rustoleoum expoy sheild

[Garage5.9]

saw this at Lowes today and it states that it will cover 500sf of coated concrete or 250sf of uncoated. I might of got the 2 mixed up but you get the idea. When they say coated what kind of coating are we talking about ? my garage floor is just concrete no paint or anything. I mean its not like white chalky concrete but there is some gloss to it.

 

[porphyre]

1) The stuff Lowes sells on the shelf is Rustoleum's Water based epoxy. You do not want to use that in a garage that's got daily drivers in it. Cars pulling in/out every day will wear it down in a matter of a few years.

2) Read this forum - there are many threads about pre-paint prep.

3) My experience with Rustoleum's Solvent based epoxy is that their coverage estimates are dead-on. 250 sqft uncoated, 500 sqft coated. Same for their clearcoat. 1 kit will do 500 sqft.

4) Don't even try to do a single color coat. It will look horrible. Plan on 2 color coats.

 

[AlphaGarage]

You could easily stretch it out and coat 1,000 or even 2,000 square feet with a single kit - the question is "how thick and effective will the final coating be?"

Part of that answer requires that you know the make up of the product - how much is solid and how much is water or solvents that will just evaporate?

With resin coatings bigger is generally better, and a thicker coating is better than the same material in a thinner finish.

Read the product info and figure out how much you're paying for and applying but that you won't have any actual benefit from after it's all cured.

 

[porphyre]

Read the product info and figure out how much you're paying for and applying but that you won't have any actual benefit from after it's all cured.

Callin' you out again, Fred. While what you're saying here is TECHNICALLY correct (and I admire your SALESMANSHIP in crafting the statement) it is misleading by omission.

When you buy Wolverine epoxy, you're paying for Epoxy and Support (because you guys at Alpha do, in fact, do an amazing job supporting your customers).

When you buy any non-100% solids epoxy, you're paying for Epoxy, Support, and a thinner (be it chemical solvent or water).

From a technical standpoint, yes the thinner does give no "actual benefit from after it's all cured." In fact, I've even seen you give some mumbo-jumbo about microbubbles being formed as the solvent evaporates.

As you know, the purpose of a thinner in an epoxy garage floor coating is to EXTEND POT LIFE. Therefore, it gives the user a benefit BEFORE the epoxy is cured.

According to the AlphaGarage website, Wolverine epoxy has a pot-life of 15-45 minutes, depending on temperature.

From a quick survey of non-100% solids epoxy, pot life is anywhere from 1-16hrs, depending on thinner type and quantity.

What is the benefit of an extended pot life?

Ease of use. A product that is easier to use has a higher successful application rate and therefor a better reputation in the marketplace. It also costs the manufacturer less time and money (although time IS money) in handling customer complaints. I've seen the (very few) threads you've been involved with making a problem right for your customers. You devote a lot of time and energy to making things right and ensuring your customers are happy.

In my case, I know that I would've screwed up many things in my application if I'd been constrained by a tight pot-life. Maybe my second floor will be 100% solids....


I hope you make the sale to this guy... I just want you to come by it honestly.