Just purchased a new townhome in a wintry area where garage will easily get dirty. Garage drywall is painted white with standard wall paint. I want to put a very hard finish on the walls and would appreciate any experience you have. Years ago I worked in a restaurant that had a hard epoxy paint on kitchen walls that could almost withstand a hammer hit without showing a mark. I liked that because it could be washed with a sopping wet sponge and not absorb a drop. Trying to plan the current project; I use Benjamin Moore frequently and they have 3 options: 1) Pre-catalyzed epoxy, 2) Command: waterborne acrylic urethane promoted for factory walls and even floors, and 3) Scuff-X, an interior latex designer to be scuff resistant. I would appreciate any suggestions or experience with these ( or others if you have favorites) . The harder the better; I am willing to pay more for these paints to get the result I want. Also recognize that run/sag can be an issue with epoxies on vertical surfaces but will use if I can understand how to do it properly. Thanks for any insights.
Hard Finish Wall Paint
- Thread starter Vernice91
- Start date
Zeke
Well-known member
I can eliminate no. 3.
Stelzer
Well-known member
Corotech Command would be my first pick unless you can get PPG's Breakthrough in their V250 line, (not the more VOC friendly v50). The v50 is too soft.
If you want something more bombproof than that, you'll have to use 2 part systems, which would be a huge PITA.
If you want something more bombproof than that, you'll have to use 2 part systems, which would be a huge PITA.
Shiftless
Well-known member
I use BM Scuff-X and find it remarkably durable. Bad stains removed with magic eraser or barkeepers friend.
BillK
Well-known member
The "hardest" paint in the world isn't going to do much good against dents etc on a soft substrate like drywall. If all you are concerned with is cleaning it then any good gloss finish wall paint should be fine. We used Benjamin Moore on the block walls in my shop and it has held up fine for the last 20 years.
I used Behr cabinet/door/trim enamel paint on my shelves and that stuff is tuff. It did take 2-3 coats and the drying time was slow, I think it takes a week to fully cure. It leaves a smooth hard finish that resists scuff and you can scrub it. It also seems to repel liquids pretty good. It can hold up to stuff getting dragged along shelves so it should be tough enough for your walls.
Great Thanks bill
Great- Thanks for the input DH
Super- thanks Doug. Being from a pharma background I like that feel of smooth hard walls in labs that seem impervious to attack. Thanks againI use this SW 8100 2 part at work - biotech lab. Use a 1/4 nap roller mix small amounts, mix with a drill and paddle can also be tinted
very durable & long lasting, yes on walls!!
plan to do 2 coats minimum
el
For a home garage it sounds like you're willing to go much further than you need to. I did a garage wall a few years ago with Behr gloss enamel and I am just amazed how easily it cleans up and how durable it is. Simple green has cleaned off anything, including engine oil, and it still looks new. I have this finish above the garage garbage can, so it sees a decent amount of abuse and **** spray. I do not remember how many coats I put on, but definitely not more than two.
Thanks Steve- yeah, its a 1-car garage and brand new and I always remember how incredible the epoxy walls were at a restaurant I worked at that took enormous abuse. Ill have snow tires against walls and mud since we are in the mountains so I am willing to pay a bit more and do a bit more in order to limit the amount of cleaning I end up doing. Sounds like the Behr gloss enamel is a possibility...Thanks a lot for that.
rayra
Well-known member
Any gloss enamel will do what you want, at a fraction of the cost. And as long as your substrate is drywall, using the much more costly products wont gain you much.
Maybe consider adding some sort of sheet goods as a 4'H wainscot on your interior wall surfaces is you expect that sort of abuse.
Maybe consider adding some sort of sheet goods as a 4'H wainscot on your interior wall surfaces is you expect that sort of abuse.
good to hear.. was at BM yesterday and the owner said that Scuff-x is their current go-to product for residential use when some extra durability is the goal
That makes sense. I think enamel is probably all that I need but some sort of sheet is interesting as well..
The hard coat are usually alkyd paints, it’s some sort of water base urethane. Benjamin Moore also have them If you search alkyd paint. It’s pretty tough, not as tough as my cats scratches, still better than normal paint. But color selections are limited at least at homedepot.
lml999
Well-known member
Been thinking about doing the latter as I'm getting ready to paint the walls and then have the floor professionally done.
What would you recommend - something as simple as 4x8 sheets of plastic, like this?
Two car home garage, no significant wrenching or other wear, just the usual bing bang, so to speak.
...or is that overkill with a good paint selection (I'm thinking the Behr trim and cabinet paint...I already have some on a shelf (in a can...)
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CraigStu
Well-known member
How about glueing up some fiberglass. Remember that slight pebble finish stuff they used to use in utility areas in schools and restrooms? There are also several other types of wall covering that might work. Take a walk through the 4x8 sheet department at L or HD or other lumber yards.
nadogail
Well-known member
FRP, Fiber Reenforced Plastic is commonly used in commercial kitchens and fast food restaurant Rest Rooms. Properly installed it will hold up to being Pressure Washed.
I used FRP adhesive to glue mine to the Dry Wall in my workshop rest room.
I used FRP adhesive to glue mine to the Dry Wall in my workshop rest room.
We used Scuff-X in our last homes first floor repaint and it was excellent. My wife loved the stuff. Agree that it being on drywall it isn’t providing a solid surface. In my shop, to offer a bit more protection I laid 4x8 sheets of sheet metal horizontally. That would take the hit.
wolfhawk73
Well-known member
Agreed. Use the best high-gloss water-based paint that you can find. It'll work just fine for your needs. I'd be worried about an epoxy- or oil-based finish not allowing the wall to breathe, especially if you ever intend to cool the garage. Any water vapor buildup in the walls wouldn't be able to escape through those coatings, and mold could result. Latex has a decent permeability rating to allow water vapor to pass through.
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PopcornSutton
Well-known member
Laminating something on the wall that will take some abuse makes sense. Maybe consider doing it wainscot style, 4 feet high all around where most abuse would take place.