Pheonix custom garage floor coating?

[vetteb_96]

I've had 3 companies quote my garage floor for coating here in Michigan:

Home Dept - Rust-oleum $2.50 - 4.25/Sqft
Preimer garage - $4.25 (bad reviews on this site)
Phoenix - $4.50

So I'm not sure who to trust?

Pheonix claims their coating isnt a paint or expoxy??

This is from their site:
For a long lasting finish in both high gloss and faux granite - Not a Paint, and Not an Epoxy - we recommend a baked-on floor finish that is ten times more durable and quick to use. This patent pending system heats the glazes, fusing them to the surface for a high impact and super stain resistant finish for a "tough finish with an elegant look".
Stain resistant
Chemical resistant
Custom graphics
Thousands of colors
High impact

Looking for advice for quality product and installer?

 

[thegarageguy]

Do yourself a favor and see some finished jobs. Ask to preferably see jobs over a year old. Ask for references in your area and ask alot of questions to both the company and their existing clients.

 

[SC-Eric]

I have some input here. First, they are misleading you to build value in your mind about what their product is really worth.

I'm going to guess that if you do a bit of research that you are going to find out that they call it a coating instead of a paint... lol... What would you rather have... a coating or paint? * It's called... if you don't have a quality product you need a gimmick to mislead people!

Next, I'm also going to guess that while it's NOT an epoxy... it's a urethane... that they call a glaze... Again... it's STILL a polymer coating...

Last, I'm going to guess that their definition of 'baking' is what most flooring professionals would call 'force curing'. Basically, you heat the coating with either a torch or forced hot air. Some of our installers also heat our materials.

Now... for reference... Polyurethanes (either aliphatic or aromatic... all of them) do become stronger when they are force cured. That part is not a gimmick... except... how hot are they going to get it and for how long? Does the 'coating' contain either water or solvent? A urethane that is free from water or solvent will be stronger when force cured than one that contains solvent or water.

One advantage of aliphatic urethanes (not aromatic... only aliphatic) is that they have better UV resistance than epoxies in general. Epoxies can be hydrogenated to become aliphatic as well but they become very expensive.

So, my thoughts are that this company uses 'gimmick' marketing key words to give you the perception that this product is worth more than it really is. Also, I'm going to guess that the additional performance that is achieved from force curing is marginal compared to the same urethane that is not force cured.

I think that you have to consider how a company markets because it is an indication of how they will deal with you if you ever have a proablem. Flat out, they are trying to lead people to believe that their product is 'special' when all they have is a heated urethane (that might not even be aliphatic).

SO... after saying all of that... my advice is that you should not pay anymore for this product than any other polyurethane/urethane type product (as long as it is aliphatic). If it's NOT aliphatic (aromatic) then it is worth LESS! I wouldn't get caught up in the 'hype' of their marketing.

We don't have anyone in Michigan that would do a small residential job. So, unless you're going to decide to do it yourself (which it doesn't sound like you are even considering) I don't have a dog in this fight... EXCEPT... that when companies used deceptive marketing practices it hurts us all...

And, if it turns out I'm wrong about what they are selling (which is unlikely)... I'll take everything I said back!

 

[vetteb_96]

I was considering doing it myself but I wanted to find out the cost of a "professional". I have a few friends who have all tried but in all cases the coating pealed off. I was not part of their installation so I cannot vouch for their prep. Also, whether true or not I was told to stay away from the big box store do-it-yourself kits. Any advice would be apreciated.

 

[SC-Eric]

I'm happy to help even if you don't do it yourself. If you decide to do it yourself you can request information here:
http://wolverinecoatings.com/html/contacts.html

I'm not sure how big your garage is... but you can have a pretty fantastic floor for $4 a ft2. You are right to stay away from the 'big box' stores.

 

[nonhog]

I'm happy to help even if you don't do it yourself. If you decide to do it yourself you can request information here:
http://wolverinecoatings.com/html/contacts.html

I'm not sure how big your garage is... but you can have a pretty fantastic floor for $4 a ft2. You are right to stay away from the 'big box' stores.

O.K. not trying to make trouble or sound dumb but what is ft2. ? is that sq.ft. ? thanks

 

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

O.K. not trying to make trouble or sound dumb but what is ft2. ? is that sq.ft. ? thanks

YES. same thing.

 

[Jabberwalk]

surface prep is the key to good adhesion. Even if you decide to do it yourself, you can hire someone very inexpensively to do the prep with a diamond grinder. I personally am not a fan of acid etch or shotblasting. You can usually have someone prep for $.50-$1.00 / sq.ft.

The nice thing about someone else doing it (besides you not doing it) is the warranty.

 

[thegarageguy]

I was considering doing it myself but I wanted to find out the cost of a "professional". I have a few friends who have all tried but in all cases the coating pealed off. I was not part of their installation so I cannot vouch for their prep. Also, whether true or not I was told to stay away from the big box store do-it-yourself kits. Any advice would be apreciated.

again, do yourself a favor, see the companies prior work and get some references. expect to pay for quality and workmanship. remember, theres a reason mercedes and porsche cost more than a kia. btw, i sell ferrari!

 

[SC-Eric]

'thegarageguy'... Do you really sell Ferrari? Are you at a dealership whose showroom is done with our material?

 

[thegarageguy]

'thegarageguy'... Do you really sell Ferrari? Are you at a dealership whose showroom is done with our material?

I meant that my system and application is "Ferrari"! I'm sure you know I meant that. BTW, Do you have any pictures of any dealerships you have done? I'm surprised Ferrari would go epoxy.....I was told they go porcelin tiles, in and out. Matter of fact my freinds company did the one in NJ. Did Ferrari change their dealership policies?

This is my Ferrari

 

[SC-Eric]

I wasn't involved in the Ferrari specification/sales. I do remember seeing a shipment to Ferrari of Long Island a couple of months ago. BRIGHT RED!