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Managing a Rustoleum EpoxyShield project

bmwilkins

New member
Joined
Dec 30, 2007
Messages
1
I need advice from project veterans on managing putting down EpoxyShield Pro. I have a newish house (10 months) so the slab has had plenty of time to cure, and we never have parked anything in the garage or spilled anything.

However, it if filled with woodworking tools. Everything, the big jointer, table saw, drill press, etc., as wells as a large workbench are on wheels so they are easily moved around.

I want to do the full project – cleaning, etching (will probably use the Rustoleum etching solution and not muratic acid as many have), two coats plus flecks, and a coat or two of clear coat. The problem is, I don't have any reasonable solution for storing the woodworking equipment while I complete the project.

I would like to know, in my situation, realistically how long the project will take if I have some extended time off to take care of it. Some other questions:

1.) Is it conceivable after each stage (particularly the cleaning) to roll everything back in overnight, or does everything have to be off the floor?

2.) Once putting down a coat, how long do I need to wait before wheeling things back on (again, overnight).

3.) Another option is to do half the floor, then the other, but again, I would prefer to do this in stages (clean and etch the WHOLE floor, even if the tools have to spend one night outside, then one coat one side, on coat the other, the same with each subsequent coat). The question would be how quickly I could roll the tools onto the other side.

Important note: I have seams or expansion joints in the slab, so no convenient place for dividing the project. I might need to tape down the center so at least I would have a clean "edge" where to the two halves meet.

I would appreciate any experiences shared that might be similar to my own dilemma.
 
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boiler7904

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 4, 2006
Messages
3,414
Location
NW IN
Realistically, you need a full day to do the cleaning. The cleaning would be the only stage that it would be possible to move stuff back in overnight and that's only if they aren't going to be dropping sawdust all over the place. Let it dry for a few days or week if possible. Each coat needs a full 24 hours to set up. Let the clear set up for a couple of days before moving the equipment back in.

Once you start putting the coating on, each coat will be wet for a few hours with foot traffic allowed at 24 hours. Rolling things across the floor isn't suggested for a few days if I remember right - they only want light foot traffic on it the first couple of days.

Can you rent a POD or similar on-site storage container while you do the floor? It would be an unwelcome expense but it will make the process so much easier.

I did my floor over Labor Day weekend 2 years ago on a 6 month old slab after doing my prepwork the weekend before. The cleaning is the most time intensive part of the job. I want to say that I spent about 6 hours scraping, vacuuming, etching, rinsing, etc. one day. Actually putting the coating down took about an hour or so per coat in my two car garage with a helper cutting in the edges.

A little hint - you'll have very little open time with the clear. You will actually feel it setting up as you use the material. They don't lie about the 45 minute open time.
 
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WolverineCoatings

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
833
Location
Spartanburg, SC
My first advice would be to talk to Fred at AlphaGarage and ditch the Rustoleum... THEN... try to get in WOOD magazine with a quality Wolverine floor!!! :drool:

I'm almost sure that Wolverine Coatings would give a rebate to the person who gets in the WOOD magazine article mentioned in this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25602

If you decide to get going with Fred he will walk you through what you need!
 

bcubed

Active member
Joined
Mar 14, 2008
Messages
25
I just did mine .. not with Rustoleum, but Quikrete (similar) ... even if you plan it well, it will probably take longer than you think. I was luck and have a trailer, so all the tool boxes and some other things were wheeled in and locked up.

My worst situation was letting the floor dry out after cleaning ... it took alot longer than I had hoped, and the person above is right to give it at least a few days if not a week.

Painting took me about 5 hours, but it was only a single coat with the flecks thrown during ... I have to let it dry 72 hours and then I can clear coat, and then let dry and then I can put stuff and the vehicles back in . best of luck with your project.
 
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