VCT tile now done. Looks great!

[Dragster Racer]

So, asides from race car tires, jack stands, engine stands, car rollers, cutting and welding, and a spilled fluid now and then from brake cleaner to brake fluid and more, vct should be perfect for my shop. Great!
LOL. I am destined for an ugly floor.

 

[Jason B]

No, not at all. Just use leftover pieces of vct and put under a jack if you are worried.

 

[Jason B]

Another update! I've had my VCT tile in my garage for over 12 years! I've haven't waxed it yet, just the standard coating that came from armstrong. It's in great shape and never got wet once. Just never go around to waxing it. Also, never had any issues with yellowing except with one brand of tire, but Michelin rubber doesn't seem to leave marks on the tile, maybe after waxing it will? maybe not.

Anyway, I have a pro guy coming to do the floors with a buffer and pads etc, and I didn't know if I need to do something before he comes to remove a few black tire skid marks than I can't get off and a yellow tire tread mark on 1-2 tiles. Advice? Or will what he's doing remove all this? Or what should I do beforehand....

I will of course come back with photos after the wax which I'm told is going to blow me away.

 

[gungatim]

the wax is going to blow you away...seriously. had mine done and was like a ballroom floor. the buffer should take out the marks, he should have scotchbrite pads for that before he buffs and waxes.

my wax job lasted for a good 7 years in my woodshop, I wouldn't pay to have it done again but a buddy did it for free the first time so unless I wanted a showroom or something it's kinda overkill.

 

[Jason B]

Cool! Yes. I’m excited to see it. Will post pics. I was also told it will be much brighter. I was toying with the idea of during clear epoxy over it but scared if it’s not done perfect could cause a huge mess later! So wax prob best as it’s not high traffic.

 

[FJ4FUN]

The clear epoxy & urethane application is very easy once the VCT is stripped and scuffed!

 

[Jason B]

The clear epoxy & urethane application is very easy once the VCT is stripped and scuffed!

Well you’re also selling the product. I’ve had urethane and epoxy in other properties and if it’s not a perfect sound install and the temps/humidity isn’t right it can be a nightmare. In a perfect world where there is a capable installer I’d recommend it but 99% of people with vct will do wax as it’s just easy.

 

[Jason B]

Before/after

 

[stioc]

Well you’re also selling the product. I’ve had urethane and epoxy in other properties and if it’s not a perfect sound install and the temps/humidity isn’t right it can be a nightmare. In a perfect world where there is a capable installer I’d recommend it but 99% of people with vct will do wax as it’s just easy.

I think he meant applying urethane and clear epoxy on top of VCT as an alternative to buffing/waxing it- but I could be wrong.

 

[stioc]

Before/after

Looks great especially considering it's 12yrs old! it looks brand new. Have you done welding/grinding on this floor by any chance?

 

[Jason B]

Looks great especially considering it's 12yrs old! it looks brand new. Have you done welding/grinding on this floor by any chance?

A little of both, not a ton. I think this floor is better than any other option. Why? Looks great, inexpensive, and if you mess up a tile, super easy to replace one. The classic black & white just looks super expensive and is tough. All my other friends have tried just about every option for a garage floor and they all said they wished they did it like mine.

 

[gungatim]

told 'ya it would look like a dance floor,, LOL.

nice thing is, you can have it polished and waxed as often as you want, unlike a lot of coatings. maintains just like a commercial bldg. or retail store, you get a lot of life out of those tiles and they're easy to replace as needed...

 

[Notgrownup]

I think I will do my attached garage like this, I sell wax so I can probably get a sample box from my supplier for free.

 

[Jason B]

Correct. Thanks. And my good friend says if he comes over Monday and hits it with his buffer polishing pad it will really looks amazing. he wants to do that Monday and then follow up with one more coat of wax on top after he does with the polishing pad. I think it’s an inside trick, he does floors for a living. I guess I should do it if it’s going to make it even shinier, hopefully not too slippery .

 

[pbon]

That VCT tile garage looks great! Is it daily use — driving in and out, rain and snow, working on cars, rolling floor jacks around, etc? Or is it just for storing a collector car or two?

 

[estcstm3]

how slippery is that when wet?

 

[Jason B]

Missed these replies. Use every day. Don't think it's slippery at all. I think depending on the wax you use too. I didn't have it waxes for years, you don't have to, but the wax makes it look awesome.

 

[Notgrownup]

Most finish manufacturing companies have a slip coefficient built in the finish, most do any way...Spartan and Diversey(was Johnson was) do.

 

[MAT1inTX]

Jason B: It looks great. I am going to copy the 2x2 black/white checkerboard. I just bought my Armstrong tile and plan to install in a few weeks. May I ask what specific (brand and model number if possible) glue you used for the aluminum threshold piece?

 

[Jason B]

Jason B: It looks great. I am going to copy the 2x2 black/white checkerboard. I just bought my Armstrong tile and plan to install in a few weeks. May I ask what specific (brand and model number if possible) glue you used for the aluminum threshold piece?

I saw your other post and looks good. Glad you got it done. You just can't be VCT for the price, look, and ease of install. You don't need to prep and it can go over just about anything.

 

[Jason B]

I have to say this floor is loved by all. Nothing is classier than a shiny floor that feels solid as a rock, virtually no prep needed, and is super reasonable.

 

[The Alchemist]

I know this is an old thread that I'm resurrecting, but I'm moving into a new home soon with a 31x22 garage that has an 8x10 bump out space. I'd like to do a vct floor with the 2'x2' squares. I saw on the big box stores sites that they sell 'peel and stick' tiles, would you still recommend using an epoxy adhesive?

Thanks.

 

[cderalow]

I know this is an old thread that I'm resurrecting, but I'm moving into a new home soon with a 31x22 garage that has an 8x10 bump out space. I'd like to do a vct floor with the 2'x2' squares. I saw on the big box stores sites that they sell 'peel and stick' tiles, would you still recommend using an epoxy adhesive?

Thanks.

skip the big box 'peel and stick' ones and get the commercial rated vct.

the peel and stick tend to be thinner, and the adhesives aren't as strong. commercial VCT will stay down against most residential traffic for decades (there's a reason its the typical flooring in most institutional settings).

It'll take some serious abuse.

it's about $0.20 more per tile in the long run, but worth every penny.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Armstro...Vinyl-Tile-45-sq-ft-carton-51899031/100078757

 

[Jason B]

I know this is an old thread that I'm resurrecting, but I'm moving into a new home soon with a 31x22 garage that has an 8x10 bump out space. I'd like to do a vct floor with the 2'x2' squares. I saw on the big box stores sites that they sell 'peel and stick' tiles, would you still recommend using an epoxy adhesive?

Thanks.

No I'd never do that. It will never last. Peel and Stick will never be as good as glue.

 

[The Alchemist]

Great, thank you both for the heads up. I was looking at Home depot's site the other day, and was more than happy with the one that was $0.72 sq/ft. $0.80 for a better product, even if I have to buy adhesive is perfectly fine. I want it done right, but having it readily available is also a selling point.

 

[Jason B]

Yep. I'm the creator of this thread and 13 years with VCT installed in the garage and looks incredible. Nothing looks better, especially with a gloss on it.

 

[mx500]

Yep. I'm the creator of this thread and 13 years with VCT installed in the garage and looks incredible. Nothing looks better, especially with a gloss on it.

how do you think it would be when wet from snow?

 

[Notgrownup]

Most decent floor finish manufacturing add a slip resistant product in the finish. I sell Spartan Chemicals at work and this comes from them. Keep in mind that any water or oil will change the game on any surface so be careful.

 

[sqyards]

looks great.. vct will last forever if taken care of.. in south fla. schools have had it forever. most of them would strip and reseal in the summer.. was like a new floor every year..

 

[Jason B]

looks great.. vct will last forever if taken care of.. in south fla. schools have had it forever. most of them would strip and reseal in the summer.. was like a new floor every year..

Yep! It's awesome. Definitely the best looking floor money can buy. Well, for your garage that is

 

[ArmchairArchitect]

If I have a 4 post lift, is it better to put the vinyl flooring under the lift posts, or cut around them?

 

[pbon]

I’d put it under. Won’t hurt and will look cleaner.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Just re-read this entire thread. Moving into a new house with an actual FLAT concrete floor with a good, non oil stained floor. A first in my lifetime.

The slab in my current (soon to be old) house is cracked and heaved and it always bothered me. I have always wanted to have a nice looking garage and since I no longer do much mechanical work in mine (ok, oil change & brake job here and there) now is the time to make my garage a show place for my finished '55 Chevy truck.

I'm going to do the 4x4 black & white pattern. I haven't decided if I'll do it square to the floor or canted 45* just for a different look. Moving in around April 1st (yeah, Fool's Day!) and it'll happen sometime after that. Pics will be coming in a couple months.

 

[Jason B]

Just re-read this entire thread. Moving into a new house with an actual FLAT concrete floor with a good, non oil stained floor. A first in my lifetime.

The slab in my current (soon to be old) house is cracked and heaved and it always bothered me. I have always wanted to have a nice looking garage and since I no longer do much mechanical work in mine (ok, oil change & brake job here and there) now is the time to make my garage a show place for my finished '55 Chevy truck.

I'm going to do the 4x4 black & white pattern. I haven't decided if I'll do it square to the floor or canted 45* just for a different look. Moving in around April 1st (yeah, Fool's Day!) and it'll happen sometime after that. Pics will be coming in a couple months.

Very cool. I'm the original poster of this thread I'd do the classic square, it looks way better to me. ANd do the 4 tiles for bigger squares. I also wanted to see full tiles when entering through the garage, so did my chalk line there. Just looks better to me opening the garage seeing full tiles.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi Jason,

I've been around here long enough that I remember when you first posted this thread! What impresses me most is that it's in place for 13 years without a problem. And without wax! In my home growing up we had VCT in an emerald green. Very nice for the 1950's. My mom would wax it and she'd have us kids put on clean socks and shuffle around polishing it. It actually worked. Years later she bought a small, two head floor polisher thatI had in my garage for many years and finally tossed it - DAMN!

Totally agree the 4x4 squares are much better looking than the 1x1 pattern. Too "busy" looking. My "new" garage is (I think) 22x24. Not big at all by today's standards but so much bigger than my 18x18 current one built in 1926.

After re-reading I saw you used a 1/8" thick flat aluminum bar from Home Cheapo as a threshold. Then later someone posted they'd found an actual aluminum door threshold in 8 foot lengths. I like yours because it is simple and flat. But I know a metal supply place in downtown LA that MIGHT be able to sell me a 16 foot long piece. I'm thinking of just using Liquid Nails HD Construction Adhesive to hold it down. Is that how you fastened yours?

 

[Jason B]

Ha! very cool. Yep, you did pay attention and no wax for 13 years with no issues. Yes what you said will work on the aluminum bar

 

[SJMaye]

No I'd never do that. It will never last. Peel and Stick will never be as good as glue.

I know it is an old thread, but it is what I need to know. Are you saying stay away from peal and stick? To use flooring adhesive instead?

 

[Jason B]

skip the big box 'peel and stick' ones and get the commercial rated vct.

the peel and stick tend to be thinner, and the adhesives aren't as strong. commercial VCT will stay down against most residential traffic for decades (there's a reason its the typical flooring in most institutional settings).

It'll take some serious abuse.

it's about $0.20 more per tile in the long run, but worth every penny.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Armstro...Vinyl-Tile-45-sq-ft-carton-51899031/100078757

I wouldn't do that. It will never last. Peel and Stick will never be as good as glue. This VCT is the same as what's in Target, Wallmart, etc. It's proven and will last.

 

[SJMaye]

This VCT is the same as what's in Target, Wallmart, etc. It's proven and will last.

When you say "THIS" VCT is it different from the glue down VCT sold at HD or Lowes?

 

[Jason B]

When you say "THIS" VCT is it different from the glue down VCT sold at HD or Lowes?

Not sure what you mean. It's the same stuff in Target, Walmart, etc. Commercial VCT tile.