Painting concrete

[brihvac]

I would never assume when I could just ask.

The floor looks great. Nobody knows how much work it is unless they've done it also.

Dennis

It was not hard work but it was very time consuming. The garage addition was a pain because I had to scrub (with the deck brush) 4 times to de-grease it after 8 years of all the oil, trans fluid, etc that has been on it. I scrubbed it as many times as it took to get it from beading when water was put on it. I will say that I love Seal Krete Lockdown primer. It actually looks like you have a thick shiny clear coat on the floor once it dries. We will see how it does. If I get 8 years out of it like I did before I will be happy.

 

[Two Pump Chump]

From reading this I gather that an assessment of the slab concrete may be made by observing the reaction of water and it's beading or absorption. My 3 yo indoor slab ***** up water droplets on contact. I am re-evaluating the contractor's advice to acid etch it. I dont think its necessary if I do a very thorough cleaning and non-acid etch and rinse prior to stain and seal. Am I missing the big picture ?

 

[Armorpoxy]

Hi
We would strongly recommend etching as it puts microscopic pores in the surface lime and greatly enhances adhesion. Also use a primer which also makes a huge difference in even appearance and makes the epoxy thicker since it won’t absorb in a primed floor. all of our kits incluse a safe citrus acid etch.

If you don’t want to prep we carry our No Prep spray on primer which is an incredible primer for adhesion.

 

[FJ4FUN]

From reading this I gather that an assessment of the slab concrete may be made by observing the reaction of water and it's beading or absorption. My 3 yo indoor slab ***** up water droplets on contact. I am re-evaluating the contractor's advice to acid etch it. I dont think its necessary if I do a very thorough cleaning and non-acid etch and rinse prior to stain and seal. Am I missing the big picture ?

Because you are considering a "stain and seal" application the surface prep recommendations will differ slightly than if you were considering an polymer coating like epoxy. Your choice of surface prep will have more to do with your choice of "Satin" VS "Dye".

Shea at Allgaragefloors.com has some great articles relating to this:
A DIY guide to Acid Stained and Color Dyed garage floors

 

[Two Pump Chump]

Because you are considering a "stain and seal" application the surface prep recommendations will differ slightly than if you were considering an polymer coating like epoxy. Your choice of surface prep will have more to do with your choice of "Satin" VS "Dye".

Shea at Allgaragefloors.com has some great articles relating to this:
A DIY guide to Acid Stained and Color Dyed garage floors

FJ is that a typo ? Satin <> Stain ?

Exxcellent article BTW - thanks. I think I can do this myself. I was quoted $13/sf 4 years ago. Cough.