Mid-West Garage Makeover

[Firering]

I finally started my floor project today. I've got a 3 car garage that I coated years ago with Behr 1 part epoxy paint. Held up well but wanted to do it right and go with a true 2 part epoxy but need to get the old paint off and smooth the concrete as it was pitted from me doing an aggressive etch when I did my original floor.

I rented an Edco 10" single disc grinder and glad I did. It's doing a great job of removing everything and I thought I was done but after a quick rinse, I still see the paint spots that I'll need to get stripped off tomorrow. I got a weekend rental for $50 and $90 for the 3 grinding pucks. I'll also need to come back and hit the corners/edges with my handheld grinder.

Hope to have everything finished on day 2 and will then order my ArmorUltra 3-part this week. I'll get some pics of my steps.

 

[Firering]

PIcs are coming next

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

We thought we were going to see pictures of your garage makeover journey.
Post some pics and get started.

Also...
Most of your questions have been answered a million times, do some searches and you will see what I am mean.

 

[Firering]

I edited my original post. Project underway now. Step1 Grinding off old paint and smoothing the concrete.

 

[Firering]

My ArmorUltra has been ordered. Will work on filling and smoothing out my control joints this week while my order is in route.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Thank you!

 

[Firering]

Spent most of my day edge grinding with a 4.5" Dewalt grinding disc. It did an amazing job leveling out my perimeter footer wall and stairs but I bought a dust shroud which turned out to be a waste of money. With fresh eyes and lungs this morning if found a few spots that need a quick touch and will rinse several times to get all the dust out. I'm filling my control joints with the Ardex feather finish today and am waiting for my Armor proxy order to arrive by next weekend.

 

[alberto]

Wow, three years later. Sounds just like I do projects!

 

[James-W]

It is looking pretty good so far. Keep up the good work.

 

[Firering]

I didn't fill the control joints yet but went ahead and but down some degreaser and rinsed several times.

After it dries, if I still have some dust, should I vacuum and rinse again or powerwash or what? Emptying the garage is getting old. Wish I had a storage container.

 

[Firering]

ArmorUltra Pallet arrived today. One step closer. How much coverage should I expect to get out of a gallon of mixed primer, epoxy and top coat?

 

[Armorpoxy]

Hi, coverage can widely based on surface texture and vary but we use as a guideline
Primer 250/gal
100% solids epoxy 125-200/gal
Topcoat 400-500/gal

Best to always call or email our office please for tech advice or questions as the GJ is not always monitored.

Thanks!

 

[Firering]

Mixed up my first batch of Ardex and started filling my control joints and hope to finish them tonight. I may have to run my handheld grinder across the seam just to ensure a smooth transition. How long should I let it cure before putting my primer down?

 

[Firering]

Finished smoothing out my control joints and hit my outside foundation footers with Densifier and let it dry. Mixed up my ArmorPoxy II primer and spread with squeegee and back rolled. Will put my epoxy coat (step 2) either late tonight or early morning. I've got to let each step cure but let me get my top coat down before my Labor Day weekend ends.

 

[Firering]

Today seemed much easier for some reason. I mixed my ArmorUltra Epoxy color coat and mixed 2qt part A and 1qt of B which covered 150 Sq ft and got it down in under 30 minutes. Did the same step for another 150 Sq ft. Just waiting for it to cure so I can it it tonight with my topcoat.

 

[Firering]

I was able to put my topcoat down last night. I only put about a 1/4 can of the UltraWear (FA) and keep mixing as I poured portions to my paint tray. Checked it this morning and it has dried well and will give it until next weekend before I move my 4 post lift and do the other half of my garage. I chose not to do a flake treatment and will need to get me a good mop.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Looks great!

 

[Firering]

It's been a lot of work but can't thank the team at ArmorPoxy enough for all the support and even responding to some questions over the weekend including Labor Day!!

One more tidbit for other DIY'ers contemplating this project is to purchase a respirator. Don't think you can tough it out. When I put my primer coat down with my garage doors closed I was getting a bit dizzy towards the end of my application and became a little scarry. Wearing the mask made the remaining steps much more pleasant.

 

[Firering]

Round 2- vacuum other half of garage and put down my ArmorPoxy II primer and let it cure overnight. The smell with this primer is strong. Don't do this without a respirator. This morning I inspected the floor and using a razor blade I removed some small bits of gravel than was picked up when rolling to my wall edges. No matter how much I vacuumed it still would find a way to get loose. I'll let this cure all day and it my topcoat late tonight if it's ready. I moved my lift after 5 days of curing and no marks could be seen. The finished floor cleans up so easy but having an all white floor and wall will keep me busy I'm sure. I highly recommend using The ArmorUltra Pallet system and the guys and ArmorPoxy have been easy and very helpful.

 

[peb]

Round 2- vacuum other half of garage and put down my ArmorPoxy II primer and let it cure overnight. The smell with this primer is strong. Don't do this without a respirator. This morning I inspected the floor and using a razor blade I removed some small bits of gravel than was picked up when rolling to my wall edges. No matter how much I vacuumed it still would find a way to get loose. I'll let this cure all day and it my topcoat late tonight if it's ready. I moved my lift after 5 days of curing and no marks could be seen. The finished floor cleans up so easy but having an all white floor and wall will keep me busy I'm sure. I highly recommend using The ArmorUltra Pallet system and the guys and ArmorPoxy have been easy and very helpful.

Hey, it looks good! And certainly all of us want to see pictures when everything is finalized. Thumbs up -- and keep on with the work!

peb

 

[Firering]

I was able to put my Military topcoat down last night and had better uniformity on the Ultrawear friction additive. After doing the steps the 2nd time around was much easier. I cut in my edges first without adding the FA and then added it and pour 1/4 of my topcoat at a time and rolled out in 7 X 7ft sections and then back rolled the entire area. I pre sanded my overlapping sections so the I'd get proper adhesion over the section done in the previous weekend. I can't see any color variance in the two sections. I strongly recommend that you check the surface between dried coats that you remove any large particles, dead bugs that get trapped in the curing surface so that your finish is smooth as possible. I still need to finish my vertical door I built and will likely put another coat of white gloss paint on the walls. I'm trying to get some good ideas for floor trim. I'm thinking of using a design dimpled sheet metal cut 6" high or doing a silver colored carbon fiber vinyl wrapped wood trim. Would love to hear some ideas.

 

[James-W]

Looking really good!

 

[Firering]

I wanted to share an idea that I have for those that have 4 post lifts. I wanted to get my post bases off the floor to prevent water from getting trapped between the base and my new epoxy coated floor. I don't want any rust stains. The folks at RaceDeck took very good care of me and was able to just buy 4 12" drain tiles and 16 beveled edges. Put it down tonight in just a few minutes.

 

[alberto]

I wanted to share an idea that I have for those that have 4 post lifts. I wanted to get my post bases off the floor to prevent water from getting trapped between the base and my new epoxy coated floor. I don't want any rust stains. The folks at RaceDeck took very good care of me and was able to just buy 4 12" drain tiles and 16 beveled edges. Put it down tonight in just a few minutes.

Great idea. Well done.

 

[Firering]

Just wanted to give an update on the floor and progress on my garage. I moved the lift this weekend and the spots below the bases are in great shape, no marks or staining. This floor is very easy to clean up with some soap and water. I've got one spot where I filled in the control joint that is splitting the epoxy but the crack isn't moving. It starts at the finished edge and comes inside the garage about 6 inches now. I'll have to upload a pic. After 1 1/2 yr since I put the epoxy down I have found a few spots that I must have missed with the final top coat as I have a slight yellow spot.

I ordered a set of NewAge Cabinets late last summer but go sidetracked with other projects but finally got them put up this weekend. I'm really pleased with the quality of the cabinets. They are heavy duty for sure. Now I just need to get organized on loading the cabinets and deciding what I want where. Not sure what I want to do for the backsplash.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Thanks for the update! Garage is looking mighty-fine!

 

[tlzkaasen]

Garage looks great and the cabinets look amazing!

 

[WILDHEMI]

WOW! very nice, love the cabinets......