So what's the verdict

[overdriv]

I've been reading and looking at the pictures of these great looking floors and would love to have my new garage/shop look like some of them.

But, I know my shop will be used as a working shop, working on cars, trucks, ATVs, small tractors, which means spilling of any and all chemicals, oils, greases, etc. There will be welding, jacks and jack stands used, heavy things moved, dropped, slid, rolled, etc.

I really don't want to be worrying about scratching or gouging the surface, or repairing it in a couple of years. So are any of the coatings this forum talks a lot about worthy of being on my floor?

Please no sales pitches, I've read them all, and man they sound great. I'd like first hand knowledge and experience with all of the above being done to your floor covering.

Thanks for all comments and suggestions.

 

[JC23]

"Use the Force, Luke."

Then use the search feature...

 

[overdriv]

I have searched but I guess not for the correct word. I've found numerous threads on how happy the owner is with the way the new floor looks, but it only a few days/months old.

I found one thread where the owner has posted back pictures of the floor with spilled oil and of the floor after a few months.

How about 4-6 years, any experience there?

 

[JC23]

overdriv,

I am in a similar deal. I will be building a new shop in the next two years so I am watching these boards for intel. I can give you one example, tho. Roger55 has a neat place and I asked him later in his thread about how the epoxy floor is holding up. You can check that one out or find a floor and send a follow up PM or post to the OP.

And don't feel bad. I am sill bouncing back and forth between staining the concrete and using an epoxy. The good news is I am also thinking of using more than one surface. I'm thinking stain on the shop side and epoxy of VCT on the cleaner assembly side. Like I said, don't feel bad...

Logically, I will likely end up calculating just how much (%) floor will be exposed to flaming goobers and such. Then act accordingly.

 

[Dragster Racer]

It really does seem at times like this board is really biased to the "pretty stuff". If I drop a wrench from the lift, I don't want to worry about breaking a ceramic tile or maring the epoxy. If I drag a steel welding table across the floor, or have to move something heavy without help, I don't want to be scratching up the showplace. And if brake clean drips off something I am cleaning and I don't notice it, I don't want heartbreak. Especially if I had to spend a load to coat the floor. But the cleanability of something on top of the concrete would be a great plus. I don't see many posts on stain/seal or just really decent, durable and affortable seals. But I keep watching. It isn't on my "to do right away" list anyhow.

 

[zeebad1]

I put this on my new concrete 1 1/2 years ago, and I'm pleased with what I have.

http://www.ashfordformula.com/

The floor doesn't look any different, but holds up well to abuse, and cleans & dries quickly.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

I put this on my new concrete 1 1/2 years ago, and I'm pleased with what I have.

http://www.ashfordformula.com/

The floor doesn't look any different, but holds up well to abuse, and cleans & dries quickly.

You applied a densifier, we have (3) different versions at much lower cost than Ashford.

 

[mayday0017]

We had Sherwin William Tile Clad in my parents house.... it held up for about 15 years to standard use of cars lawn equipment and such before it ever started wearing thin. We didnt' put clear on it or anything else.... after 15 years we coated it again, the second time has lasted through 2 more owners before another family member ended up buying the same house and that coat is now 10 years old and still looks as great as it did when it was put down. I am enough of a believer in it, and it cost about the same as the cheap stuff from the big box stores, that I put it down earlier today in my first home.

 

[v7guy]

I picked up wolverine epoxy. installed it about 3wks ago. I've drug a 200lbs workbench across it with no issue and drug a almost complete small block on an engine stand with steel wheels with no marks. I also spilt paint on the floor which I cleaned with gasoline and some acetone and MEK... with no effect. I used multiple chemicals just to see if it would hurt the floor. I haven't fired up the welder yet...fred at alpha garage told me berries would burn the floor but it should be good for sparks. given my experience so far I have no reason to be skeptical.
fred didn't respond to several of my many questions, there were delays in my epoxy shipment and I got very testy in my communications with him, which may have been responsible for the slow communication. I'm in the minority in this experience though and the product has exceeded my expectations.
I'll buy from alpha garage again and wish I had never troubled them about the delay.

 

[AlphaGarage]

Jason:

Glad to hear you'r first hand account.

Sorry about the less than ideal communications, late summers a busy time of the year, plus I was out of the office for a few weeks and although most business was handled by the help, some things weren't as smooth as I'd hoped they would be. My apologies, we'll do better.

 

[Dragster Racer]

densifiers:
Can they be used on concrete that isn't new? I did a search, but didn't find that much usable info. Tell me more. Cost roughly?

 

[overdriv]

I have put a product called CreteDefender on my outside driveway and sidewalk. Suppose to penetrate the concrete and seal it from salt damage. Can't tell it has had anything on it unless you look closely.

Don't know how good it is but it's suppose to be a one time apply.

Still not sure what I'll do to my new concrete that will be inside.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

densifiers:
Can they be used on concrete that isn't new? I did a search, but didn't find that much usable info. Tell me more. Cost roughly?

Densifiers:
eliminate dusting
help guard against freeze/thaw issues
eliminate efflorescence
harden/strengthen the surface
Optional: integral water repellent

Inside/Outside use ok

400 sq ft. per gal, $39.00 per gal, including shipping to 48 states

one time application
no difference in concrete appearance

 

[Dragster Racer]

I think I found my future floor coating. Thanks Scotty. I will be in touch.

 

[vtx531]

eliminate efflorescence

Can you explain this more? I have quite a bit of efflourescence on the outside foundation and knee wall (correct term?) in the garage. The basement was coated with some sort of gray water repellant paint but the efflourence is causing it to bubble and peel in certain spots.

 

[rwhite692]

I went with VCT tile for the floor of my garage, which is a "working" garage. I have no illusions whatsoever that the floor will stay looking like it does in these pics. But, I was able to get all of the tile for less than 300 bucks (craigslist) and I have enough left over to fix any damaged tiles when they eventually happen.

 

[Falcon67]

I used a 2 part epoxy on mine. Been on that for 12 years now and except for the car paint overspray, it looks fine. I use the hell out of the shop and was not so worried about appearance as easy clean up of spills. The paint looks good and stuff cleans up pretty easy. It's tough stuff when applied correctly. I think mine works so well because it was applied after the slab had cured and before I moved in. Spray it with WD-40 or transmission fluid and you can sponsor The Nutcracker On Ice. I park race cars with slicks on it, so tile or other flooring options did not seem to fit well in my application.

I would use epoxy on the next floor for sure.

And if brake clean drips off something I am cleaning and I don't notice it, I don't want heartbreak.

I can clean my floor with Brake Clean, Berryman's B-12 and Castrol Super Clean and there is no issue. I use Brake Clean and a rag to mop up after loading out a race car. They are Fords, leaks are a required feature.

 

[overdriv]

Well that's the best experience related post yet. I to will want it for a working shop. Spills will be expected.

Did you use speckles in your floor? Seems like that would make finding dropped items hard to see.???

 

[AndrewBigA]

I went with VCT tile for the floor of my garage, which is a "working" garage. I have no illusions whatsoever that the floor will stay looking like it does in these pics. But, I was able to get all of the tile for less than 300 bucks (craigslist) and I have enough left over to fix any damaged tiles when they eventually happen.

looks beautifull. did you sand it down & clear coat it or no? what size are your VCT tiles?

your garage looks awsaome. not too big but nice & clean. me likes =)

 

[Fastback]

I was going to acid stain my floor, but ended up buying concrete with intergral color instead. If I already had concrete in a working shop and wanted it to look more like "flooring" than just a floor I would acid etch then clear it.

 

[Falcon67]

Well that's the best experience related post yet. I to will want it for a working shop. Spills will be expected.

Did you use speckles in your floor? Seems like that would make finding dropped items hard to see.???

If asking me, no - straight gray. It's still hard to find dropped parts because they like to run and hide. At least they do for me. There is a whole family of Gremlins living under my bench and when something hits the floor it goes right in their nest.

 

[overdriv]

If asking me, no - straight gray. It's still hard to find dropped parts because they like to run and hide. At least they do for me. There is a whole family of Gremlins living under my bench and when something hits the floor it goes right in their nest.

Well, Their relation lives under my bench.

 

[v7guy]

Well, Their relation lives under my bench.

I think I've got some of the extended family under my bench. the light gray floor makes it easy to see everything.... for the most part .

 

[rwhite692]

looks beautifull. did you sand it down & clear coat it or no? what size are your VCT tiles?

your garage looks awsaome. not too big but nice & clean. me likes =)

Thanks Andrew. No, no sanding/epoxy clearcoat for me.

I had thought about it, but, I could see that turning into a real mess if I ever have to replace a damaged tile. The thought of having to chisel through epoxy, replacing the tile, and then trying to re-coat the repaired area with clear epoxy and make it look like it did before....seems to me like it would be near impossible to pull that off.

My floor just has three quick coats of Armstrong Excellon floor polish on it. If I ever need to replace a few tiles, it's not a big deal.