Questions before I take the plunge?

[The Detailer]

Hi guys

I have been browsing this site for a while. I can't thank you guys enough for all the awesome information and great ideas you come up with! I hope help some of you guys one day.

My project 2 car garage, epoxy is failing after 8 years of pretty tough use. Oil changes, dry steering and over 150+ details. I'm a professional detailer so my garage takes a lot of beating, especially from dry steering and machines, as well as some pretty strong solvents.

UV exposure isn't really an issue as the garage is closed except for washing. Light only enters in about 4 hours out of the day when open. Also note there are a few hairline cracks but nothing serious.

Exposure: Solvents, heavy cleaners. Acids are done outside... I recommend no one do that indoors.
Defects: minor hairlines, worn out epoxy
Square ft: 20x20
Budget: 750-1k
Tools: Small stone grinder, renting a full size from Home Depot.








I will be going with the stone grinder route for sure. I plan on doing this myself. I've always been a very good DIY'er. The epoxy I was looking it are one of these. I have been looking at metallic/reflection setups. Does anyone know of a good place to get a FULL kit, primer, base, metallic, reflector that will last.






My 2nd question is will the texture be able to adhere on vertical panels or will it run? It might look cool if it does. Here's the dilema, high walls.



I hope I can get the floor as glossy as my work, thank you guys! If you have any questions on detailing techniques or products feel free to ask away!

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Whatever you do, end with a clear urethane.
Solvents will not be your friend with neat epoxy.

Also...
A working mans garage does not a metallic pigment make., IMO.

 

[Sovereign-1]

Whatever you do, end with a clear urethane.
Solvents will not be your friend with neat epoxy.

Also...
A working mans garage does not a metallic pigment make., IMO.

Scotty,

Metallic epoxy with a urethane top coat is at the top of my list for my floor. May I ask when you say working mans do you mean daily use or would it be alright for a weekend warrior?

Thanks

 

[The Detailer]

Whatever you do, end with a clear urethane.
Solvents will not be your friend with neat epoxy.

Also...
A working mans garage does not a metallic pigment make., IMO.

I definitely plan on ending with a top coat of urethane., I will need to apply the non skid surface as there's always water.

As far as metallic for commercial I do agree with you, however I'm not a volume Detailer. I'm a one on one specialist, my jobs aren't the normal 2 hour detail. The majority of my work spans from a min of 14 upwards of 60 hours per car. Plenty of times I'll have a car for a full week, sometimes longer if needed. I prefer this to be like a show room rather than a shop. It's one of the few times the client will ever see their vehicles paint literally perfect, it really is a one of kind moment. That all said I'm not going crazy, I want a subtle gray/blue neutral look. Any recommendations on metallics?

 

[Shea]

There aren't a lot of vendors selling DIY metallic epoxy kits as of yet. Most are still being done commercially. This thread here discusses metallic floors at length and displays a couple of DIY installs and what product was used.

As far as your stem walls go, you can grind them as you would your floor and apply epoxy to them. Which type of metallic system you decide to go with may or may not dictate how well you get the effects you are looking for however since you are dealing with a vertical surface. That is something you will want to bring up with your supplier of choice.

The recommendations for a urethane top coat is spot on.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

We carry the Torginol metallics. If you need a comprehensive proposal we would be happy to provide.

I like these floors but not good for a heavy use garage, more of a wax and polish garage.

 

[benwah]

Arizona Polymer Flooring sells full metallic systems.. You can purchase their whole system just give them a call to see what they recommend.

 

[GreenFoxEpoxy]

The Detailer,

I would recommend leaving the "verticals" a solid color; the metallic pigment does best on a flat surface. I would prime the entire floor and verticals with a solid color that will help your metallic colors cover. After applying your metallic pigment, you can go back and touchup your solid color epoxy on the verticals. For instance, a red metallic floor would have a black primer. The finished floor would be red metallic on floor, solid black on the verticals.

Even though your garage won't see much sunlight, keep in mind that interior lighting can damage your floor. I would recommend a urethane topcoat to protect from yellowing. Adding the non-slip additive is going to greatly affect the look of the metallic floor. You may want to do a test patch first, just to make sure it's what you want.

Eric w/ GFE

 

[allinon72]

For your budget and uses, you seem like the perfect candidate for Racedeck.