Trying to decide between Epoxy and Racedeck

[monteperformance]

I have a two car garage with a failing paint (or epoxy -not sure) floor that I want to redo. Right now I am kind of torn between doing 100% solids epoxy, or the Racedeck tiles.

I just helped my dad install Racedeck in his garage and I was very impressed with it. However it is pricey, and I'm concerned about spills. I tend to be messy and whenever I am servicing coolant, tranmission fluid, even oil I tend to end up with a big spill. If this slips between the joints in the tile I will probably have to pull them up to clean it up. I also park my daily driver in the garage and track in rain, snow, road salt and sand, etc. But it does seem to be very strong and super easy to install. I could do this easily in less than a day.

I like the epoxy because I think I could clean things up easier on it. It will also cost a lot less in materials, but much more in time. I would grind my floor with a diamond grinder and I would have to leave the cars and other stuff out while it dries. I'm figuring at least 2 days to do all the prep and application and another day at least to dry. My floor also does have some cracks and holes-nothing major-that would need some work. And then I have to hope I do everything right, so it all lasts a long time.

So what should I do?

 

[MikeinLA]

Having just done it, I would do the Racedeck. It's just SO easy and it looks SO good. You might think about using the "alloy" colored tiles in the areas where you do the most work, it doesn't show the dirt as much. That's what I did for the areas under where my cars park. Then you can dress it up with colors in lower traffic areas like along the edges. I looked at the epoxy route and it just seemed like a nightmare to do and then there's the risk of having to redo it after a few years. And, if you ever move, at least you can take the Racedeck with you,so it's a one-time lifetime investment. Sold yet?

Mike

 

[NinjaSr.]

If you compare a DIY commercial grade 100% solids epoxy build up floor kit vs a snaplock tile product in the Gragetrac or Garagedeck line vs their Racedeck line the price is very close. My snaplock floor cost less than epoxy using the Gragetrac product. Your floor is not as bad as my floor; I had to add 20% more cost for prep re an epoxy floor. If you are looking at a DIY epoxy product that cost 50 cents a square foot it will not last long and you are not comparing a true epoxy floor vs snaplock. I installed my snaplock floor last week and did some car work the next day. It cleans up nice but I will use cardboard under my car when doing fluid work. Also, it will be a pleasure to lay on the snaplock floor in the winter while working on the cars.

Good luck!

 

[lovetools]

It must be a nightmare when oil or anything spills on racedeck, and I dont love the idea of knowing stuff is probably speeing under there that I wouldn't notice and cleanup.

 

[Rick3Foxes]

As for price comparisons, I just completed my garage floor with commercial grade 100% solids Wolverine epoxy at approx. 25 mils total thickness, including prime coat, base coat, flakes, and clearcoat with anti-slip compound.

The cost was just under $2.00/SqFt.

Rick.

 

[TONE]

I have racedeck in my home garage. I also had it in my commercial business (sign production).

We had the floor down for 5 years at the location with all the racedeck installed. We spilled paint on it, sawdust, sign chemicals, massive inkjet inks, and pretty much anything else you could think of.

The shop also did daily vehicle lettering. Pretty much everyday there was at least one type of vehicle in there or another. Rain, snow, shine, slush, mud, they all came intot he shop to have their wraps or lettering done.

When we where moving out of that building we of course took the floor with us.

We where all impressed that there was NOTHING on the concrete. Not one stain or puddle. It was dirty and dusty yes, but no stains.

 

[MikeinLA]

We where all impressed that there was NOTHING on the concrete. Not one stain or puddle.

Having just installed mine, it seemed that the tolerances were very tight with very little, if any, gap between the tiles. Your observation confirms my thought.

Mike

 

[Wingnut65]

We where all impressed that there was NOTHING on the concrete. Not one stain or puddle. It was dirty and dusty yes, but no stains.

TONE and MikeinLA, You are helping make my decision much easier. One of my biggest concerns was water seeping thru the joints to the concrete below. Don't want mold and mildew growing under there. I have been planning on going the VCT route, but the boss doesn't want anyone to possible have the chance to slip as we all have caught ourselves sliding with wet feet on the stained concrete. I'm waiting for the care package from RaceDeck with samples to show her. It was actually easier than I thought convincing the Minister of Finance that this is the way to go. This thread is making that decision easier. Thanks for all the input.

And, TONE, I have been following your thread on cabinetry and will probably be going the same direction.

jeff

 

[RaceDeck1]

Wingnut65- Mold & mildew should not be an issue for you with RaceDeck. Not only does RaceDeck have a suspended and channeled understructure to allow air to circulate and liquids to flow freely ( not get trapped)..we add anti-microbial agents in our material to prevent mold and mildew.

 

[monteperformance]

Based on what I'm hearing at this point I am leaning more towards the Racedeck. I just have too many other things going on right now, and the Racedeck install is just going to be so much easier.

 

[Wingnut65]

And their CEO is a GJ Member and responds right back... I've made my decision!

Thanks Jorgen, that is exactly what Kia mentioned on Friday. My Info Kit is in the mail to help with my funding request. Thanks.

Good Luck with your choice monteperformance.

jeff

 

[mikeyr]

I had my Racedeck down for many years and had the garage get flooded twice (the tiles float and you don't know you are flooded and walk out in your socks) I never did anything special and there was no mildew when I brought the floor up to move.

Its a working garage, saw LOTS of spills from motor oils to brake fluid to lacquer thinner and MEK, never any damage and the concrete looked as good as it did when I put the floor down.

 

[Cal Concrete Restoration]

monteperformance:

We have been professionally installing epoxy garage floors since 2004.

From your pictures it appears that the coating was a paint or cheap one-part water based epoxy. Obviously there are hot tire pickup issues and evidence of water pop up along the crack lines.

You should be able to rent a 7" diamond cup grinder with attached vacuum locally. It will take off the paint and create a porous surface for a quality epoxy to grab onto. Also rent a 4" grinder with a thin diamond blade or 'crack-chasing' blade and grind out the cracks to a depth of about 3/8". A thicker, deeper patch on concrete is always stronger than a thin one. Fill the cracks and holes with n acrylic-modified concrete patch material which has little or no sand. Smooth with a wide flexible concrete trowel or even a wide plastic putty knife. You may need to use the grinder for smoothing after the material cures (usually about an hour).

My guys are well experienced in surface prep and can usually do a 2 car garage in 1 1/2 - 2 hours. You should easily be able to accomplish it in one day and kick back with a cold drink in the afternoon.

In addition to proper surface prep, the key to an attractive and long lasting epoxy floor is to use quality materials. We use materials from Versatile Building Products at www.garagecoatings.com. Have never had any problems with them and the company has DIY kits with the same quality products as professionals use. Note: they have a lifetime warranty against the epoxy peeling up. The clear sealer is extremely tough and has a high gloss.

If you want extra traction in the sealer, VBP also carries a product called Rhino Grip. It comes in 30, 60 and 90 grit versions. Using more or less will give you traction varying from 200 grit sand paper up to something you wouldn't want to scrape your knee across.

For more information on epoxy garage floors and installation suggestions, check out our web site at www.squidoo.com/epoxygaragefloors.

California Concrete Restoration
[email protected]

 

[Interex]

Interesting thread. How does the RaceDeck hold up to metal casters from hoists and engine stands? I frequently pull motors so there is quite a bit of pressure on the casters of my equipment.

I'm also considering getting a MaxJax. Will it roll very well on these tiles?

 

[sxapeal]

Im with Interex. Do tell.

 

[peterp]

I was facing the same decision of epoxy versus racedeck. My initial preference was epoxy because I didn't like the idea of tiles sitting on the floor (thought it would have the wrong feel when walking on it), but I ended up going the racedeck route out of concern of epoxy durability and because my concrete floor was really rough.

Fast-forward to now, I am really glad I went the racedeck route even though it felt like a compromise at the time. The tiles make it very easy and comfortable to lie on the floor versus cold concrete and I enjoy working in the garage 1000 times more now. I regularly mop it with the racedeck cleaner and occasionally treat it with their conditioner and it's just been great, I have no hesitation walking barefoot on the garage floor most of the time. Other advantages are the you can take it with you if you move and replacing a damaged tile is trivial (hasn't happened, but there is no need to worry if it ever does). This was the thread where I was pondering the same question: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41666).

 

[sxapeal]

I am getting the vibe that this racedeck product is amazing! I like the look and the options, but I am worried that with an engine on a hoist trying to move it across the floor will either lift/shift the tiles or potentially crack the tiles. I am building a new three car tandem that will be done in august.

Being that I will have fresh concrete down It may be ideal to to an epoxy floor, but the racedeck rave on here has me very interested. Input?

 

[Interex]

I found these reviews:

http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/racedeck.html

http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6files/racedeckreview.pdf

I think I'm going to stick with Epoxy. Just seems like I'd end up damaging these tiles left and right.

 

[mikeyr]

The only time I damaged a Racedeck with a engine hoist was when I pulled a really heavy old cast iron motor and left it on the hoist for a few weeks, all 4 casters had dented the tiles. It was a cheap HF hoist and had small steel casters, my new less cheap HF host has larger wheels and has not left any marks on my tiles. What I have learned after what must be about 10 years of Racedeck in my garage (I should check the date someday), is that as long as the caster is about 3" dia. or bigger and about 1" or wider, it will not harm the tiles, its the really small wheels that dimple the tiles. My floor jacks have never harmed the tiles even when holding up a car for a few days (I did have jack stands but the weight was off of them).

My lathe which must weigh over a 1,000lbs as the shipping weight was 1,200lbs is on my tiles bolted to a welded table and the table legs have not harmed the tiles at all and the legs don't have very big "feet" on them as they are adjustable to get it level.

You can move anything without damage, it rolls nicely on the tiles. I doubt you could crack a tile (I would say that its impossible but some people here are geniuses at breaking things). My scissor lift had my GMC Sierra on it for 3 weeks on the tiles and did not harm the tiles in any way, my 4post sat on the tiles for 7 or 8 years with no damage to the tiles but these items have footprints bigger than a few square inches.

I have not had any issues with grinding but MIG welding splatter or Plasma splatter cutting melts the tiles faster than you can say "oh poop", TIG is not a problem.

 

[mikeyr]

I found these reviews:

http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/racedeck.html

http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6files/racedeckreview.pdf

I think I'm going to stick with Epoxy. Just seems like I'd end up damaging these tiles left and right.

HEY the PDF review is ME, I AM the President of the Singer Owners Club, well I was when I wrote that anyway and singercars.com is my website, that is my review of my floor in my old garage. Wow the web is a small world.

So, ok, let me ask a question now, what was it about my review which I wrote many years ago that dissuaded you from Racedeck, I mentioned the same problems in the review that I mentioned here already and now another 5 years after that review I still love the floor and I still think its the best thing I ever did to my garage. I should post pics of my new garage, its much bigger than my old one and much less cluttered, but I took my floor with me

Or what it the other review that talked you out of it ? I see his jack stands complaint and yeah those stands could harm the tiles they don't have big enough "feet" my stands have 2" or 3" diameter feet welded to the legs and will not harm/dimple my tiles at all. I did not say the tiles are perfect and wont require some thinking when working in the shop but its minor and worth the comfort, even with 2 lifts I still don't mind getting on my back and working on the tiles.

 

[Interex]

HEY the PDF review is ME, I AM the President of the Singer Owners Club, well I was when I wrote that anyway and singercars.com is my website, that is my review of my floor in my old garage. Wow the web is a small world.

So, ok, let me ask a question now, what was it about my review which I wrote many years ago that dissuaded you from Racedeck, I mentioned the same problems in the review that I mentioned here already and now another 5 years after that review I still love the floor and I still think its the best thing I ever did to my garage. I should post pics of my new garage, its much bigger than my old one and much less cluttered, but I took my floor with me

Or what it the other review that talked you out of it ? I see his jack stands complaint and yeah those stands could harm the tiles they don't have big enough "feet" my stands have 2" or 3" diameter feet welded to the legs and will not harm/dimple my tiles at all. I did not say the tiles are perfect and wont require some thinking when working in the shop but its minor and worth the comfort, even with 2 lifts I still don't mind getting on my back and working on the tiles.

Too cool! The web is a small world!

Reading both reviews, it kind of makes me think that while the tiles are made very well, I just don't like the fact that they compress. When I've got a 200 lbs transmission on a ****** jack with 1" wheels, the last thing I need is the tiles to start dimpling and me struggling to push a jack around. I love having hard and smooth surface to roll my equipment around. Additionally, I noticed a mention of cleaning requirements if you've got lighter colored tiles. One of the main reasons I'm going with a 100% solids epoxy floor is the fact that spills are easily wiped up and a quick shot with a garden hose will take care of dirt and grime. I understand I could go with black tiles, but I really like the look of the gray epoxy floors I've seen on here.

 

[mikeyr]

When I've got a 200 lbs transmission on a ****** jack with 1" wheels, the last thing I need is the tiles to start dimpling and me struggling to push a jack around.

I think you have a slight misunderstanding here, it will take a hell of a lot more than 200lbs on a small ****** jack wheels to dimple the floor and make it hard to move around, yes that will do it over a few days but to do it right away, you have add some 0's to that 200.

The tiles are hard and they are not that fragile, drive on over and bring your ****** jack and ******, move it around on my floor, leave it here while you take the wife up on a wine country tour and come back you still will not see dimples, leave it here a few weeks (please don't) and you will see a few dimples from those small casters.

Or call Racedeck and gets some samples, they are free and try it yourself. I don't know what kind of samples they send you may have to get 4 tiles to try a gearbox jack but the samples will give you a good idea.

 

[Interex]

Yea, I think I like the idea of getting some samples from them.

I'll see how they fair up through some torture testing of my own.

 

[UPSHIFT]

Interesting thread. How does the RaceDeck hold up to metal casters from hoists and engine stands? I frequently pull motors so there is quite a bit of pressure on the casters of my equipment.

I'm also considering getting a MaxJax. Will it roll very well on these tiles?

Interex,

The MaxJax will roll on the Race Deck flooring without a problem. We have some Race Deck installed in our R&D area and it is as good and durable as they say it is. Hope this helps..

 

[Interex]

Interex,

The MaxJax will roll on the Race Deck flooring without a problem. We have some Race Deck installed in our R&D area and it is as good and durable as they say it is. Hope this helps..

That's exactly what I needed to know! Thanks!

 

[mat_GTI-R]

I'm still debating between epoxy and racedeck and where I hesitate is water/liquid penetration between the tiles...

during winter I'll be bringing in snow/slush/salt on my tires which will melt and eventually penetrate between the tiles. With an epoxy this issue can be easily washed away with a hose.... but with racedeck tiles... just not sure :-\

 

[mikeyr]

The water issue has been answered MANY times, its not a problem. Very little water will make it between the tiles and because they are off the ground there is plenty of air to dry things off.

 

[mat_GTI-R]

I know the water issue has been answered... but didn't find any info about racedeck used during winter climates.

 

[Rockaholic555]

mat, the issue is on their website via the video testimonials. It's also been talked about here a lot. The tolerance on the tiles is pretty tight and like mikeyr said since the tiles are off the ground even if a bit makes it under them it will dry up.

 

[z28toz06]

I will eventually do racedeck. In the meantime I did the rustoleum epoxy. it will surely protect the floor now and later when its underneath the racedeck.

 

[q20v]

Hey guys, I just posted some pictures of my racedeck abuse. Check them out here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64245

And, I have had this Audi S4 Quattro transmission sitting on a ****** jack for the past 4 months. Small wheels and no dents. Rolls around the same as if it was on a bare concrete floor.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Wingnut65]

Thanks for the pictures q20v. They really show that you haven't pampered your floor at all.

I just got my sample RaceDeck tile and info in the mail today. I am impressed. The amount of reinforcing they have on the bottom makes this a rigid and solid feel tile. I can see that the locking devices will keep a very tight joint. No wonder water doesn't seep thru. This sample just confirms all the compliments this flooring has received.

Now I just need to finish my plans and wait for the budget approval and financing to be released...

jeff

 

[TONE]

Post #6..............I answered it.

I know the water issue has been answered... but didn't find any info about racedeck used during winter climates.

 

[peterp]

Curious if others are using the Racedeck cleaner and particularly the conditioner products. They aren't well advertised on the Racedeck website, so I suspect many aren't aware, but they make a large difference in maintaining the "like new" look of the tile even under abuse. Their cleaning product is pretty good, though I suspect other floor cleaners would work as well; but the conditioner makes a large difference -- it puts a coat over the tiles so they look great and cleanup is far easier. The conditioner is pretty durable and is easy to apply (just mops on), so it's only necessary to do once every few months but it makes a big difference.

I don't think you will find it listed on the website, but you can order it by phoning Racedeck. If you've never used the conditioner, you will see a significant difference in the look of the tile and simplified clean-up by trying it.

 

[TONE]

Peter............

I got some rejuvenator from them awhile back and it works awesome in giving it the new look.

Do you know if this a different product, or a name change?

 

[peterp]

Peter............

I got some rejuvenator from them awhile back and it works awesome in giving it the new look.

Do you know if this a different product, or a name change?

Actually, I just took a look at the website and it looks like the Rejuvenator is different from what I'm using. The cleaning products are listed at the bottom of this page: http://www.racedeck.com/acc.html

I am using the "All Purpose Cleaner" (as a cleaner) and the "restore" as the conditioner. It's a little difficult to tell the functional difference from the what's written on their site, but from the description of "Rejuvenator" it sounds like a stronger cleaner than the APC I'm using. It sounds like Rejuvenator strips the coating -- so maybe Rejuvenator is intended to be used before the Restore that I'm using. If I'm interpreting it correctly, Rejuvenator will clean it really well, but it sounds like you need to use Restore to restore the acrylic coating (which makes it look better and easier to clean).

 

[Mr Mushman]

Hello monteperformance

Having just finished my garage built and installed floors a few weeks ago, I would definitely recommend going with Racedecks or similar interlocking garage tiles. The final result is very nice, you can change the design if for some reason you get tired of it and if you were to move you can take it with you. I know that in my old garage I had problems with my old concrete floors and even though I acid washed it and treated the floors after it was all said and one, even though it looked great the first few weeks, it started peeling in some places and got pretty bad, that's when I got the tiles and it's been great ever since. The great thing with racedecks is that you can design you own garage floor plans and play with the colors, the different styles and put together your own design.

You will find below pix of the install in my new mancave ...

 

[monteperformance]

Wow, Mr Mushman that mancave looks huge! At this point I am pretty set on the racedeck. I have to say the biggest influence for me was seeing/helping with my Dad's racedeck floor installation. It was just so nice in person. Plus my friend did an 100% solids epoxy in his garage last year and is having tire lifting problems and he wants to redo it now. Not trying to knock epoxy though, I do really like nice epoxy floors and I wish I had one. But doing the prep correctly is just SO critical, in my opinion. Knowing my luck, I would have problems if I did it myself, lol. And also the time issue. I have been in the house 5 years and this painted floor I have just keeps getting worse and worse. I have too many other projects going on now, so doing the racedeck in one day (hopefully) will work out to be just what I need. Thanks for all the replies and keep them coming! Here is a pic of my Dad's new Racedeck floor.

 

[Squirlz]

I was thinking of having a floor drain put into the floor of my soon-to-be-built 3 or 4 car garage. How would you do this with Racedeck?

 

[TONE]

freeflow tile over drain

I was thinking of having a floor drain put into the floor of my soon-to-be-built 3 or 4 car garage. How would you do this with Racedeck?