stain recommendations for garage floor

[scatkins]

I've decided to do a polyurea over bare concrete (no color base) to try and capture an industrial concrete look for garage shop floor. Originally I was just going to do polished / burnished concrete but decided that I'd like something with more resistance to fluids and spills. So decided to do a clear polyurea over the prepared concrete.

This is highly subjective I realize, but most of the pictures I've been seeing of clear over bare concrete tend to look a little mottled. I'm not sure if that is the right term, but it doesn't really pop much. (as soon as I get my floor profiled, I'm going to run a test on a small area).

So I think I may want to stain the concrete with some grey to try to get a more uniform look but not lose the concrete texture. I see lots of beautiful floors and stain which are done in more on the earth tone side of the spectrum, but that isn't really for me. Looking for something to retain the concrete look just make it pop a little more.

Anyone done concrete with a stain that enhances the grey concrete look? I see lots of pretty cool stains and pictures from the projects, but when it gets to natural grays, I'm not seeing all that much (or at least DIY examples that show the stain type). Most of the really nice grey floors are in advertisements for full service companies.

Love to hear from anyone who has tried to stain and retain a natural concrete look, but stained to get a look that pops a little more than just clear.

Thanks
Steve

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Steve:
We offer the products and this can be done.
However you may want to "experiment" in a closet/corner with a stain-sample before you go great-guns. You will probably want to spray on and wipe-off to get a hint of the gray.

Here is a recent shot from a GJ member, not gray but gives you an idea of what can be done:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFLh4jUl1Fa/

 

[scatkins]

Steve:
We offer the products and this can be done.
However you may want to "experiment" in a closet/corner with a stain-sample before you go great-guns. You will probably want to spray on and wipe-off to get a hint of the gray.

Here is a recent shot from a GJ member, not gray but gives you an idea of what can be done:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFLh4jUl1Fa/

Ok thanks was a little confused as some of the color charts showed a "lead" color and others including the order page show "gray".. I think I'll order a sample and try it out.

Any suggestions on concrete patch material that doesn't stick out like a sore thumb? The concrete is new and in great shape, but I have a few hairline cracks. Most of the patch material I've seen used in various videos look worse than the cracks. I was thinking of just using a fine slurry of cement and add some sand to it, but I'm not sure that is strong enough.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

A cement-based patch would take the stain, although it will likely appear a little darker than the rest of the floor.

 

[pima67]

For a small crack where the two "steps" intersected (about 3-4 ft long), I used some thin set I had on hand to fill it. Easy to smooth out to match the existing step level. Epoxy over it made it invisible. This was on a post tensioned slap so I wasn't worried about the cracking opening up in the future.