoxy floor!

[nathank]

I have been waiting a LONG time to post this completion thread. I began reading (dreaming) about an epoxy floor in my shop ever since it was built in the summer of 08.

All the wall colors will change. We just finished installing the ceiling in bright white corrugated, so the walls are the next on the list. I won't ruin the surprise for the wall colors though.

Ok, so here is my journey through floorville starting with unloading **** from the building.

Gathering all my **** up to empty the building

Clearing off the bench wall. The loft was the most valuable thing I had during this whole project. I stuffed it full!

Clearing the floor

Bench cleared, be sure to check out the custom computer shelf!

After the acid etch. You may have seen my post on the white film. I developed quite a hateful relationship with this white film by the time it was all said and done! Huge shoutout to the wife who came out and helped me with this stage of the game! She cleaned that floor like crazy, but she didn't much care for the muratic acid fumes.

Another after the acid etch

The floor finally prepped and ready for some ACTION!

Prepped

Prepped

My best buddy helped me out with the fan to dry the bathroom. Thanks bud!

And there was EPOXY!

Shiny!

Hard to tell in the pictures, but the flake colors are white, gray, black and blue metallic. The blue is very subtle, but very cool!!

This is a BLACK epoxy floor if you can't tell from the images. All the inspiration for the color of the floor was taken from E46M3. Ever since I read his writeup on his "M-house" build I have been in love with the black epoxy floor.

Huge thanks to my pops who brought his cycle trailer over and let me pack it full of my junk!


I know I will be asked, so here is the details of the products.

The epoxy is from Epoxy-Coat. One very thick layer of black, and one very thick layer of clear on top.

The flakes are from Norkan (thanks gabeancounter for the heads up). I also ordered the spike shoes, and 18" roller frame from Norkan as well.

Two very excellent companies to deal with. I had a very positive experience with both of them. The customer service was awesome! Huge thanks to them both.

 

[txhusker]

that's a great looking floor!

 

[nathank]

Also, I setup the webcam to snap a pic every 10 mins on the project, so I should have a timelapse video before too long.

 

[TheBanker]

Man that looks awesome! You didn't throw in any glow in the dark flakes?? The black looks really cool.

 

[sirsloop]

man... that gives me a headache! HAH! IDK... black floor IMHO is CRAZY. You'll have a hellavu time keeping that sucker clean!

 

[TheBanker]

Also, I setup the webcam to snap a pic every 10 mins on the project, so I should have a timelapse video before too long.

That will be great to see!! You tube?

 

[rugerlady]

Nathan, it looks great! Also have to give props to the wife and child for helping Thank you for the compliments

 

[nathank]

Well so much for the time lapse. The camera stopped snapping pics on day 2. What a bummer deal.

 

[noisufnoc]

looks great!

i love the computer shelf. I'm working on obtaining an old laptop for my shop computer.

 

[nathank]

looks great!

i love the computer shelf. I'm working on obtaining an old laptop for my shop computer.

I've got an old laptop if you want it. It need a power supply cord that can be purchased on Ebay for $30. I'd take $170 for the laptop. PM me your email if interested and I will send specs and pics.

 

[noisufnoc]

I've got an old laptop if you want it. It need a power supply cord that can be purchased on Ebay for $30. I'd take $170 for the laptop. PM me your email if interested and I will send specs and pics.

I appreciate the offer, but I'm the SysAdmin for the company I work for so I'm up to my ears with old laptops and computers.

 

[Kevin54]

Wow!! That floor looks great I too like the black.

Is the concrete wavy or is is just the camera angles and flakes that make it look like that? None the less, it is a great looking floor

If you don't mind saying....how much $$

 

[RENTEDCOW]

Great job! I just bought a new construction and plan on coating the garage floor.

Question is your top coat an Epoxy or Urethane?

 

[Rocker]

That looks pretty darn good. I absolutely love the black - would have looked pretty sharp in my garage with the red car especially, but I wonder if dropping little bolts and screws is going to be a PITA unless you see right where they went?

 

[Ruddy]

great job! Now you have joined the ranks of those who have done it. Maybe we should have a little online graduation party for everyone who has completed their floor! Plus now you can be an "Old Sage" and give out advice from direct experience to the new guys still in the contemplation stage!
Congrats!

 

[nathank]

Wow!! That floor looks great I too like the black.

Is the concrete wavy or is is just the camera angles and flakes that make it look like that? None the less, it is a great looking floor

If you don't mind saying....how much $$

Yes, the concrete is very wavy. The concrete guys my building contractor hired weren't the greatest.

I used 3 1/2 gallons of epoxy and probably 3 gallons of clear from Epoxy-Coat

 

[nathank]

That looks pretty darn good. I absolutely love the black - would have looked pretty sharp in my garage with the red car especially, but I wonder if dropping little bolts and screws is going to be a PITA unless you see right where they went?

I think you're probably right. I was working on a PC and dropped one of the small silver motherboard screws yesterday and it is still MIA.
I don't do a whole lot of real work in here though, it's more of a hangout than anything, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue for me.

 

[nathank]

Great job! I just bought a new construction and plan on coating the garage floor.

Question is your top coat an Epoxy or Urethane?

It's epoxy. I used probably 3 1/2 to 4 gallons of black and 3 or so gallons of clear (I had 5 gallons of each). I slapped it on pretty thick.

 

[nathank]

great job! Now you have joined the ranks of those who have done it. Maybe we should have a little online graduation party for everyone who has completed their floor! Plus now you can be an "Old Sage" and give out advice from direct experience to the new guys still in the contemplation stage!
Congrats!

I agree, but I still wish I could have practiced on someone else's floor before I tackled mine. Mostly because of the throwing flake thing. I'm not sure I would be one to give too much advice, I was a nervous wreck when I started. But I felt like a pro once it was nearing completion. There is nothing like the feeling when you dump that first batch of epoxy on the floor... lol

 

[rikmeister]

nice job. glad to see the pics of the final job.

 

[TheBanker]

I agree, but I still wish I could have practiced on someone else's floor before I tackled mine. Mostly because of the throwing flake thing. I'm not sure I would be one to give too much advice, I was a nervous wreck when I started. But I felt like a pro once it was nearing completion. There is nothing like the feeling when you dump that first batch of epoxy on the floor... lol

well you could always redo it..

 

[nathank]

well you could always redo it..

NOOOOOOOOO

I shudder to even think what it would take to get all the epoxy off this floor. As big of a job as this is, can you imagine starting with a floor that has already been epoxied and having to grind it all off? That would be a tough job.

I say we just live with the imperfections.

 

[gabeancounter]

Nathan,
Excellent job. I really like the floor. Turned out sharp. Maybe add a 4' strip around the bottom of the wall like Eddie did. I think that would look sharp.

I really like the workbench. That is my next project. Got any close up pics of the bench. I need to build mine high enough to clear the 2 HF boxes I just picked up. Wish I would have known about the gladiator sale on those top cabinets.

Again..great job!

 

[nathank]

Nathan,
Excellent job. I really like the floor. Turned out sharp. Maybe add a 4' strip around the bottom of the wall like Eddie did. I think that would look sharp.

I really like the workbench. That is my next project. Got any close up pics of the bench. I need to build mine high enough to clear the 2 HF boxes I just picked up. Wish I would have known about the gladiator sale on those top cabinets.

Again..great job!

Thank you sir!

The walls are going to completely change. I'm doing away with the peg and moving all the cabs to one wall, or above the bench. I haven't decided exactly what I am going to do, but I'm thinking of testing the galvanized metal for the bottom half of wall. I'll also be building a rolling bar/workbench.

This is about the best pic I have of the bench. I started with 2 really long 2x4s and constructed the top like you would frame a wall 16oc. You can tell from the pic how I made the legs. I used MDF for the top. It's really strong, I walked all over it when I built the loft above it.

 

[gabeancounter]

Thanks for extra pic. I forgot who did the galv walls but it looked sharp.(half wall). Not sure why so many people don't like the standard peg board. I like it! Putting a wood frame around it and using it in sections really looks good. Keep us posted on any storage or workbench updates. BC

 

[jkeyser14]

Looks great!

 

[stupidcelebrities]

Wow, it looks amazing. This post just changed my mind on the debate between tiling and epoxy for my house.

 

[nathank]

Thanks for extra pic. I forgot who did the galv walls but it looked sharp.(half wall). Not sure why so many people don't like the standard peg board. I like it! Putting a wood frame around it and using it in sections really looks good. Keep us posted on any storage or workbench updates. BC

The peg is fine, I just really want to change the wall color. Painting pegboard would be more work than just replacing it. I will give it this though, it sure is handy when you need to hang something.

 

[Ruddy]

Thanks for extra pic. I forgot who did the galv walls but it looked sharp.(half wall). Not sure why so many people don't like the standard peg board. I like it! Putting a wood frame around it and using it in sections really looks good. Keep us posted on any storage or workbench updates. BC

I like how this guy from the General Discussion area did his cabinet doors. Actually, I think he said his Wife did them!

 

[nathank]

I like how this guy from the General Discussion area did his cabinet doors. Actually, I think he said his Wife did them!

Yes!! I actually have a folder of various shop pics I have come across on GJ that I like, and that is one of them.

I'm thinking the metal on the bottom half of the wall where you see OSB now, and something else on the top. Like The Shrine did in his Saltbox build

But what would I use on top that would be easy to hang and easy to paint? OSB?

 

[tvpinballs]

Put galv. metal on bottom and car siding on top. Goes together e z and you can paint or use wood sealer and leave natural. Can also hang anything, anywhere on it to because it is 3/4" thick. Would match the black floor too.

Thanks, Todd

 

[gabeancounter]

Yes!! I actually have a folder of various shop pics I have come across on GJ that I like, and that is one of them.

I'm thinking the metal on the bottom half of the wall where you see OSB now, and something else on the top. Like The Shrine did in his Saltbox build

But what would I use on top that would be easy to hang and easy to paint? OSB?

That is what I am talking about! Looks great and using the 1x4 or 2x4 for the trim around the seams looks sharp. Very functional osb and look at that workbench 6x6's ..ooooohh. If mine was a detached shop, I would have done something like this.

I would do it all in the osb like this, then add framed out sections of peg using the same trim as the osb. Just run a dado a qtr inch deep around the trim boards so it sits flush.

 

[TheShrine]

Yes!! I actually have a folder of various shop pics I have come across on GJ that I like, and that is one of them.

I'm thinking the metal on the bottom half of the wall where you see OSB now, and something else on the top. Like The Shrine did in his Saltbox build

But what would I use on top that would be easy to hang and easy to paint? OSB?

That is what I am talking about! Looks great and using the 1x4 or 2x4 for the trim around the seams looks sharp. Very functional osb and look at that workbench 6x6's ..ooooohh. If mine was a detached shop, I would have done something like this.

I would do it all in the osb like this, then add framed out sections of peg using the same trim as the osb. Just run a dado a qtr inch deep around the trim boards so it sits flush.

Obviously, I agree with you guys on OSB, metal and trim. The unmarked OSB was difficult to find. If you're going to paint...it doesn't matter but if you're not, it makes a big difference. The overall appearance is significantly improved if you use unmarked when you don't paint. As for the trim, I used cedar 2 X 4's and ripped each piece used for trim. I started with basic pine batten/trim and it just did not blend well. I ended up using cedar to trim everything. The metal is merely held in place with cedar 2 X 4's cut in to 2 X 2's utilizing a dado to slid in the metal then each piece (for looks) is screwed in place to the OSB backing. I firmly suggest that you trim each of the joint spaces between the OSB with cedar/pine/something. Don't try to fill the crack as you mightdo with wallboard. It looks either way, painted or not. Also, I used screws where possible.

 

[Big N8]

I love that look.

 

[Steevo]

It sure is pretty, but I'd hate like hell to have to crawl around looking for a small part dropped on that floor.

 

[nathank]

It sure is pretty, but I'd hate like hell to have to crawl around looking for a small part dropped on that floor.

But wouldn't this be a good excuse to not have to work on anything?

 

[TheBanker]

Damn you guys, now you got me thinking again and I thought I was finished! I wonder what some of that would look like in my garage...as you know it could use some toughing up.

 

[nathank]

I almost hesitate to post this given the tone of the other EC thread.

BUT

I got the IMPORTANT things back in the shop.

 

[gabeancounter]

Nathan,
Looking great. I've chilled out. Removed some of my comments. There is nothing wrong with the EC products. You have a great looking floor and shop! Be proud!

If I had that tap in my shop I would get hurt! Stumbling around...lol

That bike looks like the perfect mixture of crotch rocket and cruiser.

 

[TheBanker]

Looks like you have some wiring work to do!
Looks great!!