Need some advice (first post)

[ctribble]

All,

I recently completed building my garage (30x42) and it's time to install the epoxy flooring. I bought the Epoxy shield from Home Depot and asked for their advice along with YouTube videos, and everything I am learning really emphasizes floor preparation as being very very important. So I have really scrubbed and washed (using a hose and elbow grease) and nothing seems to get rid of the concrete dust. I have tried twice now and nothing seems to really work? I have not tried the acid solution that came with the epoxy as I thought this is for after you get rid of most of the dust? Should I go ahead and try this? ?? I have not tried to power wash the floor. Should I try to power wash and then try the acid?

Lastly - I have read different views of how many coats to put on. The manufacturer states one coat but the articles or videos I see online, they apply two coats? If two coats is a better application, does that mean I will need to buy another two boxes of the epoxy (one box does approx. 500 sq ft, and I have a 1260 sq ft garage).

As you can see I need help!!

Thanks
CT

 

[shaun oriold1]

Please! Please! Please! spend a few hours searching, and reading others experiences. Especially on prep. IT will answer all your questions on prep, material, quantity.

 

[ddawg16]

That is how I found GJ. I was researching floors.

After reading the stories. No floor epoxy for me. At least, not now.

It can wait.

 

[CNGsaves]

Welcome to GJ.

+1 to research prior epoxy floor installs by using GJ Advanced Search up in the black line at top of website (click on Search first). If you need to drill in deeper within GJ, you can use Google.

EXAMPLE:
> > > > > > Google > > > > > epoxy floor site:garagejournal.com

Also, Update GJ Profile with City/State/Country to get best local advice that may be dependent on your specific weather conditions.

 

[mnavillus]

If your going to install what I'm assuming is some type of "garage floor kit" be sure you fully understand the quality of product you purchased? the application process? and recommended surface preparations?.

FYI: Did I mentioned how important the surface preparations are to the product performing. Do you have excess (rental shop) to a surface preparation machine?

If you have detailed questions...you can post them here or contact me directly?

good luck

 

[EpoxyCoat2]

You need to diamond grind to remove a very thin layer of your floor. If you coat with the dust still on the concrete, it will not allow the coating to bond.
You may also have a moisture issue. Have you performed a moisture test?

 

[Garage Flooring]

All,

I recently completed building my garage (30x42) and it's time to install the epoxy flooring. I bought the Epoxy shield from Home Depot and asked for their advice along with YouTube videos, and everything I am learning really emphasizes floor preparation as being very very important. So I have really scrubbed and washed (using a hose and elbow grease) and nothing seems to get rid of the concrete dust. I have tried twice now and nothing seems to really work? I have not tried the acid solution that came with the epoxy as I thought this is for after you get rid of most of the dust? Should I go ahead and try this? ?? I have not tried to power wash the floor. Should I try to power wash and then try the acid?

Lastly - I have read different views of how many coats to put on. The manufacturer states one coat but the articles or videos I see online, they apply two coats? If two coats is a better application, does that mean I will need to buy another two boxes of the epoxy (one box does approx. 500 sq ft, and I have a 1260 sq ft garage).

As you can see I need help!!

Thanks
CT

• Grind your floor per @epoxycoat suggestion
• Understand that you are going to end up with a 2-3 Mil DFT
• In that is the product you are going to use, use their clear coat.
• Read their instructions carefully

http://www.rustoleum.com/~/media/Di...ts/Epoxyshield_garage_floor_instructions.ashx

 

[ctribble]

Thanks for the replies….but after reading a lot of articles, threads, etc. I've decided to go with the acid stain and sealer application.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Excellent choice! Do your homework for this application as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ctribble]

O.k. so looking at colors for the acid stain, I don't see grey being an option. So what are my options for going with grey. Does anybody have any suggestions for keeping the grey look? Do I not need to put an acid stain down and JUST use a sealer? If you google acid stain colors and click "images" there are grey images of flooring with acid stain in grey but how did they accomplish this?

 

[Shea]

Your right, you won't see grey as an option. Acid stains are only available in organic colors. What you most likely saw were acetone dyed floors, not acid stained floors. They are available in many more colors. Acetone dyes are a bit more vibrant and solid versus marbled and mottled with acid stain.

An epoxy clear coat on natural concrete looks nice as well and tends to highlight the irregularities of the concrete. Take a look at this one here from the GJ moderator:

http://www.garagejournal.com/2014/08/atomic-shop-update-floors-are-done/#more-2016