Protecting bare concrete floor?

[SteveU]

What can be done to protect a bare concrete floor from being damaged by using AO torches, Plasma cutters, & welders? Looking at getting the above next year & don't want to harm the floor. Aside from the obvious like not cutting or welding anything right on the floor is there a shielding material that will do this or is it not really a problem? Floor is 35 yrs old & in good shape & I'd like to keep it that way. Didn't post this on the flooring forum because most of the posts there are about tile/epoxy & I have neither.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[brownbagg]

why, its a garage

 

[jerry46765]

I used a concrete sealer, and it's been pretty good.

It penetrates the concrete, and has made clean up a breeze over bare concrete. It's also been easy to touch up.

I noticed a big difference in sweeping up stuff. It really made dust / shavings control musch easier. I have even used a mop, on a few occations to get it really clean.

Surfkoat 2000 was the product I used.

Thanks -

Jerry

 

[SteveU]

I like to take care of my things & not have them damaged if I can help it. It isn't a show room by any stretch but I don't want pits started either. If using reasonable precautions like not welding or cutting on or real close to the floor will be enough to keep this from happening that would be great.

 

[SteveU]

I used a concrete sealer, and it's been pretty good.

It penetrates the concrete, and has made clean up a breeze over bare concrete. It's also been easy to touch up.

I noticed a big difference in sweeping up stuff. It really made dust / shavings control musch easier. I have even used a mop, on a few occations to get it really clean.

Surfkoat 2000 was the product I used.

Thanks -

Jerry

Thanks Jerry, will have to look into that product. Would be useful to coat the area by the lift to make spills easier to get up.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Hey Jerry, you a gangster??

 

[KustomZ]

Used a product called Fortify made by SC Johnson in a welding shop and an auto shop at a vocational school that held up pretty decent and it took plenty of abuse. It can be purchased in 5 gallon containers from a commercial janitorial supply.

 

[kvom]

You could put a welding blanket on the floor whenever you are welding or cutting.

 

[Steve in Mi]

I like to take care of my things & not have them damaged if I can help it. It isn't a show room by any stretch but I don't want pits started either. If using reasonable precautions like not welding or cutting on or real close to the floor will be enough to keep this from happening that would be great.

Those precautions you mention will go a long way to keeping the floor smooth and free of the pock marks. If you also prevent any sizeable red hot slag or drops from laying on the floor - these will pock the surface and sometimes the spalling cement becomes airborne and threatens eye safety etc. as well. Cutting over grating on top of a barrel/container or constructed temporary sand traps (angle iron frame laid on the floor and filled with sand) in the cutting/welding area can alleviate the pocking/spalling problem.

I use a clear sealer for easy spill wipe-ups and to eliminate dusting of the concrete surface - Thompson's Garage Floor Protector (water base product).

 

[jerry46765]

>>> Hey Jerry, you a gangster?? >>>

Only if you can pick me from a lineup...

That casting is pretty cool.

 

[Kevin54]

Looks like Zippy