Floor Paint

[shadyluke]

I'm in the process of planning out a pole barn build and the wife is pushing me to finish the floor. I don't know why she really cares but I'm coming here for advice of if its worth it or not and possibly what kind to use.

The building will be primarily used for my home shop and fabrication work. I'm not gentle on things so there will be plenty of heavy steel on the floor and cutting/grinding/plasma/welding going on in here. Can I expect it to hold up to this kind of abuse or will it end up looking worse just because its chipped and burnt. I'm not going to go out of my way to protect a concrete floor in a shop.

The building is going to be 30x40 but we are trying to stretch the budget and get 30x50. I only state this as a cost stand point.

-Luke

 

[mikec35]

Luke- heavy welding and heavy steel are tough on any floor. I can tell you paint will require periodic repainting to keep it nice. Epoxy or other types of tougher finishes will hold up better but require a very good profiled surface to adhere or they will come up prematurely. You might be better off with a sealer that's easier to reapply when necessary. Check or ask your question in the flooring section of the forum. Lots of good info there as well as a bunch of experts over there that can advise. Good luck in your search.

 

[sean Buick 76]

I agree, do not use an epoxy due to your cutting and welding.... Just use a good clear sealer and re-apply every few years. Seal it up ASAP before it gets all messed up.

 

[shadyluke]

Will a good sealer make cleaning up any oils easier? Pretty much everything I have leaks something and I will admit I would like it to wipe up easy without looking terrible afterwards.

Thanks for the replies. I am new to this venue, is there any way this thread could be moved to the floor section?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thanks for the replies. I am new to this venue, is there any way this thread could be moved to the floor section?

All you have to do is PM a Mod to have a thread moved in the future or need help. I have already moved this thread.

Welcome to GJ.

 

[Shea]

Shadyluke,

You may be a good candidate for a siliconate penetrating floor sealer or a densifier.

A densifier technically doesn't seal the concrete, but it does increase the density and strength of the surface of the concrete. It helps to protect the concrete from steel work, dragging things, and etc. This increase in the density also helps to close up the pores at the surface and acts as a sealer. Spills generally wipe up fairly easy if you don't let them sit.

A siliconate penetrating sealer is a non film forming sealer that actually seals the concrete just at the surface. It doesn't strengthen the surface as much as a densifier, but it does seal better. This type of sealer lasts for years and years and only wears as the concrete wears. It will do a better job at resisting stains than a densifier, but fluids still will stain if left to sit. There is no worry about scratching it and having to reapply like a topical sealer.

Both of these will not change the appearance of the concrete much and will retain the same non-slip grip and bare concrete. They tend to be the more popular applications for people who want a no nonsense floor and don't care as much about how it looks as long as it performs.