Flooring options in a 40x40

[Guru27]

Been a long time lurker, but I started a 40x40 shop build last week so I decided it was time to sign up. When I was designing my shop I didn't give much thought to what coating I would want, figured I would run to lowes and pick one out. But after spending the last couple days here looking through old threads I've found out that there's way more options than I ever imagined. My shop will be 100% a hobby shop, but I will be working in it. I do a good bit of woodworking, welding , and some mechanic work. I want a floor that will hold up decent to all of that, I know that welding is hard on them, but I don't mind some splatter marks or burns, my main concern is keeping oil stains off of my slab, and ease of cleanup.

I had planned to do some kind of epoxy, but after reading about the prep work required I'm not sure that I'm ready to commit to doing that. I have done a a little research on just using a clear sealer and like the idea of that and also the look of it, but I'm not sure of the prep work, and durability. I have also looked into rust bullet as well and it is honestly the leading contender right now, due to its intalation ease.

Do I need to be looking at anything else? It seems like for every product made you can find just as many bad review as you can good ones. That's why I'm turning to the experts here to point me in the right direction.

 

[PurdueSD]

I'm researching for basically the exact same usage as you. Basically it seems like a densifier followed by a penetrating sealer is leading the pack for me. I don't want to spend hours and hours working on my freaking floors, i want to do work on them

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Concrete Stainguard?


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[PurdueSD]

Concrete Stainguard?


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Just the densifier, No sealer?

 

[fowldarr]

Following. Should have this same issue soon (but with and existing shop)

 

[Guru27]

Concrete Stainguard?


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I watched a video on this after reading your post. From the looks of it you just spray it and work it into the slab, and once you have enough coats you burnish it. Looks like a pretty good option too.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Been a long time lurker, but I started a 40x40 shop build last week so I decided it was time to sign up. When I was designing my shop I didn't give much thought to what coating I would want, figured I would run to lowes and pick one out. But after spending the last couple days here looking through old threads I've found out that there's way more options than I ever imagined. My shop will be 100% a hobby shop, but I will be working in it. I do a good bit of woodworking, welding , and some mechanic work. I want a floor that will hold up decent to all of that, I know that welding is hard on them, but I don't mind some splatter marks or burns, my main concern is keeping oil stains off of my slab, and ease of cleanup.

I had planned to do some kind of epoxy, but after reading about the prep work required I'm not sure that I'm ready to commit to doing that. I have done a a little research on just using a clear sealer and like the idea of that and also the look of it, but I'm not sure of the prep work, and durability. I have also looked into rust bullet as well and it is honestly the leading contender right now, due to its intalation ease.

Do I need to be looking at anything else? It seems like for every product made you can find just as many bad review as you can good ones. That's why I'm turning to the experts here to point me in the right direction.

TL37 followed by GhostShield 8505 or 8510. The stuff has had amazing reviews, does its job and does not change the look of your concrete or leave a film to be destroyed. https://www.garageflooringllc.com/siloxa-tek-8505-concrete-sealer/

 

[PurdueSD]

TL37 followed by GhostShield 8505 or 8510. The stuff has had amazing reviews, does its job and does not change the look of your concrete or leave a film to be destroyed. https://www.garageflooringllc.com/siloxa-tek-8505-concrete-sealer/

I went back and re-read ryan's floor coating article and noticed you recommended an Epoxy sealer for him. Is the epoxy more durable? Is it more of slick finish?

I know it requires an acid etch, and little more complicated application. Just curious, as to the comparison. thank you!

 

[Garage Flooring]

I went back and re-read ryan's floor coating article and noticed you recommended an Epoxy sealer for him. Is the epoxy more durable? Is it more of slick finish?

I know it requires an acid etch, and little more complicated application. Just curious, as to the comparison. thank you!

Whats a better car, a Jeep or a Corvette? The answer is in how it is being used. My part of the world, I'd take the Jeep. We do a lot of clear coatings and epoxy floors. https://www.garageflooringllc.com/2017/05/12/clear-gloss-garage-floor-coating-polyuea/

Which one is better depends on what you need and how you are using the floor. If you just want to be able to clean it up and not worry about protecting it, a sealer is awesome. If you want some shine and you are willing to protect the floor when you weld, there are a ton of options out there -- and I love clear polyurea.

 

[PurdueSD]

Whats a better car, a Jeep or a Corvette? The answer is in how it is being used. My part of the world, I'd take the Jeep. We do a lot of clear coatings and epoxy floors. https://www.garageflooringllc.com/2017/05/12/clear-gloss-garage-floor-coating-polyuea/



Which one is better depends on what you need and how you are using the floor. If you just want to be able to clean it up and not worry about protecting it, a sealer is awesome. If you want some shine and you are willing to protect the floor when you weld, there are a ton of options out there -- and I love clear polyurea.

Awesome, ya protecting when i weld is not on my priority list! Thank you!

 

[lakeroadster]

I used Eagle Natural Seal on the concrete slab in my barn.

It's available from Home Depot, $78.92 for a 5 gallon pail, you'll need two. Shipped to your door for free.

It doesn't change the look of the concrete, just seals it.

Water beads up nicely.

When I was installing my lift about a quart of fluid leaked out onto the floor, I cleaned it up, you can't tell it ever happened.

 

[Radix2]

John, you don't have a power troweled floor -do you?

So no gloss at all on your application? - would it do anything shine wise on a troweled floor do you think?



I bought some HD40 stainguard from legacy to try. The legacy info says that it bonds and develops some shine by buffing. I tried it on both the power troweled finish I have and some freshly diamond ground area, I was surprised that it has a fair amount of shine even without buffing. I also tried reducing it with water as the directions say, still has a gloss( which I like).

Lots of choices out there, thinking about doing some polishing...hmmmm.

Anyone know how ghostsheild would do on a polished floor - I assume it would still not change the gloss. Thinking of a satin level only.

 

[lakeroadster]

John, you don't have a power troweled floor -do you?

So no gloss at all on your application? - would it do anything shine wise on a troweled floor do you think?

Yes it was power troweled but I didn't want it super smooth. It still has some tooth to it.



Here's a photo of the finish cured Eagle Natural Seal. No gloss whatsoever.. by design: "Seals concrete yet doesn't look sealed"

 

[Armorpoxy]

A good solution for this would be our SPGX one part coating. It gives the look of a sealer floor but with at least 10x the fluid and solvent resistance. One coat and your done. A quick power wash and etch/rinse is all that is needed for prep.

https://armorpoxy.com/products/spgx-one-part-polyurea-coating/

 

[Guru27]

Looks like I will have more time than expected to make a decision. The weather refuses to cooperate with us. Hopefully the rain will let up next week and we can pour. Still leaves me with plenty of time to change my mind a few more times. Thanks for all the help I new the GJ would point me in the right direction.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Looks like I will have more time than expected to make a decision. The weather refuses to cooperate with us. Hopefully the rain will let up next week and we can pour. Still leaves me with plenty of time to change my mind a few more times. Thanks for all the help I new the GJ would point me in the right direction.

Last week we had freeze warnings and rain and hail. This week its beautiful (but I have to travel). I with ya.

 

[Guru27]

Had a break in the weather last week and got the slab poured! Should have a building up and be ready for a coating in a couple weeks! After going back and forth I decided to go with the rust bullet, and ordered it from Garage Flooring today. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Thanks everyone for all the help!

 

[Garage Flooring]

Been a long time lurker, but I started a 40x40 shop build last week so I decided it was time to sign up. When I was designing my shop I didn't give much thought to what coating I would want, figured I would run to lowes and pick one out. But after spending the last couple days here looking through old threads I've found out that there's way more options than I ever imagined. My shop will be 100% a hobby shop, but I will be working in it. I do a good bit of woodworking, welding , and some mechanic work. I want a floor that will hold up decent to all of that, I know that welding is hard on them, but I don't mind some splatter marks or burns, my main concern is keeping oil stains off of my slab, and ease of cleanup.

I had planned to do some kind of epoxy, but after reading about the prep work required I'm not sure that I'm ready to commit to doing that. I have done a a little research on just using a clear sealer and like the idea of that and also the look of it, but I'm not sure of the prep work, and durability. I have also looked into rust bullet as well and it is honestly the leading contender right now, due to its intalation ease.

Do I need to be looking at anything else? It seems like for every product made you can find just as many bad review as you can good ones. That's why I'm turning to the experts here to point me in the right direction.

Coatings generally are not going to tolerate weld slag unless the floor is protected. If you are going to protect the floor, consider a clear polyurea like this project: https://www.garageflooringllc.com/2017/05/12/clear-gloss-garage-floor-coating-polyuea/

If you are doing a floor with just a sealer and there will be mechanical work, I would do a densifier first then Ghostshield 8505 or 8510 https://www.garageflooringllc.com/siloxa-tek-8505-concrete-sealer/