This is an awesome thread worthy of a sticky. I don’t understand why searching on “VCT” results in zero matches, yet there are tons of threads on the topic. This is one of my favorites so far.
Also, I’m really sold on the single color over the checkerboard pattern… nothing against the checkerboards, just my opinion. I’m thinking solid color with a boarder or something. Anyone have pictures or other ideas?

What do you seal it with so water does not get between the seams?
A week or so after the install (cars remained outside in my driveway during this period) I applied a coating of Armstrong S-495 Floor Sealer.
Then a day later I laid down 3 coats of S-480 Floor Polish, using a sponge mop.
That was it.
A couple times a year I mop clean my VCT floor with S-485 Cleaner, diluted with warm water and when its dry I refresh the shine with a single application of the polish.
Last year I stripped the finish off using S-490 Commercial VCT Stripper and a rental machine from Home Depot.
After a good cleaning (S-485) I applied 3 more coats of S-480 Polish.
This may sound like a lot of work but it isn't. It takes me under 10 minutes to either mop clean the floor or apply a layer of polish. I have never used a floor polisher, just let it air dry to a real nice shine.
I have had zero problems with tiles lifting or cracking.
Glad to see my thread helping other's out!!!Very nice looking floor.
I purchased my house (with existing shop) and the floor had been mopped with a grey sealer. For whatever reason the sealer was coming up all over the place, so I decided to go with VCT.
It has been down now for 6 years and still looks good. The only issue I have is with the polishing. I initually used a wax from Home Depot and it looked great for a while but scratched very easy and became dull.
I have noticed if you park a vehicle over the white tiles for an extended perior of time they will discolor.
I finally found a professional who came in stripped the floor and covered with some sort of plastic covering???? He comes back every 3 months and does his magic and they look great again.
Cheers!
Mickm
Thanks Dipper,
Clear epoxy? I was aware you could seal it this way. What brand would you recommend and how does this work? Do you still have to buff?
Cheers!
Mickm
From what I've read on here, you sand with 80 grit and then put a clear epoxy down. A few on here will recommend Wolverine. I would talk to alphagarage on the board here (he sells wolverine). I have not done epoxy yet, so I have no first hand experience.
glanced through but not sure if anyone said it or not. to help with cutting, use one of those small propane hand torches to heat up the tile first then cut it.
Hey Dipper,
Great thread, I'm in Rochester also and in the same boat as you going to heat the garage and can't empty the whole thing out. Your floor looks great. Going to go price the tile this weekend. Are you going to seal with epoxy? If so can you do half at a time?
Thanks for all the great info.
I have a Question about VCT. Is there any concrete prep besides a very good cleaning?
When I painted the trim inside of my garage I did not think ahead and sprayed the trim and got overspray on the floor.Will the glue stick to the overspray or do I need to remove the paint? Thank's.

How do these things hold up to loaded jack's and jack stands?
