How messy is diamond grinding?

[Kebrock]

Current floor is 35 year old concrete and has a peeling gray paint. I'm wanting to epoxy and guessing diamond grinding is the only way to go. Either this or spend probaby double for Race deck. Garage is 22 x 22.

How dirty is prepping the surface for epoxy?

 

[Interex]

Very messy if you don't have the proper dust capturing equipment. You may consider using abrasive wheels to just take up the paint and then do an acid etch on the concrete. No mater what you decide, I would highly suggest you have the paint tested for lead before you proceed. Being 35 years old, there is a high possibility that it does.

 

[Kebrock]

I'm not for sure if the floor paint is original to the house...1974, but the possibility of lead is something I never thought of.

 

[56nash]

we rented and EDCO 10" turbo grinder, we had dust everywhere, in the house, outside, the yard, and my hair felt like dirt for a few days washing over and over. Don't so it without the correct dust collector meant for the application.

 

[pauls340]

Trust me, if you get a 7" DeWalt grinder and don't use a vacuum, in about 6.3 minutes you will not be able to see your hand in front of your face. A vacuum plus a couple of box fans should do the trick. Good Luck. ps, make sure you duct tape any door going into the house!

 

[chach]

I just used a 5" grinder on my 2 car garage about 3 weeks ago or so. It wasn't incredibly messy so long as the vacuum remained attached to the grinder and was still sucking. A good respirator and proper eye protection is a must and by that I mean the old-school goggles that you used to have to wear in chemistry class. The dust is so fine that if you just wear safety glasses the particles will still find their way into your eyes and cause irritation. You won't go blind, but you'll be needing to use a lot of visine. It would be very bad if the paint had lead in it as this would be an easy way for it to be introduced to your body.

I agree on sealing off any doors leading to the interior or at least don't open them until all dust has settled. Over all though, it's not as bad as I had initially expected. Unless the vacuum wasn't attached, then you're instantly covered in a cloud of dust and can't see more than a few inches in front of you.

 

[Jack Olsen]

One other thing: you do not want to breathe that stuff. At all.

 

[Kebrock]

Damn, this does not sound like fun at all.

 

[Interex]

Use bags for your shop vac. The regular filter will clog VERY quickly.

 

[chach]

Damn, this does not sound like fun at all.

Nah, it's a lot of fun. Just put on your earphones under your hearing protection and go to town.

Oh, and see if your Dr will give you a Rx for vicodin or stock up on some ibuprofen, cause you're gonna be sore.

 

[av1]

I'm in the process of finishing up a 700 sqft area of a basement garage. My floor is 15 yrs old with an unknown gray floor coating. I used an Edco grinder.
As others have said, use a respirator & safety glasses. Go to Home Depot & buy a couple packages of the fine filtration collection bags for your shop vac. Seal off adjoining areas to protect from any dust. Rent the grinder on a Friday afternoon so you'll get the weekend rate & have a couple of days to finish the project. It's messy but manageable with the proper equipment.

 

[east_tn_emc]

When grinding the floor, roughly what thickness of concrete is actually ground away? 1/32", 1/16", 1/8"? Always wondered.

 

[Kebrock]

Thanks for all the tips fellas. :cheers: