new shop stain, seal, or do nothing

[tankwilson]

Hey guys finishing up my new 32x30 shop. Will b used as a fab shop. Welding, oil changes, car building and harley. I have old steel up on the walls and the whole shop has a vintage feel.

What should I do to my new concrete floor? Stain, seal, or nothing? It will see a lot of abuse.


Thanks
Matt Wilson

 

[TOOL MASTER]

paint

 

[Beaumont67]

Nothing, except if you paint a few cars in there, from time to time...the overspray on the floor, can look cool / vintage.

------------------------------------------------
Beaumont { :>)) www.petperfectexpress.com
1965 Malibu S/S, 1966 Beaumont Custom original paint, 1967 Beaumont Custom, 1967 Beaumont Custom original paint, 1967 Beaumont 396-350HP Sport Deluxe M21-411's - SOLD 1970 Judge

 

[Edger]

Use a concrete hardener/densifier preferably lithium based. It will repel most wet spills and make all clean up much easier. It will harden the floor to resist chipping and wear, look natural and cost way less than a coating. Best of all it is permanent and if you ever want to paint it later it will be easier to prep and grind.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Tank:

Give us a shout we have some choices for you.
Edger is correct on the densifier, good choice for some.

 

[tankwilson]

Thanks guys... Heres my deliema.

Do nothing and i will have oil stains
Sealer or Epoxy and will have to worry bout welding and recoating

Is there something that will seal it up well enough to wipe up oil and gas and look like nothing. Like a flat or semi gloss sealer?

What's the difference between a sealer and a densifier??

thanks
matt

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Your dilemma is everyone's dilemma.

Densifier is a penetrating product, will not even look like it's there.
Sealers are typically topical (on top).

We have a matte gloss sealer, used in retail quite a bit.
http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/epoxy-coating-hd015-1-gal-p-235.html

or we have a densifier with a waterproofing agent built in:
http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/densifier-and-waterproofer-1-gal-p-117.html

Densifiers will not keep the concrete from staining. However, over time a burnish will appear as a side effect of your foot and vehicle traffic. Later it will become a little more resistant to staining as this burnish occurs.

 

[vonhef]

Your dilemma is everyone's dilemma.

Densifier is a penetrating product, will not even look like it's there.
Sealers are typically topical (on top).

We have a matte gloss sealer, used in retail quite a bit.
http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/epoxy-coating-hd015-1-gal-p-235.html

or we have a densifier with a waterproofing agent built in:
http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/densifier-and-waterproofer-1-gal-p-117.html

Densifiers will not keep the concrete from staining. However, over time a burnish will appear as a side effect of your foot and vehicle traffic. Later it will become a little more resistant to staining as this burnish occurs.

I ordered 5 gallon of this densifier with water proofer a few weeks back. Will be applying within the next few weeks. I wanted something that was welder proof, so a topical application was not an option.
I really do like the look of a an epoxy floor... just wouldn't last in my shop.

 

[RTcat]

I ordered 5 gallon of this densifier with water proofer a few weeks back. Will be applying within the next few weeks. I wanted something that was welder proof, so a topical application was not an option.
I really do like the look of a an epoxy floor... just wouldn't last in my shop.

Please post pic's if possible after you apply! Any thoughts on what you expect to happen color-wise to the floor?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Densifier will not darken the floor much, if at all.

 

[Edger]

Thanks guys... Heres my deliema.

Do nothing and i will have oil stains
Sealer or Epoxy and will have to worry bout welding and recoating

Is there something that will seal it up well enough to wipe up oil and gas and look like nothing. Like a flat or semi gloss sealer?

What's the difference between a sealer and a densifier??

thanks
matt

Densifiers semi seal the surface so that it takes much longer for the oil to stain the concrete, also it is much easier to clean the oil off totally. There is no guarantee I know of to say it will not stain, ever. See http://www.situp.com.au/Concrete garage floor coating.html for explanations about different coatings and the link at the bottom to hardeners. This is general information only, but it gives you a good comparison.

 

[MDM]

What about doing an acid etch stain for looks, and then the sealer to protect? If that works, what sealer would be best? I wouldnt think it shouldnt cost too much more to acid stain it first, and it would give it a cool look. I am just not experienced in the process but im sure someone is.

 

[king nero]

If you don't do anything on the floor, won't you have enourmous amounts of dust continuously?
Will the densifier stop the concrete from giving dust? if it does, I'll bite and do the same to my garage...

I was giving a quote for polishing with quartz and cement after pouring... I don't know how that holds up after time, and about the dust problem...

 

[darkk]

You could always mix your own sealer. 50/50 Linseed oil and mineral spirits. It can be applied with a bug sprayer, it lasts for 2-3 years before recoating. We used it in the *old days* in our garages. Just need to make sure no fire or sparks for the day til it dries, but I suppose that would apply to just about most coatings. Cheap and effective. Unless there is something intrinsically wrong with this solution, that's where I'm headed.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Densifier will eliminate dusting.

It can be used after acid staining or you can choose a topical sealer.
Bass Pro Shops, Old Navy do this for store floors.
Bass Pro Shops uses "Sea Grass" acid stain color.

Here is a link to the sealer they use:
http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/epoxy-coating-hd015-1-gal-p-235.html

 

[srode]

Maybe you could epoxy most of it and leave one section without epoxy for welding and painting if you can hang a barrier to keep the paint in when spraying?

 

[tankwilson]

Scotty Your the expert.... what should i use?

Thanks
matt

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Tank, stick with one solution.
I like densifier for a real working mans garage, several to choose from.
Link: http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/concrete-densifier-c-22.html

If you want a good sealer with gloss go with our HD356voc, 2 coats.
You won't find a tougher sealer in a single component format. Excellent resistance against abrasion and common garage chemicals like gasoline.
Link: http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/hd356voc-urethane-sealer-1-gal-p-179.html


Of course, you can "densify" or "seal" your raw concrete or add some color with acid and non-acid stains beforehand. Link: http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/concrete-stains-dyes-color-c-27.html

We do have a stain sample kit to try...
http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/concrete-acid-stain-sample-kit-p-172.html

Good luck and feel free to call me if you need further advice.

 

[Edger]

If you don't do anything on the floor, won't you have enourmous amounts of dust continuously?
Will the densifier stop the concrete from giving dust? if it does, I'll bite and do the same to my garage...

I was giving a quote for polishing with quartz and cement after pouring... I don't know how that holds up after time, and about the dust problem...

Concrete hardeners were first used to stop dusting and they do a great job. Now there are many types available and they are called densifiers due to the polishing industry using them.

Highly recommended to stop dusting.

 

[tankwilson]

Thanks Scotty.

My garage is just under 1000 sq/ft. I will be ordering your densifier with waterproofing. How many gallon will i need and do you offer any type of online or "garage journal" discount.

Thanks
matt

 

[bazzateer]

Scotty, are your prioducts available in the UK?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Sorry Baz. We ship direct throughout the US, Canada and Mexico at this time.
We would love to make a relationship to establish distribution in the future.

 

[bazzateer]

Oh well, never mind.