How did you prep. floor for VCT tile?

[dforeid]

New to the forum... I like it. I live in Washington State and from what I can tell, folks from all over have had success with VCT tile. My garage is about 13 years old and currently has the "stock" concrete floor.

1). What process did you use to prep the concrete for your VCT tile?

2). Also, how long has your tile been installed? Would you do it again, or would go with another product?

All help appreciated.........

 

[joecaver]

I had one oil spot that was about 1 foot in diameter that I cleaned using Simple Green and a stiff brush. Then I used a Zep product to clean the entire floor, twice. I think the name was Zep Sidewalk and Driveway Cleaner or something real close to that name. I bought it at Home Depot and followed the directions on the bottle. I did the installation in June and I'm happy with it. I would do it again and would not change the way I did it.

 

[dforeid]

Cool, thanks for the info. I'm leaning towards the VCT as I have a very large area to do and any other solution is almost cost prohibitive!

 

[SteveB]

I did the muriatic acid and rinse, rinse, rinse prep. Keep your boxes of tiles (open) in the sunshine right up to application, much easier to cut and also to lay down. If its a windy day you may need to take precautions regarding little bits of stuff attaching themselves to your adhesive during the install process.
I tried to keep the driveway as clean as possible, used a leaf blower, wetted it down and kept most doors closed. Still, a few days later tiny bumps could be seen from junk that got trapped beneath the VCT. Its not major and I don't suspect that it will cause me any grief down the road but under certain lighting conditions you can spot these imperfections.

Rent a roller and make liberal use of it after your tiles are laid.

 

[SteveB]

I did mine in early July and am pleased with the results and total cost.

Mine is a play garage as opposed to a working man's garage. I have no heavy machinery, welding equipment and doubt that any serious "mechanicing" will take place (I wouldn't have a clue how to do it).

I did notice that my 2 ton jack left indentations on the VCT (now have some thin plates to slip under the metal wheels) and my creeper created tracks (since removed with scrubbing).

 

[dforeid]

All good info.... thanks guys - keep 'em coming!

 

[carguy123]

What is this VCT tile? The one pic I saw looked like linoleum squares.

My slab has been poured and walls begin next week so I am very interested.

 

[RavinJetta]

What is this VCT tile? The one pic I saw looked like linoleum squares.

My slab has been poured and walls begin next week so I am very interested.

Vinyl Composite Tile. Pretty much Vinyl square which you glue down with an adhesive.

 

[Winding Road]

Vinyl Composite Tile. Pretty much Vinyl square which you glue down with an adhesive.

Just to clarify, VCT are NOT the self-adhesive tiles. I went to Home Depot and Lowes, and both types of tiles are sold there. The self-adhesive tiles are thinner and there's no way that glue on the back side will stay for long. The VCTs have no adhesive, you have to apply the glue yourself. Curiously, the VCTs I looked at have the same finish on both surfaces! Don't know what to make of that.

 

[Itzkwik]

Curiously, the VCTs I looked at have the same finish on both surfaces! Don't know what to make of that.

On VCT tiles, the color goes all the way through the tile. If you chip off a piece, the color is the same underneath. You may be thinking of the vinyl sheet floor covering where the pattern is printed or applied only to the surface of the material.

 

[MikeN]

Semi off topic.....

Do any of you guys that did VCT also have a garage floor recess, and if so, how did you deal with it?

In the garages here (mine included) the area where you park the cars is the lowest spot of the garage, then there is about a 2-3" lip (raised area) which is the area up to the walls, etc. In my case, that is where most of my shop benches, sink, storage, etc is.

Just not sure how I can finish my floor with VCT and have it look right.

 

[Winding Road]

On VCT tiles, the color goes all the way through the tile. If you chip off a piece, the color is the same underneath. You may be thinking of the vinyl sheet floor covering where the pattern is printed or applied only to the surface of the material.

Thanks! That explains it.

 

[David Hawkins]

Does anyone with a VCT floor have an unheated garage that suffers through the winter? Armstrong's website states that the VCT shouldn't be applied in areas that get below 55F...it gets a lot below that here some winters.