Simple clear floor using stain guard + densifyer

[todd230]

Simple clear floor

I'm moving into a new place next month with a 975sq ft garage (dream come true) and want to protect and finish the garage floor. I've had both epoxy and polyaspartic floors with heavy broadcast chips. Nice looking, but I managed to damage both and overall wasn't happy with the investment after the fact. This time around I want to be as practical as possible while still be able to prevent the huge oil spill that will inevitably happen at some point from wrecking my man cave. I've been reading up and am now considering a densifier + some sort of additional chemical stain resistance and a machine finish to dress it up a little. Probably going to add some black garage mats to the mix under the cars and in my main work area. I feel like this meets my criteria of relatively low cost, good looks, and low cost/low effort repairability. Can anyone post pictures and or provide their experience with this approach? Any input would be appreciated. Thx, Todd

 

[Shea]

Hello Todd. One approach that is gaining attention is to apply a densifier followed by an application of the newer oil repellent sealers. GhostShield 8505 is one such product.

 

[todd230]

Thanks Shea - have been reading on that. Are there any products in this space that resist solvents or is that going to be an issue regardless of process/chemicals used?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Our HD40 Concrete Stainguard is a keeper.

http://www.legacyindustrial.net/products/densifiers/hd40-concrete-stainguard.html

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[todd230]

Scotty - I think that may be the ticket. After burnishing are there any particular chemicals I should be careful with and can I reapply at some interval and burnish just to keep it looking good?

Edit - just read this article - http://allgaragefloors.com/densifier-sealer-garage-build-project/. I think I'm all set.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

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[Armorpoxy]

Hi
We agree that a clear may be an inexpensive solution for you. Attached are some photos of a service center that had our clear solvent based penetrating densifier with stain blocking densifer on it for about 8 years. The staining was in the concrete from prior use, not from current tenant. Please PM us for info/pricing. No maintenance or burnishing has been done since it was installed and they repair cars on this. Customer pleased after many years of use.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I'm moving into a new place next month with a 975sq ft garage (dream come true) and want to protect and finish the garage floor. I've had both epoxy and polyaspartic floors with heavy broadcast chips. Nice looking, but I managed to damage both and overall wasn't happy with the investment after the fact. This time around I want to be as practical as possible while still be able to prevent the huge oil spill that will inevitably happen at some point from wrecking my man cave. I've been reading up and am now considering a densifier + some sort of additional chemical stain resistance and a machine finish to dress it up a little. Probably going to add some black garage mats to the mix under the cars and in my main work area. I feel like this meets my criteria of relatively low cost, good looks, and low cost/low effort repairability. Can anyone post pictures and or provide their experience with this approach? Any input would be appreciated. Thx, Todd

There are several ways to go. A floor conditioner, over a densifier, may provide desirable results when burnished, but will require maintenance to keep it up. I would suggest using a true densifier first such as TL37 followed by TL40 if that is the route you wish to go. Also the results are directly related to how smooth your floor is to begin with.

We also have a more permanent (in terms of gloss) urethane that I can discuss details with you later this week.

Acrylics can work well, but like floor conditioners, they are a maintenance product and also can stain from very common automotive fluids. One nice thing though about a solvent based finish is it is easily repaired.

 

[Armorpoxy]

We also carry a special 1 part polyurea called SPGX that is completely UV resistant and resistant to all common auto fluids. Oil and gas won't affect it at all. It is more durable than a urethane. This is one of our specialty products and is not listed on our website, please PM us for info and pricing.

We used this exact product to refinish the floors in the 9-11 Memorial Museum in NYC which sees over 14,000,000 visitors per year to prevent marking from shoes and such and to add a slight non skid texture to the floor to help reduce slippage when wet from snow/water coming in when it was bad weather. It is SUPER abrasion resistant and hard wearing an can be applied as a single coat with very little prep.

 

[todd230]

I appreciate all the information. I like the idea of SPGX. However what appeals to me about the burnished sealer/densifier is the repairability. I have a sissor lift and a 4 post on casters and I worry about pealing back and scuffing a top coat. Any thoughts? Do you think SPGX will out perform the burnished floor? And how about repairing SPGX Thx. Todd

 

[Armorpoxy]

SPGX is easy to repair if you get a scratch. Just brush or use a small small foam roller. SPGX is also much easier to apply and doesn't require a burnisher since it just rolls on.

The photos posted of the large museum project does get some scratches from people coming in and being very abusive to the floor with folded strollers coming through the security scanners and such. The Museum staff just touches it up from time to time with material we supplied them.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Apples and oranges. You are comparing a low cost green floor treatment to a solvent based, topical floor coating requiring evasive preparation and considerable cost. Need to define the parameters of the project.


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[Armorpoxy]

Disagree. SPGX reqiuires very little preparation. Just a good power washing and a light etch. Many of our customers don't even prep and just apply it directly to clean concrete.

 

[DTE]

I do not have any photos yet, but I did just order some HD39 densifier from Legacy on Monday. My floor is about 2 weeks old and it is as smooth as I have ever seen one finished.
I will post my results when done.

 

[todd230]

Both seem to fit the criteria I specified in the original post. Relatively inexpensive ($.50 sq ft), simple, clear, tough, easy to maintain <--reason for my question about the top coat. I'm looking at my options. Hopefully this clears up any confusion (no pun). Thx, Todd

 

[todd230]

Thx DTE. Look forward to seeing your results. I plan to finish mine in 2-3 weeks and will do the same.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I'm moving into a new place next month with a 975sq ft garage (dream come true) and want to protect and finish the garage floor. I've had both epoxy and polyaspartic floors with heavy broadcast chips. Nice looking, but I managed to damage both and overall wasn't happy with the investment after the fact. This time around I want to be as practical as possible while still be able to prevent the huge oil spill that will inevitably happen at some point from wrecking my man cave. I've been reading up and am now considering a densifier + some sort of additional chemical stain resistance and a machine finish to dress it up a little. Probably going to add some black garage mats to the mix under the cars and in my main work area. I feel like this meets my criteria of relatively low cost, good looks, and low cost/low effort repairability. Can anyone post pictures and or provide their experience with this approach? Any input would be appreciated. Thx, Todd

Data sheet going up today on our new clear. GHostshield 8505 is also an awesome product. Does not create gloss.

 

[todd230]

Rolled out my SPGX this weekend. Maybe not the solution for everyone, but perfect for my needs. I'm going for function + an industrial look. Plan to start my Unistrut work next and order a new 4 post. Really appreciate all the replies. I think any of the solutions would have worked. The chemical resistance and ease of application was the selling point for me.
IMG_20151019_181626 by todd2302000, on Flickr
IMG_20151019_181636 by todd2302000, on Flickr
IMG_20151019_181640 by todd2302000, on Flickr
IMG_20151019_181655 by todd2302000, on Flickr

 

[KDXSR5]

That does look pretty good. Any more details on the prep and install you did? Thanks.

 

[todd230]

KDX - Concrete was poured Late May, builder hit it with a floor machine to clear off the over spray (can see in darker gray), it was power washed twice during the build, last was two weeks ago the day of our walk through. I kept red rosin over the concrete during the move to keep it clean, stiff brush, blew it off, and rolled it on. It was a very gritty finish and very hydrophilic so I rolled it on rather than doing any further prep. I'll be the test case for not etching or grinding I suppose. Supplier said this was the case for many installs so I took his word for it. I'll report back over time and give some pictures. It was dry to the touch in ~2 hours and cured in 24. I kept the paper over it until today so it had ~48 hours before we drove on it. Took about 30 minutes to apply and another 45 minutes to cut in the second day. I prefer to cut in expansion joints and edges post roll rather than pre to save product. I used three gallons for 976 sq ft and have about 1/2" in the last bucket to do any spots I missed in the next few days. I imagine it will set up in the can after a few months.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Great photos! Did you do one or two coats?

 

[racerex]

Looks great.

I'll be doing my SPGX install this weekend. In my case, I decided to etch using their ArmorEtch...which I will do on Thursday. I'll be doing two coats of SPGX....second coat will include anti-skid.

 

[todd230]

Single coat. Coverage seemed sufficient. Nice finish and seems to have completely encapsulated the concrete. I used one bag of anti skid per gallon.

Great photos! Did you do one or two coats?

 

[Schmidty26]

That looks good I am awaiting my shipment of spgx. I'm going to diamond grind the concrete even though it's new, and use 2 coats 2nd coat I'm putting the anti skid on the coating.. I'll post stone pics up soon.

But like you I wanted that commercial look and the durable coating without paying 2.00 per sq ft

 

[Radix2]

great job guys, I will be looking to see the new ones and what advice there might be for etch vs. grind vs leave it alone...

 

[jasonz]

I ordered some TL37 and GhostShield 8505 and tested it in a small area before I left town. Did a water test and I was throughly amazed... the water beaded up and wiped away with no trace. DIdn't get a change to test oil but the GS 8505 is specially formulated for oil so I'm confident it will do the trick for me. Now this combination will not give you a shiny floor, it'll just look like a regular concrete floor. But I'm with you, I don't want to spend a ton of money for something that I'll be afraid to mess up over the years.

When I get the chance, I'll do a more extensive test and post pictures.

 

[K C]

Coating looks good! I'm about to order the SPGX and they said the anti-skid gives it more of a matte look but your floor looks pretty shiny in the pics. I would like to put down anti-skid but not too much that you can't wipe the floor with a paper towel.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I ordered some TL37 and GhostShield 8505 and tested it in a small area before I left town. Did a water test and I was throughly amazed... the water beaded up and wiped away with no trace. DIdn't get a change to test oil but the GS 8505 is specially formulated for oil so I'm confident it will do the trick for me. Now this combination will not give you a shiny floor, it'll just look like a regular concrete floor. But I'm with you, I don't want to spend a ton of money for something that I'll be afraid to mess up over the years.

When I get the chance, I'll do a more extensive test and post pictures.

That is an awesome combination and I am really glad it worked out for you! We do have an option now for those who want a shine too. http://www.garageflooringllc.com/tl...le-interior-exterior-concrete-sealer-coating/

 

[todd230]

I'm coming up on a year and still very happy with the floor. Plan to do my first mop job and will shoot a few pictures for comparison. I've only blown the floor off with a leaf blower and spot cleaned spills. Definitely spilled oil, wood stain, urethane clear from wood projects, dragged heavy items, engine on engine stand with metal castors, etc.. No issues, super easy to clean and stays looking nice.

 

[BIGSHOT]

Re: Simple clear floor

Good feedback !

 

[74nova350ss]

I'm coming up on a year and still very happy with the floor. Plan to do my first mop job and will shoot a few pictures for comparison. I've only blown the floor off with a leaf blower and spot cleaned spills. Definitely spilled oil, wood stain, urethane clear from wood projects, dragged heavy items, engine on engine stand with metal castors, etc.. No issues, super easy to clean and stays looking nice.

Any additional updates on the SPGX after a few years?

 

[todd230]

4 + years and still looking good. I have a one gallon container of touch up I purchased a year or so back and still haven’t felt compelled to do any repairs. I have a few stains and spots from chemicals that I plan to sand off and touch up but that’s about it. Floor still cleans up well and looks the way I want it to. No complaints at all.

 

[todd230]

 

[todd230]

8 years and still looking good. No delamination and still looks nice. I'm ordering more for a new steel garage. For that building I had the concrete contractor do a brushed finish vs smooth to help with adhesion (although I've not had any adhesion issues here). New place is at 8500 feet and big temp swings so I thought some extra adhesion wouldn't hurt. I'll post pictures of that garage when I coat it.