To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Light duty basement storage

tigerxj

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
210
Location
Clemson, SC God's Country
I am nearing the point on my basement shop where I can get all the shop tools out of my storage area, which is adjacent.

This is a basement in upstate SC, I'm pretty confident we don't have water issues...new construction, poured concrete walls, we got about 8" of rain in a 5 day period around first of October when Columbia and Charleston had all the bad flooding, we had 5" of rain last week, not a drop in the basement. I do have a dehumidifier down there and it keeps it as low as I want it. that said I will do the plastic sheet test before I decide what to do.

This is a light duty storage area, mainly a shelving unit, boxes, tubs. At most it may become home gym area, but it will get a rubber floor or similar if we go that route.

For now I want an economical option to put down on the floor to try to lighten it up a little and to help keep dust down. Honestly I'm not really worried about beating it up because we won't be in there much. So I am looking at painting options, but I have no idea where to start. This is new concrete in excellent shape, so I don't know if I even need to grind it. It will not be exposed to fluids or solvents, no grinding or welding, literally just storage at this point.

So my needs at this point:
1. cheap
2. fast
3. good

I know, pick two of the above. I'm planning to do this myself, I'm not afraid of the work, and I can rent a quality grinder from sunbelt in the next town over, but prefer not to if I dont have to. would like something with some chips, they look nice for sure. A light gray or light tan, something to brighten it up a little.

I will get pictures this evening. space is about 250 sq feet
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Showkey

"MEMBER EMERITUS"
Joined
Aug 9, 2014
Messages
8,638
Location
Wausau WI
There are almost endless products that might work.

I have had good results with both concrete stain like the kind sold at Home Depot and acrylic paint like this stuff shown below sold at Menards. When I do the concrete walls I always choose a water blocking paint no matter what is going over the walls after. Dry wet or unknown I always seal the walls you can not go wrong over the long haul. All the product usually née two coats.

image_zpshrphdbwh.jpeg
[/URL][/IMG]


Both qualify on the low cost and good results.
 
Last edited:

DC73

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2014
Messages
1,627
Location
Lubbock TX
Check out Rust Bullet. There are plenty of threads on this forum. I used it for my new workshop and couldn't be more pleased. Easy to put down and no grinding.

The only issue you might have is the smell while it cures. It cures fairly quickly but you'll want to find a way to ventilate the basement while putting it down.

DC
 

Garage Flooring

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
May 21, 2011
Messages
5,288
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Check out Rust Bullet. There are plenty of threads on this forum. I used it for my new workshop and couldn't be more pleased. Easy to put down and no grinding.

The only issue you might have is the smell while it cures. It cures fairly quickly but you'll want to find a way to ventilate the basement while putting it down.

DC

That would work or even the Breathable sealer I just posted about. 2 gallons of that and you would be set... Maybe even a gallon depending on desired finish.
 

Armorpoxy

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
3,735
Location
NJ
A single coat of our SPGX would be great for this, runs about 35 cents/ sq ft with GJ discount.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
T

tigerxj

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
210
Location
Clemson, SC God's Country
thanks for the options.

would I fill the saw cuts before paint? Do they need grinding, or can I just sand the cracks and then etch the floor? Do I need to grind the floor - I know this depends on which product I choose to an extent, But I'd love to avoid grinding if I can!
 
OP
T

tigerxj

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
210
Location
Clemson, SC God's Country
Turns out I have 540sqft of shop and storage space I want to cover, 10% safety margin brings me to 600sqft.

I have a few questions about the expansion joints around the edges concrete patching. There are a few areas that are a little rough. I'm not too concerned because again, it's a storage area. The shop floor is in pretty good shape but there is some paint splatter from doing the walls.

What do I do about this fiber board?
31582e1b4a45c060a91985251c1b0a7f.jpg


And in a couple of the corners the gap is pretty big
1cefb171383910074d87cca5f11288ce.jpg


I've read a little about material to basically patch over them, but my question is 1. Do you so that before or after you put down your covering, most likely epoxy? And 2. Since epoxy is non-flexible, how does it handle these joints with temp changes?

I've been doing a good bit of reading today on All Garage Floors, and I think I've accepted doing a primer, epoxy, and then a clear polyurethane top coat. Probably a little heavier duty than I need but for the cost it seems other stuff that is lighter duty costs roughly the same.


Sent using tapatalk
 

Armorpoxy

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
3,735
Location
NJ
Make sure to test for moisture with the plastic sheet method before you pull the trigger. Moisture is often very prevalent in basements, especially on the East Coast, and if too high, can cause a failure of any traditional coating.
 
OP
T

tigerxj

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
210
Location
Clemson, SC God's Country
Make sure to test for moisture with the plastic sheet method before you pull the trigger. Moisture is often very prevalent in basements, especially on the East Coast, and if too high, can cause a failure of any traditional coating.

I plan to. I'm not too worried but will check it out. I'm leaning towards your armorclad but I'll give the sgpx a look. how do I enter the GJ discount..is it on your shopping cart.

Any thoughts on the expansion joint around the perimeter or the saw cut contraction joints?
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom