Preping floor before epoxy

[Bronco Guy]

We are buying a house and I am finally getting the garage I have always wanted, 30' X 32' with bathroom, walk up storage and more. So I want to get it 100% How I want it before I move in so I want to put white washable paneling on the walls and Epoxy the floor but I am going to have to strip the sealer off of the floor so I am wondering if one of the large floor sanders would work to strip it? I cam rent one fairly cheap for a weekend.
I have seen other tools to buy on one of the websites that sell the epoxy for the floor. I read about them in one of the posts here, but as much as I like tools I think it would be foolish to buy a tool I am only going to use once.
Anyone have any input?

 

[PRO.OUTLAW]

I cant speak for anyone else, but I just did my floors and tried using a sanding machine with a disk, but quickly realized it was going to take much longer than I thought. I went to Home Depot and used a concrete paint stripper from the big box store. I rolled it on, waited 2-4 hours and then just power washed it off. I did just over 1800 sqf in 3 days. The only draw back is the cost of the paint stripper, $39.99 a jug, and if I remember correctly I used just under 6 containers, ( The thicker you roll it on the easier it comes off) but it saved me a months worth of time. Hope it helps

 

[bdamico]

I thought you weren't supposed to use stripper before epoxy.

 

[Edger]

Depends on the stripper and how it was removed. No stripper, no problem.

 

[Garage Flooring]

If you can get a good, single head floor grinder, that will be your best bet

 

[PRO.OUTLAW]

I thought you weren't supposed to use stripper before epoxy.

Plenty of water from the power washer, squeeged dry, and then take a diamond grinder to it, so far no problem.

 

[Familyof8kids]

If you can get a good, single head floor grinder, that will be your best bet

125% the correct answer. If you are a gambler then do stripper. If you want success and no issue use the grinder.

Stripper is down the road for a few dollars.

Grinder is for Epoxy floor.

 

[PRO.OUTLAW]

125% the correct answer. If you are a gambler then do stripper. If you want success and no issue use the grinder.

Stripper is down the road for a few dollars.

Grinder is for Epoxy floor.

I don't think it was gambling, just easier to take the old floor covering off before we got to the bare concrete and like I said, plenty of water to break it down, once it dried, we then took a grinder to it any way.