How should the concrete be finished?

[Subisti]

Hi I'm planning on getting some estimates to concrete my 30x40 garage. I'm planning on acid etching or cement staining and sealing. How should I ask the concrete to be finished for best case scenario? Would I still need to do additional steps before staining?
Thanks

 

[Armorpoxy]

Generally just a smooth hand trowel finish is good (not burnished). Take a look at our Ballistix sealer, MUCH better and more resistant than any other sealer currently available. Example below. Available in satin or gloss finish. Naturally nonskid and no etching or grinding needed.

 

[Cairo94507]

Tomorrow we actually have the first step in building our 1550 sq. ft. garage- they test drill some holes for the septic system. We plan on doing a 6" concrete 4000 PSI floor, polished to the level of a Costco floor. I wish we could do a nice epoxy floor instead, likely a lot cheaper.

I have yet to see an epoxy floor hold up to repeated use w/o discoloring, lifting, etc. I have an epoxy floor in my garage right now, we just bought this place 4 months ago and it was epoxied long ago. It looks horrible for the above reasons. Once the other garage is done, then I will address this large garage floor when I remodel the complete garage.

On a new floor, if we epoxy finished it then finished the garage, lift, cabinets, etc., to refinish a bad job is a major event. Just not worth the risk to me.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Polished concrete is a beautiful floor, but they are not resistant to oils, fluids, etc hence why they are not used in auto dealerships and such. Even stain guards applied they won't protect the floor from stains and chemicals. If you plan on doing automotive work on your floor then consider sealing the floor with Ballistix noted above since that is the only product we know about that will protect polished concrete.

Ballistix will not yellow, peel, or stain and will protect your new floor properly.

 

[Cairo94507]

Thanks for the info; I appreciate that.

 

[ConCretin]

If you are going to etch rather than grind, I would request a 'smooth troweled finish' but specify you don't want it 'burnt' or 'polished'. This should result in a power trowel finish that is dense and smooth but with a matte finish and no trowel marks.