Ghostshield 4500/8510 install

[Mthomas1686]

So I ended up just going with the ghostshield products. I liked the reviews it got, the way it keeps a natural looking easy to maintain floor. The price point and also the customer service of ordering through Garageflooringllc.com.

Today I started the process of getting my floor done. I bought a new Round Up brand sprayer that has a 3 way adjustable nozzle. It was like $6 more then the more basic design, it worked really well.
This is almost 90 day old concrete, I did not etch or power wash. I wanted to get the first step done since it was a nice day out, got up into the 60's.
So I diluted it down 4:1 to make 5 total gallons. I did not use the full gallon of 4500, I mixed 1 gallon water to 32oz of 4500 to start. I started spraying and it went great, I sprayed it heavy enough to wet the concrete but not over soak and puddle. The concrete soaked it up no problem. I was able to mix the 2nd and 3rd batch and cut back in with issue. Any small puddled areas I just swept over with a 3/8 nap roller.
So I wasn't able to do the entire floor due to filling up the garage with stuff already. I moved it all to the one side so there's only 3 blocks left. Hopefully next weekend i will apply the 8510. I will update when i do.

 

[rebelranger]

What are you total for thus far? Please get a decent height overview photo...like from a step ladder. I'm torn on Armorpoxy or this.

 

[Mthomas1686]

What are you total for thus far? Please get a decent height overview photo...like from a step ladder. I'm torn on Armorpoxy or this.

I was thinking armorpoxy as well, but just couldn't spend the money on it, I also did not want to grind my fresh floor. I ground the concrete in my basement and it was the worst time doing it. Very time consuming.

So far I'm at a total of $1,175 in material. I will most likely be able to return 1 gal of the 4500. I bought 3 but haven't even used a full one yet. I have 2400sqft so I'm not sure why I'm using so little but I didn't want it over done and chasing puddles and leaving it chalky.
As of yesterday it looks and feels no different then before application.

 

[C2 Turbo]

You are using Distilled water, right? This is what the manufacturer recommends.

 

[Mthomas1686]

You are using Distilled water, right? This is what the manufacturer recommends.

I actually did not. I used warm water....goes through an iron filter and a softener. Hopefully itll be ok. I did read about distilled water on GJ but it didn't say you needed it on the bottle.

 

[rebelranger]

Mthomas - just so I understand, you did all the work and the concrete looks and feels the same as untreated?

I know topical coatings are subject to scratches, how about this?

 

[Mthomas1686]

Mthomas - just so I understand, you did all the work and the concrete looks and feels the same as untreated?

I know topical coatings are subject to scratches, how about this?

So far yes, I've only put down the densifier so far though, I'll be doing the 8510 on Saturday. I don't think this product is a topical coating, I think it actually soaks into the concrete.

 

[Rmracing]

I applied the 4500 and 8510 a couple months ago. Once dried it will look just like it did before you applied it. I haven’t used the garage much but I did have a small leak under a car and it just beaded up. I also put some water on the floor and it beaded up.

 

[Mthomas1686]

Today was the day I got the 8510 sprayed down. Another easy to use product. First coat I just sprayed down to saturate it. The concrete started soaking it up and any areas it puddled I just used the roller to wipe through it.

After the first coat was done i went back and started the 2nd. I probably waited a little too long to start the 2nd, nothing bad happened but it just took more effort to re-wet it again.
For the 2nd coat I sprayed it down again but didn't saturate it totally. I sprayed then rolled it into the concrete evenly.
These pictures are after the 1st coat.

 

[Mthomas1686]

This was after the 2nd coat. The few areas it was puddled from the first coat I just blended with the roller.

 

[RPH]

I did the 4500 and the 8505. It’s a farm shop so I do expect stains. But this stuff has worked great at the stain resistance. You will find ice won’t stick to the cement in the winter.

 

[rebelranger]

If I may, because I can't decide, why did you use these two more expensive products over Armorpoxy SFGX? I can't make my mind up. I don't want stain but at the same time it wouldn't be the end of the world.

 

[RPH]

These products are penetrating sealers. There is no top coat on the surface. Concrete doesn’t change its friction quality and there is nothing scratch or burn. For a working shop they work quite well for the cost.

 

[Mthomas1686]

If I may, because I can't decide, why did you use these two more expensive products over Armorpoxy SFGX? I can't make my mind up. I don't want stain but at the same time it wouldn't be the end of the world.

I actually never checked out the armorpoxy sfgx. I did initially look at the armorpoxy epoxy kits, but I decided for the cost and what I plan to do it wasn't the right choice. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love the look of all these epoxy and polyurea coated floors. I didn't want to go through the process of grinding my fresh concrete and just the process itself. My wife and I ground our basement floor and stained it, I would never do it again as it was very labor intensive for us.

Overall the ghostshield i felt was pretty cheap for its coverage and desired effects. I actually used way less then I thought, like 5gal less. I feel I did not under coat it either.

 

[rebelranger]

Mthomas - thank you.