New Garage Floor Prep

[Kevin C]

I have the epoxy kits and it looks like the weather is close to cooperating.

When I had the floor poured I told the contractor that I was planning on using an Epoxy coating. He commented that he would not finish it quite so finely, so as to leave a bit more open texture for better adhesion.

So one option would be to power wash, etch and put the epoxy down.

That said, their are a couple of very light trowel marks and since I'm not planning on using chips I though that some further surface prep may help.

For a couple of dollars I can rent a buffer and an attachment that allows me to use giant 80 grit sanding disks. I was planning on spending a couple of hours or so and sanding the entire floor before I acid etch it.

http://www.homedepotrents.com/proTools/floor_maintainer.asp?cm_sp=tool_rental-_-left_nav-_-floor_maintainer

I dont think I want to or need to go as far as a full diamond grind....

Next question: In the process of framing the place, I dropped my hammer a couple of times. Small chips, not too bad. Should I fill them or will the epoxy-coat be enough to minimize the defects?

Final question: My contractor troweled grooves in the pad and then saw cut them a bit deeper for crack control. They look good but I'm not sure if I should caulk them or not. If I leave them open do I detail them in with a paint brush? I dont think it would be good to have them end up partially filled with epoxy.

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Kevin:
You are investing too much faith into a coating. It will not fill voids.
You need to pre-fill and level any depressions on the floor prior to coating.
If you want a seamless floor, pre-fill your cuts as well. Otherwise caulk them afterwards.

Follow the manufacturers instructions on prep.

 

[casterio]

You all have discussed very well on the topic. I am glad to find this forum. Really very helpful. Looking forward to more information. Thanks

 

[Kevin C]

Kevin:
You are investing too much faith into a coating. It will not fill voids.
You need to pre-fill and level any depressions on the floor prior to coating.
If you want a seamless floor, pre-fill your cuts as well. Otherwise caulk them afterwards.

Follow the manufacturers instructions on prep.

I dont have a feel for how the coatings go down, Hence the questions before I start the job...

What is typicly used to fill a small chip?

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Kevin:

Everyone has a formula for this.
We suggest that you apply an epoxy based gel crack filler in any divots, cracks, small holes. Dry overnight and grind smooth the next day.

If you are pressed for time you can use some body-filler.

 

[Garage Flooring]

It can't be said enough. The best epoxy is only as good as what your putting it on. If you have a cracked cement floor with big chips before you epoxy, your just going to have better looking cracks and chips when your done. Legacy Industrial is correct, take your time, do it right.

Your going to spend a lot of time on this floor. A few shortcuts are going to be what you notice at the end, so don't take them