Long time reader- First time EPOXY- a few questions ( Pics included )

[corcoran_chris]

Hey guys I plan on doing a 2 part epoxy while still keeping on a budget ( I have yet to decide on a brand...im in Canada so my options are slim )

I have a few questions and im turning to the experts here to help me out ! Right now im in the preparation stage and im not rushing the job at all.

My floor seems to have a rough brush finish - which I hear is best for adhesion but due to my elevation my garage is surrounded by about 1.5 feet of bare concrete foundation. As you can see it is VERY VERY VERY porous

1) Can I just paint over this after cleaning with a 3/8 nap roller followed by a bush to fill in the holes? sure the end result will show the imperfections in the cement but I really don't want to get into smoothing out all the walls.

2) I want to do 2 coats of epoxy without chips. Then as a final topcoat clear I was thinking can I just mix the chips into the batch of clear and roll on? this way I would have uniform chip spread on the walls as well?

what advice can you guys give me to do with the walls? and my chip delema?

thanks !

 

[srode]

Don't know if you will be able to keep the chips suspended and they may soften / melt into the mix. I wouldn't do it like that, but I'm no expert either.

 

[waynefish]

Hi Chris, I'm from Canada as well. I ended up picking up some epoxy-coat at a Lowes near Buffalo during one of my cross border shopping trips. It was about $200 bucks. It might be an option if you're near the border. Just make sure they carry the product first.

As for your chips in the clear idea, I'm thinking you might have issues with the chips sinking or clumping together. You might try to parge your walls instead. I'm thinking of doing that as well as I have an exposed foundation similar to yours.

 

[gatchel]

It's much better to throw the chips up high in the air as the installation directions typically suggest. It actually works really well and the higher you throw them the better they disperse.

 

[Edger]

Hi Chris,

You can paint the surrounding concrete as you suggested, it will be OK. What about temperature? Most epoxies fail to cure if the temperature of the concrete is below 9 degrees Centigrade (48F) from experience. Check with the manufacturers of the product you buy and check your slab/air temp. I do not know how warm it gets where you are in summer.

 

[corcoran_chris]

Well today it is 31 without the humidity factored in so my igloo is melting at quite a rapid rate

thanks for all the suggestions, how do you recommend that paint and apply chips to the vertical walls?

also how long until I can apply the chips? I mean it will take some time to do all the walls and then the floor. Wont the walls or floor be dry by the time im done before spreading the chips?

 

[regguy1]

Don't put the chips in the clear. Toss a small amout up and let them fall like snow into the second coat of epoxy, you can sprinkle some after to fill in light coverage spots.

My garage has poured concrete curbs for the stem walls, I was concerned about using to much epoxy on them as they are VERY rough. I chose to use flat paint on them and it looks good and hides the roughness. In my case it matches the trim color. If you have a Sam's Club you can order online this stuff I used, Supercoat a decent product at low cost:

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=138905&variance=Cobalt+Blue

My floor installation thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66867

See what you think from the photos:

 

[Candoo]

I have the same "curb" as you. All I did was buy some concrete paint at Home depot and put on two coats after the floor was done. Painted right over all holes and bumps. I used a different shade of grey from my floors and the curb looks excellent and accents the garage nicely.

 

[csp]

I had a paint mixed to approximate the base color of the epoxy and painted my stem wall.