VCT protection for shop

[razok]

Long time observer. 1st time posting. You guys have been a great resource while I've build my garage/shop over the last year.
I just installed 840 SF of 1/8 armstrong VCT on the 2nd floor of my garage that will be a woodworking area. It is brand new and has no sealer on it yet. It appaers to have some micro porosity to allow for some penetration. I have been studying in regards on how to seal and protect the stuff so that I dont have to strip/buff the typical acrylic fortified floor product. I already realize that Armstrong voids any warranty if I decide to venture into anything other than their S495 and S480 sealer polish products but I picked up this tile on Craigslist really cheap so Im not too concerned with that.
I am looking for decent resistance to occasional paint thinner spills and abrasion/scratch resistance that can be expected in woodworking environment(building cedar strip canoes)
I plan to do some testing with some water based polyurethane made for wood floors. I picked up a $40 gal of Parks Pro Finisher and was going to try that on a scrap pc of the tile. I have no idea how that will work on tile and it says nothing about NOT using on tile but the product is advertised for use on wood. I have looked at some of the epoxy products posted on here but that would cost several times what I have in the tile itself. Does anyone have any other ideas?

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have the same tile in one of my laundromats. I have had a rep from Armstrong to the store twice. My floor looks like ****. When it was initially installed (not by me, but a licensed floor guy) 3 coats of sealer were put down. Almost immediately I had issues with discoloration. Armstrong said it could possibly be an algae issue with the particular batch, but then backed off. Ultimately they said it wasn't their issue. I can't strip it or bleach it. It's a white tile, but looks brown from almost day 1.

Obviously you got a good deal on it so no worries. Me on the other hand I am out 3k between the tile, adhesive, and sealers. When I pull it up I am sending it all back to Armstrong to dispose of. Not happy with their support, service, or lack knowledge about their own product.

 

[Shea]

Some people have had good results with applying clear epoxy with a polyurethane top coat. We have an article about that here. Not everyone had been successful however due to inferior product or bad prep. You will want to work closely with your epoxy vendor of choice when doing this.

 

[razok]

Thanks for the comments guys. I have to make sure I do some good tests B4 putting anything down on the floor especially since Ill probably have to go rouge here because I dont expect any Mfg to tell me I can put their polyeruthane onto my tile. I have read about some guys putting Minwax Polycrylic on it but that stuff is not reccomended for floors so that concerns me a bit. Im figuring the water based may be best and have the least risk of dissaster.
I read the article that Shea mentioned above but I can't see spending the money on the epoxy for brand new tile only to apply a coat of the polyurethane on top of the epoxy.