Looking to brighten things up

[CraigNB]

As I have mentioned in previous threads, I have a part time auto detailing business that I operate out of my detached 24x24 garage with 10ft ceilings. It has white OSB walls, a floor drain with a sloped floor (drains very well, water NEVER gets close to the walls), and 4 overhead lights at 7200 lumens each.

I am looking to clean and brighten the floor and make it easier to keep clean. I am going to be offering high end services so I want my customers to feel like they are walking into a high quality shop. I rarely pressure wash inside and I use rinseless washing. However, I would want something that would hold up to cleaning chemicals and would be easy to clean afterwards if I needed to do everything inside (carefully) in inclement weather. I love the look of epoxy but I think there is too much moisture in the slab for it to last.

What does everyone recommend? Deep clean with muriatic acid then seal? I would prefer something high gloss for the "wow factor" that won't be too slippery.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Shiftless]

Porcelain tile.
Buy some that has some texture rather than smooth. I put tile in our hall bathroom that looks like granite. Lots of compliments and not at all slippery when wet.

 

[JakeKohl]

Porcelain tile is a "forever floor". Select a through-body tile (no glaze on top - color is through and through) and something with an outdoor traction rating. Install with backbuttering and shoot for 95% thinset under the tiles (very little air gaps!).

 

[foodie]

Agree 100% with all of the above suggestions!

 

[Garage Flooring]

As I have mentioned in previous threads, I have a part time auto detailing business that I operate out of my detached 24x24 garage with 10ft ceilings. It has white OSB walls, a floor drain with a sloped floor (drains very well, water NEVER gets close to the walls), and 4 overhead lights at 7200 lumens each.

I am looking to clean and brighten the floor and make it easier to keep clean. I am going to be offering high end services so I want my customers to feel like they are walking into a high quality shop. I rarely pressure wash inside and I use rinseless washing. However, I would want something that would hold up to cleaning chemicals and would be easy to clean afterwards if I needed to do everything inside (carefully) in inclement weather. I love the look of epoxy but I think there is too much moisture in the slab for it to last.

What does everyone recommend? Deep clean with muriatic acid then seal? I would prefer something high gloss for the "wow factor" that won't be too slippery.

Thanks in advance!

Two coats of clear polyurea creates a very cool look.

 

[CraigNB]

Two coats of clear polyurea creates a very cool look.

Would ployurea last on a detached slab? I always heard/read that if there is moisture in the concrete it won't last. I LOVE the look of that stuff though!

 

[Garage Flooring]

Would polyurea last on a detached slab? I always heard/read that if there is moisture in the concrete it won't last. I LOVE the look of that stuff though!

A coating would not be suggested if you have hydrostatic pressure but our Polyurea products are used in detached garages all the time.

 

[MJK]

Outdoor rated (non-slip) PEI 4 or 5 (durability rating) porcilain tile, and install it with a lip going up the side walls. You can pressure wash to to your hearts content and not hurt a thing.

I found clearance and 'special buy' deals from Floor and Decor to be the best place to get them. I think I paid about $1/sqft from the web store, which they delivered to my local store for free. Don't forget to budget for proper prep and install which are not cheap.

Cheap epoxy a la Home Depot is false economy and a PAIN to get rid of. IMO, don't do do that.

Polished and sealed concrete seems worth checking out in your shoes, as do those plastic snap in overlays. I have no personal experience with either.

Good luck.