New concrete floor. Options?

[bens]

I just had concrete poured in a barn (42x75). The concrete has a sealer on it. Is there anything I should put on it to protect it even more? I'd like something that will make it look better.

For whatever it's worth, part will be a workbench/shop area and the rest is to store and work on atv's and boats.

 

[bens]

After ready the many posts on this subject, my main question is can I do anything to a sealed floor besides the tiles?

Thanks everyone. Great forum.

 

[bmwpower]

Remove the sealer by grinding and coat the floor with epoxy.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Remove the sealer by grinding and coat the floor with epoxy.

The sealer will also remove by shot blasting. There are machines made just for this, someone on this board said they have rented them at their local rental place. Its not too messy, the machine recovers the shot, what escapes is later picked up by a rolling magnet.

In any case, you will need to wait awhile to allow the cement to cure. The moisture content can be measured using a meter designed for this. Depending on the thickness of the slab, plastic underneath, sealer on top, etc., it could take anywhere from two or three months to a year to cure to the point that it can be safely and properly painted or expoxied.

Charles

 

[Winmon]

I made the huge mistake of listening to someone tell me I "needed" to put sealer on right after my pour. If you want epoxy, you are going to spend ALOT of time grinding it off. It took me about 30 hours to remove (or at least as much as I could in 30 hours) the sealer off my 40x40 floor with a Edco grinder. And at $250 a day for the rental, it will also be expensive. I would have tried a Shot Blaster but no one in my area rented it. I can not EVEN imagine grinding sealer off a 42x75 floor!

 

[Rich1028]

ok,heres the dumb question??
whats wrong with just leaving it alone?.(sealer on the cement)
why do you need to put the epoxy on ??

 

[bmwpower]

ok,heres the dumb question??
whats wrong with just leaving it alone?.(sealer on the cement)
why do you need to put the epoxy on ??

Nothing is wrong with it, but the guy wants it to look better. Sealer makes plain concrete look good, but epoxy gives it the professional look. If anything, epoxy will brighten up the place since it naturally reflects light more so than a sealer would.

 

[HighOctane]

Or you could get out some Sandpaper. Just Joking hehe

 

[AspDotNetGuy]

I'd sand it. I guess im old school...

 

[bens]

Sanding sounds like a lot of work...
Thanks for the advice guys. As suggested, I think I will just leave it be. It looks fine, just not great.

 

[neblinc]

It can't hurt to check with your local paint stores to see if there is a paint product that would work. It won't be as tough as epoxy but may help with the looks.

Randy