New 30x50 shop, which coating?

[freedom561]

Getting ready to have a 30x50 slab pour done and looking for some recommendations for a floor coating. Been doing a bunch of research on here but feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of options that are available.
The shop will be used for everything from storage to mechanic work to welding to accidental harsh chemical spill, so I definitely want the floors to be tough. I really like the epoxy look with flake, but just not sure what system to go with. This will be all DIY as well.

Based on the above, would something like this be a good option for me? Or are there any other suggestions?

Polyurea Garage Floor Coating Kits

Explore our Polyurea garage floor coating kits. Enjoy a thicker system and vibrant flake colors for stunning garage floors.

www.garageflooringllc.com

Also since the pour hasn't been done yet, any suggestions on how I should request the finish of the slab?

Thanks in advance!

 

[P0234]

If you are doing a lot of work on the floor and are worried about looks, you will need to cover it and/or be really careful. Epoxy is more about looks and cleanliness than toughness. Don't get me wrong it can handle some abuse but it's far from indestructible. For me, abrasion is it's biggest weakness. Drag something across it with dirt under it and it will get scratched.

 

[freedom561]

Thanks @P0234 , would it make more sense to skip the epoxy and just seal the pad in with something like Ballistix? At the end of the day I just want the floors to look good while being able to take a beating. This seems to be a function over form situation.

 

[P0234]

Thanks @P0234 , would it make more sense to skip the epoxy and just seal the pad in with something like Ballistix? At the end of the day I just want the floors to look good while being able to take a beating. This seems to be a function over form situation.

I don't have any experience with Ballistix but I have a hard time believing any coating can survive dragging stuff around on it. If you do stuff that would scratch bare concrete, how can a thin coating be expected to hold up?

 

[helterskelter]

I used clear polyurea on my shop. I grew tired of epoxy staining and scratching (metal chips from machine tools end up on the floor around the machines). The colored products look great for about 12 months then looks rough in high traffic areas. The clear hides it pretty good and can be scuffed up and recoated and blend fairly well.

 

[Mike65]

I just sealed the concrete floor with a matte finish sealer to protect the floor from spills. I used Foundation Armor SX500000 w/matte finish.

 

[Notgrownup]

Clear sealer with an anti slip media. I acid etched mine and cleared it with a very light anti slip media and I’m very happy .. I weld, woodwork and work on my bike and it has been great. I did it myself, I didn’t do it for beauty, just protection. I bought all the stuff from Legacy industrial but it’s been 7-8 years now and I don’t remember what I used.

 

[shade]

Won't consider tile?

 

[Garage Flooring]

Getting ready to have a 30x50 slab pour done and looking for some recommendations for a floor coating. Been doing a bunch of research on here but feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of options that are available.
The shop will be used for everything from storage to mechanic work to welding to accidental harsh chemical spill, so I definitely want the floors to be tough. I really like the epoxy look with flake, but just not sure what system to go with. This will be all DIY as well.

Based on the above, would something like this be a good option for me? Or are there any other suggestions?

Polyurea Garage Floor Coating Kits

Explore our Polyurea garage floor coating kits. Enjoy a thicker system and vibrant flake colors for stunning garage floors.

www.garageflooringllc.com

Also since the pour hasn't been done yet, any suggestions on how I should request the finish of the slab?

Thanks in advance!

Good morning,

The polyurea system is outstanding. If you select it, I would suggest a two-coat or three-coat system. It is important to understand that all coating systems have limitations. Weld slag has the potential to damage any system. Harsh chemicals left on a floor long enough on any floor, depending on the chemical itself can cause damage.

 

[Armorpoxy]

A really nice and hundreds of GJ users is a single coat of our clear 1-part Polyurea SPGX. It rolls on like paint, shows almost zero issues, and gives outstanding performance at a great price. Armorgrip nonskid is usually added for protection.

 

[freedom561]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Based on my research I've narrowed it down to either SPGX (most likely clear) or GhostShield. Any thoughts on one over the other?

 

[Armorpoxy]

Hi, we will let members weigh in, but they are really two different systems. The Ghostshield since it penetrates may dust a bit and can be somewhat harder to keep clean, while the advantages of it is that it can't peel, and stands up perfectly to welding slag.

The SPGX is a 'topical' system like an epoxy (sits on the floor rather than in it) so easier to keep clean but more prone to damage from scratching from dragging sharp objects and such. That being said if needs touch up its very easy!

 

[911TES]

Related question: I was a charter pilot and the airplane hangars we used had a near glossy white finish. Didn’t seem too slippery and held up well. We always parked the jet’s tires on small pads.
Is that an epoxy coating? If I was careful would it be a good choice for car storage, light maintenance, wood working, metal working?
I like the idea of being able to easily find the small washers and nuts I often drop. I’m fine with cleaning it often.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Yes these are epoxy coatings. We have sold thousands of white floors over the years. But for a garage they can stain or discolor as many auto tires contain plasticizers which can stain white epoxy and also the daily in and out with tar and dirt can discolor it.

Aviation use is very light duty as far as wear is concerned as not going in and out daily with road **** on the tires since when the planes fly they are wheels up! This is why grays or fleck floors are used to hide this.

Use of an additional topcoat like Ballistix or Coval which we offer can greatly help to protect these garage floors.

 

[freedom561]

Hi, we will let members weigh in, but they are really two different systems. The Ghostshield since it penetrates may dust a bit and can be somewhat harder to keep clean, while the advantages of it is that it can't peel, and stands up perfectly to welding slag.

The SPGX is a 'topical' system like an epoxy (sits on the floor rather than in it) so easier to keep clean but more prone to damage from scratching from dragging sharp objects and such. That being said if needs touch up its very easy!

Good call on the touchup, i haven't really considered that but it is definitely a selling point.

With the SPGX can I get away with a single coat? so for 1500sqft I would need 5 gallons?

What finish should i have my concrete guy do for the best results?

Thanks!

 

[Armorpoxy]

5 gal should be fine unless you have very porous concrete. A standard trowel finish is fine.

 

[Ilikeike]

I wish I knew what they used in the Air Force hangers.
Obviously constant maintenance activities, chemicals and all kinds of heavy equipment rolling in and out along with heavy aircraft.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Our Armorultra 3 layer system is what we have sold and has been specified by the Air Force and Coast Guard for over 100 hangars worldwide.

 

[FJ4FUN]

For a floor that looks GREAT and will certainly take a "beating" consider our high-build, fused ceramic CFLC System. This is a two layer system utilizing a primer and body coat with no clear coat making future repairs or, if desired, recoating a breeze.

 

[P0234]

Yes these are epoxy coatings. We have sold thousands of white floors over the years. But for a garage they can stain or discolor as many auto tires contain plasticizers which can stain white epoxy and also the daily in and out with tar and dirt can discolor it.

Aviation use is very light duty as far as wear is concerned as not going in and out daily with road **** on the tires since when the planes fly they are wheels up! This is why grays or fleck floors are used to hide this.

Use of an additional topcoat like Ballistix or Coval which we offer can greatly help to protect these garage floors.

It's really refreshing to see vendors knowing the limitations of their products. So much better than our product is indestructible and then crickets when it fails to deliver.

 

[freedom561]

5 gal should be fine unless you have very porous concrete. A standard trowel finish is fine.

@Armorpoxy I have the slab poured but it will take 6 weeks or so for the metal building to be delivered. Do you see any issues with applying SPGX prior to the building being installed? Not sure if being in direct UV for a few day would hurt it. Would be nice and easy to apply a coating without a building on the slab yet.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Definitely do the slab last, the contractors can damage the floor.

 

[Garage Flooring]

@Armorpoxy I have the slab poured but it will take 6 weeks or so for the metal building to be delivered. Do you see any issues with applying SPGX prior to the building being installed? Not sure if being in direct UV for a few day would hurt it. Would be nice and easy to apply a coating without a building on the slab yet.

Protect your slab and and do not coat it until the building is up and work done. I use ram board to protect a dried-in structure floor

 

[freedom561]

After a bit of back and forth and speaking with Armor Poxy I decided to go with Ballisix SC instead of SPGX.
@Armorpoxy would you mind confirming these are the correct steps for installation? I can't seam to find any exact step by step instructions online:
1. Pressure wash/degrease clean all surface areas, let dry
2. Clean surface with Isopropyl Alcohol
3. Roll on BALLISTISEAL, let dry over 24 hours?
4. Spray on SC at minimum 2.5 feet in circular motion (just to confirm i can spray only without passing a mop over it, correct?)

Lastly, are there any objections to spraying SC onto my driveway? The shop is 1500sqft covered so I was planning to use the remaining product to protect the concrete in front of the shop itself that is exposed to direct sunlight.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Armorpoxy]

Hi
Would you kindly resend this inquiry to [email protected] so the office can offer indivudual support as we are not able to offer project-specific support on GJ due the inability to track the back and forth since we don't have an email address. Many thanks!