Getting ready to pull the trigger on VCT - Quick Question

[rob_v]

Hello All,

After information overload about garage floors, I've decided to pull the trigger and install VCT for my garage floor.

Its a 3 stall garage, 2 I use for cars, the 3rd stall is for bikes, and other "stuff".
I like the looks of what I can do w/ the VCT vs epoxy and b/c its only used for "parking" I figured it would be a good choice.

I plan on doing this next week, here is my process, Id be open to any suggestions or opinions.


Tomorrow, fill in any cracks and expansion joints on the floor.
Question - do I need to do any other prep to do this besides making sure the cracks are clean of dirt and debris? Any suggestion on what brand to use (have access to lowes and HD).

Friday - rent diamond buffer from HD and smooth out the floor.

Saterday - lay the VCT using Armstrong 750 adhesive
Question - reading this :
http://www.burtmanindustries.com/images/garage/vct_install.pdf
It mentions this :
For a more permanent application, tiles can be applied with epoxy to
the concrete.

My main concern is the tiles moving if the wheels are turned while on the tile. Had anyone had issues w/ the 750 adhesive doing this?

Once they are laid, I will roll them.
I have read about sealing and/or waxing it once its complete. Do I need to rent a machine to do this, or is just normal floor waxing suffice?

Thanks for any opinions/answers you can give.

-Rob

 

[SteveB]

Rob, I used the same 750 adhesive on my VCT install in July 2006. In all this time we have had no tiles shifting, moving or cracking. My wife is prone to cranking on the steering wheel as she is parking her car on the VCT, so far with no nasty side effects.

I sealed and polished my new floor as per the instructions and used only a sponge mop. Other than renting a floor polish stripper from Home Depot 3 years ago I have always cleaned and polished the VCT with a mop.

 

[budl]

I just posted about a shifting tile problem I am having. Armstrong tile purchased at HD (I think it is called excelon). I also have noticed what appear to be permanent tire marks on white tiles where the cars are parked. Re: the shifting tiles, I used Henry's glue purchased at Lowes. I don't know if the Armstrong is better but the specs are almost identical. Armstrong says DON'T roll the excelon. Nice thing about the vct is its is cheap and easy to replace.

Bud

 

[dipper]

i haven't had a tile come up or shift in 4+ years since installed.

Being a new install you don't need a machine, just put your polish down after install using a mop. The machine is used in the future when you want to strip and clean the floor and then put new polish down.

 

[smg980]

Anyone use jacks and jack stands on their VCT? How well do the tiles hold up to that abuse?

 

[nolimits76]

Anyone use jacks and jack stands on their VCT? How well do the tiles hold up to that abuse?

From what I've read, most throw a spare tile between the jack & actual floor. The bigger problem is once the car is let down and the springs naturally decompress. Sometimes it will cause the VCT tiles to push apart.

Not deterring anyone, and the price is definitely right. But if you work in your garage I came to the conclusion this probably isn't the best long term solution. Plus, most everyone recommends you seal it anyhow once installed, which adds cost. Then I hear how you have to polish/buff it often.

Seemed like the prom queen....pretty to look at and have fun with, but requires a lot of maintenance.

 

[rob_v]

Thanks for the tips.
Ended up getting it at HD for about .69/sq ft

They had it for 35.55 per case, lowes had it for 32.44 per case, the price match minus an extra 10% made it 29.20 /case
I needed 18 cases - so after tax worked out to .69/sq ft.

Not to bad! They did not have the adhesive, so I still need to grab that somewhere.

Im hoping it comes in before the weekend....Ill post pics when Im done.

Thanks again
-Rob

 

[SteveB]

From what I've read, most throw a spare tile between the jack & actual floor. The bigger problem is once the car is let down and the springs naturally decompress. Sometimes it will cause the VCT tiles to push apart.

Not deterring anyone, and the price is definitely right. But if you work in your garage I came to the conclusion this probably isn't the best long term solution. Plus, most everyone recommends you seal it anyhow once installed, which adds cost. Then I hear how you have to polish/buff it often.

Seemed like the prom queen....pretty to look at and have fun with, but requires a lot of maintenance.

Twice a year I damp mop/clean my VCT garage floor and then mop on some more liquid polish. For 550 sq ft its a 45 minute task. Not really a lot of maintenance.

A jug of sealant cost me $22 and I used the old mop to seal my floor after its initial install.

 

[mikec35]

Make sure to keep wax on the vct to minimize tire marks and other stains. You can rent a buffer for a weekend after the wax has had time to harden and buff your floors to a nice shine. You can spot strip areas and re-wax as needed. If you have stains that will not come up... like tire marks...you can use a rag soaked with mineral spirits to try to remove the stain, changing it frequently. For stubborn stains you can used a white towel soaked in bleach on the stain for 20 minutes at a time, repeat until the stain is gone, then clean and wax the area. If you have colored vct I would test all chemical stripping on a spare tile to make sure you don't lose any color. Replacing individual vct's is easy so I would keep a box or two of spares so you can keep the floor looking new as time goes by. Very important to get your wax down before you start using the floor or it will be a maintenance nightmare...Good Luck