Need Concrete Education

[KIX]

My shop/garage is 3 bay attached. The floors were poured originally as a carport floor and later enclosed. So the concrete has a light broom finish. Two of the bays have been used for various projects resulting in some oil spills and some stains of unknown origin. The third bay is pretty much clean. I use the bays for car parking and as a project area. I just want a floor that is easy to sweep and will look okay in a garage. Nothing fancy. And a finish that I can wipe clean when something is spilled. I really can't afford an epoxy type coating.
A local paint supplier suggested that I simply apply Benjamin Moore Final Finish Clear Sealer after a thorough cleaning of the floor.
I'm looking for some experienced suggestions and I will appreciate any advice. Thanks, Kix

 

[bobscogin]

Re: Need Concrete Educatoin

My experience with broom finishes is that they'e difficult to sweep dirt off of no matter what they're coated with. I know this isn't any help but I really can't think of a coating that would solve that problem.

Bob

 

[dcs Inc]

You will need some grinding. It can be brought up to a 400 grit which is pretty tight. Color, densifier and then either a penetrating sealer or a topical applied.

Your local supplier is a salesman trying to sell you product. A solvent or water based acrylic sealer wont cure the texture on the concrete. Use a supplier that deals with concrete products and not paint. Paint companies are trying to get into the flooring market by private labeling products and have no idea on what they are pushing.

Here's something else to think about. This slab was originally placed as an exterior slab. It is safe to say they didn't install a vapor barrier under it so a non breathing sealant may/will fail. That is why I suggested a polishing. An acrylic sealant is breathable (if applied correctly). it will be subjected to burns though. Epoxy will trap moisture and bubble on you and will fail if subjected to hot slag as will acrylic sealers.

gene dean
www.elitecrete.com
[email protected]

 

[bajones238]

It is also possible to install a self-leveling compound such as Ardex K-301, which will provide a surface like glass. It can be feathered if necessary. However, it is expensive.

 

[thegarageguy]

The broom finish will get knocked out when it's diamond grinded, so no need for Ardex, you'd be back to square 1.

I agree with DCS Inc, most likely there isn't a vapor barrier, so yes, you can get a guy to polish it for you but it will not hold up to staining, regardless of what anyone says.

Or you can get a waterproofed flooring system by either having a qualified contractor apply a negative side vapor barrier or a urethane concrete system with an epoxy chip, quartz or flint shot texture with polyurethane, polyaspartic or urethane concrete finish.

 

[KIX]

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like it may be expensive to get a floor finish that meets my desires. I especially appreciate the info regarding the vapor barrier, or in my case, the probable lack of it.
Does anyone know of a knowledgeable concrete person in the Northeast Florida (St. Augustine) area that may be able to do the work I need?
Kix

 

[KIX]

If getting the existing concrete to a point is going to be expensive is there another alternative such as tile or something else? Thanks Kix

 

[dcs Inc]

Email [email protected] They have installers in your area and you can go over the different processes. Just say in your email your area and want an estimate. It will be forwarded to the distributor near you and he will either contact you or have a contractor give you a call. Tell them gene dean sent you. gene