Solid Color Chips for Epoxy Floor?

[Scubadriver]

I'm finishing up construction of a new home with my dream garage of 1400 sq ft and high ceilings. I am pretty active at the race track and intend put in a two post lift for maintenance so it's more than just decorative.

I've got three local installers here in Houston, TX who are willing to do the garage for $3.75/sq ft. One uses Versatile Building Products Epoxy/Polyaspartic coating. One uses E2U Epoxy/Polyaspartic coating. One uses a 3 layer Polyaspartic coating. All recommend full broadcast chips.

I'm leaning towards one of the two epoxy coatings as I am worried about getting adequate bonding of the polyaspartic to the concrete. However, considering the epoxies are rapid curing perhaps there's not much difference. Two companies of the companies, the Versatile Building Products installer and the 3 layer Polyaspartic coating installer offer lifetime no-peel warranties.

My real question is regarding color. I am sensitive to the issue highlighted in this forum regarding the blended flake colors making it really hard to find stuff that you drop. However, flakes seem good for hiding imperfections, providing a tiny bit of extra traction, and providing an extra bit of impact absorption. (Interestingly, one epoxy manufacturer only guaratees against peels if it is used with full-flake, though I can't understand why.) So... Has anyone done a full-flake application in a solid flake color, the same flake color as the epoxy color? It seems like the best of both worlds?

Thanks!

Bob

 

[mepstein]

Someone showed a picture of their same color floor. Looked like ****.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Someone showed a picture of their same color floor. Looked like ****.

Ditto! Dont do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Armorpoxy]

Agree, bad idea. Single color fleck jobs don't look great.

 

[benwah]

Here is an airplane hangar we did where the customer wanted single color fleck. We obliged. Not the most appealing, IMO.

The standard is 3 or 4 colors that are contrasting, but complimenting. White, blue, gray - black, gray, blue - white, black, gray - tan, beige, black, gray etc etc.

 

[AP514]

Here in Houston Also...with the price you listed I am looing at about 6K...
I worry about the Floor Sweating and Disbonding..(Heat and Humidity)


Following...

Question can they put this vertically ? I have a few 3" step ups in my Garage

 

[Shea]

Sweating is a form of condensation and will not affect the bond of coatings. It's moisture from below a slab that you need to take precautions for. Yes, epoxy and flakes can go vertically for stem walls and steps.

 

[bigdav160]

I have a solid color (tan) epoxy floor in my shop. I can see small parts that I drop on the floor. I can't imagine doing that with flakes.

My MIL has a new house with a flaked garage floor. I can't imagine working in that environment. Looks pretty though

 

[benwah]

I think people over-exaggerate about the "dropping small pieces on the floor" bit. It's not that difficult, really.

 

[mepstein]

If it’s a working shop or garage, just skip the flakes.

 

[wydizzle]

Here in Houston Also...with the price you listed I am looing at about 6K...
I worry about the Floor Sweating and Disbonding..(Heat and Humidity)


Following...

Question can they put this vertically ? I have a few 3" step ups in my Garage

Did you end up deciding on a floor yet?

 

[PoorUB]

If it’s a working shop or garage, just skip the flakes.

I agree. I worked for a company a few years that did epoxy floor coatings. Personally, I would never put flakes or sand in epoxy. The floor is harder to sweep. You pretty much need to hose it down to do a decent job of cleaning. I have had smooth epoxy in my shop for thirty years and have zero issues with slipping.

 

[Scubadriver]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I ended up going to with a 1/8" full broadcast mix in a dark gray multicolor flake.

I was not too impressed with the initial result. Indeed, like those last posts indicated, it was much too rough after just a single topcoat. Would have been a ***** to clean.

Very happy with the result after brining them back to put on a second topcoat. Right blend of smooth and wavy. After a few months of living with it, sometimes things are a little hard to spot in the pattern, but it's not too bad. Certainly not too slick.

Bob

 

[AP514]

Did you end up deciding on a floor yet?

NO, I am on Hold. I am doing a partail remodel of my rent house.