Grinding a floor and a topcoat

[BetterDays]

I will be updating with pics shortly, but how far down can you grind the garage floor before you begin running into other potential problems? My garage floor is horrible. Unfortunately, I really don't have the spare funds to remove and pour new. If I were to coat the floor, I would need to grind quite a bit (maybe 1/4 to 1/2") to make it level (well, at least uniform).

What I am I looking to do is grind the floor smooth-ish, fill the cracks, and then topcoat.

Anyone else ever grind more than simple surface imperfections?

 

[AlphaGarage]

What specifically is wrong with the floor? Grinding down that much is quite an operation, usually there are other options. Do post some good pictures of the problem areas, try place a quarter or dollar in the shots so we can get an idea of the scale.

In the meantime here's a look at a floor that was it terrible shape but fixed up nicely with some TLC.

 

[monkers]

I have a garage floor that is very rough, like a broom finish sidewalk, maybe worse, the floor is really three different floors (pours) because it was added on to twice, the original floor has some chunks out that i will have to add sakrete or something similar to to restore it, the center section of floor isnt too bad, just dirty, and the third section is the rough section, im not looking for perfection, just want it smooth enough to be able to roll things around on it. How does the epoxy hold up to welding sparks and torch cutting sparks?

 

[texas-saluki]

It might be better to have a new layer poured on top before putting down the epoxy

 

[haugy]

I'm in the same boat. The guys who poured mine didn't smooth it at all. There are shoe prints in the surface, about 2 millimeters deep. Rough texture, smooth texture, foot prints, etc. It's absolutely horrible.

I would like to hear recommendations for the Original Poster as I will probably have to do the same.

 

[BetterDays]

It might be better to have a new layer poured on top before putting down the epoxy

What is the best/proper way to prep for a new layer?
Rough grind and fill in the cracks/pops/etc.?

 

[texas-saluki]

I'm in the same boat. The guys who poured mine didn't smooth it at all. There are shoe prints in the surface, about 2 millimeters deep. Rough texture, smooth texture, foot prints, etc. It's absolutely horrible.
.

I think some of the epoxy coating would cover that... they are supposed to be self leveling so I figure it is just thicker in that area. You will acid watch or grind the floor first so it would take it down another .5 mil I would believe