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Sealing concrete?

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BellyUpFish

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Ok so I'm going to have a brand new garage floor in a few weeks.

I don't need showroom quality. I'm perfectly happy with a garage floor being a garage floor, however, I would like to seal it just to protect it..

I thought about Racedeck, but that's just not my speed I don't think.

What is the best product to seal my floor?
 
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phawco

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DONT DO IT! I sealed mine when built last year but it seems that the sealers are now waterbased. All fluids stain it. Gas and brake clean will remove it. Either leave it bare or do an epoxy on it.
 
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Shea

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Hmmm.... do you want to seal your floor or just cover it to protect it? Just a bit confused since Racedeck is a floor covering. Garage mats are a great option and less expensive if you want a covering.

As far as sealers go, there are many to choose from depending on your needs. Here is an article that helps to explain the different garage sealers available to you.

If you want something simple then an acrylic sealer is easy to apply with not too much prep work required. If you want more protection then you need to start looking at epoxy which will require more work to put down.
 
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BellyUpFish

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Shea said:
Hmmm.... do you want to seal your floor or just cover it to protect it? Just a bit confused since Racedeck is a floor covering. Garage mats are a great option and less expensive if you want a covering.

As far as sealers go, there are many to choose from depending on your needs. Here is an article that helps to explain the different garage sealers available to you.

If you want something simple then an acrylic sealer is easy to apply with not too much prep work required. If you want more protection then you need to start looking at epoxy which will require more work to put down.
Click to expand...

I thought I wanted to go with a floor covering, but don't really think that's what I need/want.

I'd rather just deal the floor and call it a day.
 
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LegacyIndustrial

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If you want to add some protection without adding a sheen, consider a densifier.
If you want a sheen and don't mind some maintenance every few years, depending on the product you use and the traffic, consider an acrylic sealer.

Want maximum protection and are willing to roll up your sleeves? Epoxy with urethane topcoat is tops.

These three, generally, cover the "sealers". There is also a Cure N Seal available for freshly placed concrete.
 
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pauloman

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use an internal sealer that leaves nothing on the surface - like bio vee seal. Or use an epoxy primer/concrete sealer. (like esp 155).

DON'T use any other sort of product which will perhaps prevent you from using any other sort of coating. When folks tell me thompson water seal, that is the end of it. Nothing goes on over tompson water seal (which is parafin wax in a solvent) might as well just oil your floor.

coverage rates for epoxy depends upon the epoxy. for a 100% solids Industrial Floor epoxy coverage is about 185-200 sf per 1.5 gal kit. Generally 3 kits for a 2 car garage.
 
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pauls340

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BellyUp, where are you located. 600 sqft @4" thick is about 7.4 cu yards. If your mix design has about 535# of cementitious material in it, simply add 53 oz of Vapor Lock 20/20 (www.spggogreen.com) per yard and live happily ever after. Total is about 3 gals of a water vapor reducing admix into the concrete. I'm living proof, zero moisture related issues even after three years. Good luck trying to decide.
 
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Le Mancave

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I just treated my shop/garage/storage space with densifier. I liked the idea of something permanent, and it's also relatively inexpensive. When I was picking up my densifier I saw something at the building supply called Xypex, which supposedly completely water proofs cement permanently. Very expensive compared to densifiers though. I don't think it's intended application is for garages.
 
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BellyUpFish

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LegacyIndustrial said:
Options man, lots of options...
Primer? Flakes? Clear Topcoat?
What will you do with your floor? What is your vision?
Click to expand...

No meed for a primer aesthetically. If its needed for a quality job, sure.

Clear would be fine. No need for flakes.

It's just a wrenching garage. Welding with a mat, etc. Typical change the oil, sharpen the mower blades, build a cabinet, weld up the trailer garage. LOL



pauls340 said:
BellyUp, where are you located. 600 sqft @4" thick is about 7.4 cu yards. If your mix design has about 535# of cementitious material in it, simply add 53 oz of Vapor Lock 20/20 (www.spggogreen.com) per yard and live happily ever after. Total is about 3 gals of a water vapor reducing admix into the concrete. I'm living proof, zero moisture related issues even after three years. Good luck trying to decide.
Click to expand...

Florence, Al. I'll have to check it out.



Le Mancave said:
I just treated my shop/garage/storage space with densifier. I liked the idea of something permanent, and it's also relatively inexpensive. When I was picking up my densifier I saw something at the building supply called Xypex, which supposedly completely water proofs cement permanently. Very expensive compared to densifiers though. I don't think it's intended application is for garages.
Click to expand...

A densifier is sounding like what I might need. I'm thinking about treating the attached garage as well..
 
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LegacyIndustrial

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Good deal. Welding and topical products don't go well without protecting the floor with a mat. Penetrating sealants, densifiers are not changed. A mat is a good idea no matter what as a cold concrete floor with a hot piece of slag can create a problem too.
 
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bobscogin

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BellyUpFish said:
So what is everyone's favorite densifier?
Click to expand...

Can't speak for everyone, but I recently treated my shop floor with Lapidolith densifier. As for being my "favorite", I've never used another type so I have no reference for a preference.

Bob
 
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BellyUpFish

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You guys manning the phones on Saturdays? I don't get too many chances to use the phone between 7am-7p..
 
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Le Mancave

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BellyUpFish said:
So what is everyone's favorite densifier?
Click to expand...

I used used Legacy Industrial's HD36 and Liqui-Hard Ultra by W.R. Meadows. I can't really tell any difference, they both have minimal if any effect on the appearance of the concrete. I'm sure differences could be discerned through more scientific testing but most of us are just trying to get our floors treated so we can start using the space.
 
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