How come I'm always last?

[Garage-Tech]

Well, why does my garage always look like a disaster? I'm supposed to set an example for my customers.

I changed out my tired Home Depot epoxy on my floor, fixed some substantial cracks in my slab, and cleaned up my garage. Lets take a look.

What I started with - 22x20 Two Car -


Some shots of the cracks, and old epoxy


I loaded the contents into my trailer, cleaned everything up, and used the TG-10 EDCO to take up the epoxy.


I also squeezed a two day trip to the Keys in there.


Finally, I chased and filled all the cracks.


I used a sandstone epoxy, with a metallic gold and brown flake mix. I broadcasted heavy, and cleared it with 5 gallons of polyurea.


This is what it looks like after i moved everything back in.


Thanks for looking it over, I'm glad to have a clean garage again.

 

[-Brent-]

I like that color combo.

 

[Garage-Tech]

Thanks, the pictures don't do it justice...It has silver and gold metallic flakes that the camera doesn't pick up.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Garage Tech, congrats on doing your floor. I too have a garage that needs an overhaul. I think a bad garage floor is a prerequisite for being in the flooring business.

 

[Garage-Tech]

lol...legacy, that seems to be true.

 

[Steves32]

Well to put this all into perspective...........

I'm a plumbing & HVAC contractor & my bath remodel is approaching the 8 month anniversary & is no way close to done. If I was my customer- 5-6 weeks tops.

 

[rugerlady]

I can also relate, my floor and entire garage for that matter is a complete mess. lol

 

[Garage-Tech]

I don't feel like such a hypocrite now...thanks, lol

 

[geologist]

Looks good. I like the heavy flaking.

 

[blacksporty]

That is why you don't buy a car from a mechanic, their's is usually the last one to get serviced. The last thing they want to do after working on customer cars all day is to work on their own. Of course there is always the exception to every rule.

 

[dcs Inc]

Looks good Garage Tech. I've been into concrete for 40 years and still have a gravel driveway. gene

 

[Garage-Tech]

Steven - Thanks, its also one of my favorite. The only problem is it takes lots of clear coat to build up a finish over the flakes.

Black - Ive heard that before. Good thing all the professional mechanics i know drive POS cars/trucks. They don't have anything I'd consider buying ...but I got the point

 

[Garage-Tech]

lol...Gene, that seems like a crime

 

[dcs Inc]

Well I know what heavy trucks do to concrete and felt it worse to have a broken up driveway. Besides, nice merrimac rock looks pretty good. (At least thats what I tell the wife) gene

 

[Hipjake2]

Very well done. Maybe think about some cabineted storage shelves for an even cleaner look.... after some well deserved rest and a case of beer!!

 

[Garage-Tech]

Gene - I like your outlook, preventive maintenance.

Hipjake - I install cabinets on a lot of my jobs, and the ones that I really like cost big money. Sure I could compromise and get some decent ones but all the cabinets in the world wont keep my garage from eventually turning back into the junk pile it was.
But I can still dream about some vault cabinets ... http://www.vaultgarage.com/

 

[PontiacFan]

Nice improvement.
Curious what you did around the water heater tho, since you couldn't grind the old stuff from underneath it.

 

[Garage-Tech]

Pontiac - There never was a coating under the heater just bare concrete. So I ground as close as possible, and took some sandpaper to the old finish to scuff it up. That seems to hold up fairly well as long as the previous finish isn't peeling.

 

[71flh]

My opinion on this is generally ignored, or scorned...

Some flippers bought the house next door and painted the 30 year old brick that had had exactly $0 spent on it since it was new. In order to modernize the house and sell it, paint was apparently needed.

The house sold quickly to some retards, but that's another story.

Now the paint on that brick needs redone every X number of years, or months if it fails.

I don't get it...

 

[Garage-Tech]

71flh - I may have missed your point, but are you suggesting that epoxy coating the garage floor is like painting the bricks? Adding unneeded maintenance to an otherwise relative maintenance free floor?

 

[Chaz]

My opinion on this is generally ignored, or scorned...

The house sold quickly to some retards, but that's another story.

Geez, I wonder why your opinion is generally ignored or scorned?

 

[71flh]

Heh sorry, I tend to rave.

That's exactly what I'm saying. What's softer or more durable? Paint or concrete? Or brick and paint? You can call it epoxy, but its still paint.

What's better?
A woman who looks great with makeup, or a woman who looks good in the morning?

 

[71flh]

Geez, I wonder why your opinion is generally ignored or scorned?

One day you'll have neighbors like this and understand. Til then, add to the conversation, or FO.
Have you any comments on topic, trollboy/girl?

 

[hardhat]

Painting the floor looks nice, if we all thought like that there would only be vanilla ice cream.

 

[Garage-Tech]

I slightly agree with you 71flh. I'm a minimalist. I like the natural look of things, and a low maintenance approach... but this philosophy can quickly take the slippery slope.

If I stuck with that mindset; why would I paint the drywall in my home? Or why paint my car?

Hey your woman analogy reminded me of a quote from a smart old man -

He asked me once "Is it better to have a beautiful wife or an ugly one"
I said "Beautiful, why would anyone marry an ugly woman"
He shook his head in disappointment and said "Boy you have a lot to learn"
I immediately wanted him to explain.
Then he sited the famous quote "You'll spend everyday of the rest of your life worrying about someone taking your beautiful woman, but if you chose an ugly one she will be faithful to the end"

lol...Just a thought

 

[thegarageguy]

@71flh, if you are referring to "painting" a floor then I will agree with you. Just note, epoxy not paint and visa versa. It's like calling a fine wine grape juice. Some people may apply it like paint but It's a totally different chemistry. Epoxies chemically penetrate and bond to concrete. Paint does not. Epoxies can be formulated to be anti microbial, waterproofing and even anti static, paints cannot. Epoxies will preserve and beautiful concrete, which in time will stain and deteriorate if not treated properly, paints will not. We have done garage floors that look just as good 10 years later with minimal maintenance. It may not be for everyone but it works.

 

[Garage-Tech]

Couldn't have said it better ^^^

 

[toyotadriver]

OP....what kind of material did you use and where did you get it?

Looks good!

 

[Garage-Tech]

I used products from (Versatile Building Products) and (Color Chips)...VBP is company that I stumbled upon. I like their epoxy systems because of the application speed. The epoxy, the patch, and polyurea all came from them. The chips came from Color Chips.

I appreciate the compliments.

 

[johno]

What did you use to chase cracks with?
I see a grinder??
If that what blade?

 

[Garage-Tech]

I used a standard 4.5 inch grinder with a 3/8 diamond crack blade. The blade is from an ebay seller. They work great, really aggressive.

 

[johno]

I used a standard 4.5 inch grinder with a 3/8 diamond crack blade. The blade is from an ebay seller. They work great, really aggressive.

Thanks

 

[monteperformance]

How long did it take to grind off the old epoxy with that Edco machine? Was the dust created a big issue?

 

[Garage-Tech]

That TG-10 did my 440sqft garage in 1.5 hours. That was with plenty of breaks. It could easily handle 500sqft an hour. Its a monster though, it clears about 1/16-1/8 inch of concrete per pass. If you don't keep it moving it'll destroy a floor...Keep in mind most of the concrete here ranges from really soft-medium hardness...Dust is huge, commercial concrete vacuum is a must.