Hello Everyone! I am fairly new to GJ as I am in the process of building a brand new detached garage (26x28x14). I live in Minnesota so we see everything for weather, from -20F to 100+F and of course, ice melting chemicals. I'm looking for some expert advice/wisdom on what my BEST options are to protect my floor. I don't want to spend 5K (I was quoted that today for epoxy), I'm willing to do the work myself but I only want to do it once. I will have a 2 post lift and I have no floor drains. Thank you in advance. I really enjoy this site and all the awesome information it holds on all things garages!
I'm certain that you realize that the "BEST" options cost more but I'll tell you what I did.
I degreased my floor, used an acid etching liquid, primed it and then painted with a high quality concrete paint. I suppose it could have been clear-coated with something to protect it even more but I had too many projects going to take time for that.
It's been about 6 years since I did it and it has a spot or two that could use a coat of paint but overall it's still nice. I probably spent about $300 or so from what I remember but I did all the work myself. I didn't use any of the anti-slip in the paint and it's not a problem except for in the Winter walking in the door with a little snow on the soles of shoes.
P.S. I just remembered that the color paint costs more and they need 1 gallon cans of base coat to colorize so you spend a little more. You can buy 5 gallon buckets of Slate Grey if you want at no extra charge. That's what I did when I painted the walls out there.
