I have been lurking and learning in the forum for almost 2 years. The time has come, the time is now. This blog will eventually be part of the www.guysthatknow.com website. Some of the writing reflects that as it might be read by some that are even more "newbie" than I.
Virtually all of what will happen in the coming days is a result of research on this site, various manufacturers found here also, and several other forum members PM. Thanks. By Saturday night the verdict will be in as to whether or not I can take all of this information and transform it into finished product. I found your write-ups and opinions extremely valuable. I weighed each one in determining what I would do. Hopefully my write-up can go into the knowledge base as an example of what to do, as opposed to the contrary.
It is worth noting that I am probably a bit OCD about this. I think that many of you are also. But here in the "Garage Journal Forum" in the Flooring thread, that is where that OCD shines and is helpful. If anyone outside this forum was to ask what I did, it would go something like, "I painted my garage floor over the weekend". End of story. For you all, there is a bit more that will happen. Buckle up.
In years past I painted my garage floor after doing an extensive prep and etch. I thought I was doing it correctly, but I wasn't. I've learned. I originally used Behr Garage Floor Epoxy paint. While it sounds like the right stuff, it is far from what it takes to do it correctly. It looked great until I started to walk on it, drive on, and actually use it. Within months, the spots under the tires had peeled. Admittedly it was cheaper, but in the long run it wasn't. The labor I put into it was exactly the same as had I done it correctly. I just can't advise that you do this process with a poor product, it is so much work, and then when it peels - and it will peel - it looks bad.
The right way is more expensive, but it is so much better I've waited almost two years in order to do it correctly, even if it costs more. (Don't worry, all the details are upcoming.)
My garage floor consists of 843 sq. ft of basically sound, very smooth, sealed concrete. There are some big expansion joints, some saw cuts, and some minor cracks. My goal is to fill and patch all of those imperfections, cracks, and joints so that when coated, the floor appears to be a seamless expanse of perfection. The fact that the concrete is very smooth and sealed creates a problem though. The epoxy needs to soak into the concrete (to some extent) just like water so that sealant needs to be removed. Also, the concrete should be the roughness of 100 grit sandpaper for good adhesion. Mine is very smooth, requiring me to "profile" it in order to rough it up and also to remove the sealant.
As I stated, this project has been in the works for many months, so several of the items discussed have a lot of background to them. Scheduling the application day(s) occurred over a month in advance. That amount of lead time is necessary to gather all the necessary supplies, rent equipment if necessary, and convince your neighbors and children to help.
Virtually all of what will happen in the coming days is a result of research on this site, various manufacturers found here also, and several other forum members PM. Thanks. By Saturday night the verdict will be in as to whether or not I can take all of this information and transform it into finished product. I found your write-ups and opinions extremely valuable. I weighed each one in determining what I would do. Hopefully my write-up can go into the knowledge base as an example of what to do, as opposed to the contrary.
It is worth noting that I am probably a bit OCD about this. I think that many of you are also. But here in the "Garage Journal Forum" in the Flooring thread, that is where that OCD shines and is helpful. If anyone outside this forum was to ask what I did, it would go something like, "I painted my garage floor over the weekend". End of story. For you all, there is a bit more that will happen. Buckle up.
In years past I painted my garage floor after doing an extensive prep and etch. I thought I was doing it correctly, but I wasn't. I've learned. I originally used Behr Garage Floor Epoxy paint. While it sounds like the right stuff, it is far from what it takes to do it correctly. It looked great until I started to walk on it, drive on, and actually use it. Within months, the spots under the tires had peeled. Admittedly it was cheaper, but in the long run it wasn't. The labor I put into it was exactly the same as had I done it correctly. I just can't advise that you do this process with a poor product, it is so much work, and then when it peels - and it will peel - it looks bad.
The right way is more expensive, but it is so much better I've waited almost two years in order to do it correctly, even if it costs more. (Don't worry, all the details are upcoming.)
My garage floor consists of 843 sq. ft of basically sound, very smooth, sealed concrete. There are some big expansion joints, some saw cuts, and some minor cracks. My goal is to fill and patch all of those imperfections, cracks, and joints so that when coated, the floor appears to be a seamless expanse of perfection. The fact that the concrete is very smooth and sealed creates a problem though. The epoxy needs to soak into the concrete (to some extent) just like water so that sealant needs to be removed. Also, the concrete should be the roughness of 100 grit sandpaper for good adhesion. Mine is very smooth, requiring me to "profile" it in order to rough it up and also to remove the sealant.
As I stated, this project has been in the works for many months, so several of the items discussed have a lot of background to them. Scheduling the application day(s) occurred over a month in advance. That amount of lead time is necessary to gather all the necessary supplies, rent equipment if necessary, and convince your neighbors and children to help.
