Flooring Questions?

[mhardy]

Ok. I am looking at putting epoxy on my garage floor. It's aprox 700 sq feet and 3 years old. This is what I am thinking of doing. First, acid eching the whole thing several times to make sure I have got it good. Second putting down two coats of the Rustoluem epoxy sheild that is the solvent based, its at Lowes and is the "ALL in on bucket". I was hoping that two buckets will cover with a first light coat and then a second normal coat. My friend did the non-solvent type and it has lasted well actually but the color chips are coming up so I am thinking of them finishing it off with the Rustoluem epoxy shield clear coating, thinking that this will help keep the color chips from coming off and make a better lasting finish. Here are a few questions?

1. I live in a very windy area and I am trying to figure out how I am going to paint this with the garage door open. I was thinking I would mask a line that is under where my garage door lands and then paint up to it. Won't I need to live the door slightly open for a few days and if so what if the wind blows dust and **** in. I guess I could mask the opening with plastic? Any ideas? Also what works best for masking the line? Just common masking tape?

2. I am skeptical about using anti-skid in the Epoxy clear coat finish. I had one painter tell me that this causes the finish or paint to wear faster. Any expereince with this? I want it to look glossy and like it would be slipery but not be. Will this give me the effect?

 

[snorvet]

I acid etched per the instructions from epoxy-coat but it had little effect. probably because it was diluted. I recommend full strength if you're going to acid etch.

Find something better than the blue painters masking tape to mask the edge. I used that stuff and the epoxy oozed under it a little in a few spots.

You probably need to keep the garage door open a few days. I disengaged the door opener and lined up some 2x4's partially under the door about 1/4" off the epoxy line. I lined the 2x4's the whole length of the door and manually lowered the door onto the 2x4's.

I shotblasted my floor and it made a very rough finish. I put down 2 coats of epoxy, about 4 times as many flakes as provided in the kit, and then followed with 2 coats of clear urethane. I didnt use any anti-skid. The floor is glossy, but still slightly rough. I dont slip though.

 

[mhardy]

I like the 2x4 idea, I think it will work. Thanks

 

[Wangstang]

I just used two of the all in one buckets on my 550 sq ft garage. The first coat went onto bare concrete and I ran out of paint, just enough short to not be able to cover an area about the size of the bottom of the bucket. On the second coat, I started at the bare spot first, and then came back to it at the end and added extra. I can not tell a difference in the finish at that spot.

After the first coat had cured for 16hrs it looked really light and it was clear it needed the second coat. The second coat had enough extra in the bucket that I could have coverd an extra 50-75 sq feet if I really wanted to.