VCT Tiles and Two Post Lifts

[e36alpine]

Hi, I've been reading in circles on this forum (which is great btw), but I think I should go with VCT tiles for my 24x44 garage. The biggest concern I have is with the tiles shifting or moving. I will be getting my two post lift in the spring and I'm a little worried that the tiles where the tires are going to be constantly pushed and pulled from the car going up and down are going to move and look like ****. Are tiles moving still an issue with a good glue? Also I like the idea of being able to replace tiles if/when I ruin them so I don't plan on epoxying over the tiles. Just a sealer of some sort I guess. Opinions welcome!

Thanks, Greg

 

[rburke65]

I can be of no help to you on the VCT, but I know that most garages look great when done. I wouldn't think that the tiles would get that much torque....but I could be wrong. By the way, Welcome to Garage Journal!

 

[e36alpine]

Thanks! Yeah I think I'm more worried about the tiles moving than how they'll hold up. Although I will be doing cutting/welding on cars and motorcycles, I don't mind putting something down to not burn the floor. And if I do I'll just repalce a couple tiles. I'm more doing it so when I'm pulling a motor and dump a gallon of antifreeze on accident I can wipe/mop it up.

 

[AmericanGarageFloor]

Thanks! Yeah I think I'm more worried about the tiles moving than how they'll hold up. Although I will be doing cutting/welding on cars and motorcycles, I don't mind putting something down to not burn the floor. And if I do I'll just repalce a couple tiles. I'm more doing it so when I'm pulling a motor and dump a gallon of antifreeze on accident I can wipe/mop it up.

VCT is certainly going to be your least expensive option. I just question if you would not be better off with a good coating or even a PVC tile with a watertight seal.

Sounds like a nice garage! Make sure you post some pics when you are done!

 

[e36alpine]

VCT is certainly going to be your least expensive option. I just question if you would not be better off with a good coating or even a PVC tile with a watertight seal.

Sounds like a nice garage! Make sure you post some pics when you are done!

I've read so many stories of people that their epoxy didn't hold up that it worries me. Plus if I do ruin it welding I don't want to have to redo a whole section. The PVC flooring is too rich for my blood. I have about 1000sqft so at $4 a tile I can't afford it.

 

[AmericanGarageFloor]

I've read so many stories of people that their epoxy didn't hold up that it worries me. Plus if I do ruin it welding I don't want to have to redo a whole section. The PVC flooring is too rich for my blood. I have about 1000sqft so at $4 a tile I can't afford it.

We do not sell epoxy and sealers at this time, but I think if you take your time and do it right, or have it professionally done it could work well for you. Lots of good sources on here for that.

I get the $4 a square foot thing especially with a shop that large. A lot of people on the forum have had good luck with VCT. I have always stayed away from it myself but others have had great success.

American Garage Floor

 

[GreggW30]

Isn't there a stronger, industrial type of epoxy flooring available? I would look into something like that too before settling on tiles.

 

[e36alpine]

Isn't there a stronger, industrial type of epoxy flooring available? I would look into something like that too before settling on tiles.

Yes, I know there are some pretty good industrial epoxies out there, most of which people say to "do it right" has to be done by a professional. I'm sure I'm more then capable but there is still a "what if" factor. Like what if I screw up $1000 worth of epoxy haha. Also once you get some welding slag or something of the sort on it and burn it you're pretty much screwed looking at those burn marks until you redo the floor. I would rather be able to replace the tile. I've also looked at the porcelain tiles but I hate grout haha. I wish this was an easier decision. I was kind of hoping for someone to reply to this thread saying that they have vct and a two post lift and it's fine. No tile lifting etc. haha. We'll see. I have read that I could epoxy over the tiles to solve that but I'm not looking for a pretty floor. If I was going to put epoxy down I wouldn't bother with the tiles at all.

 

[e36alpine]

Anyone else have trouble with VCT tiles moving? I talked to the floor guy at my work (a hospital) and he said if I use they industrial glue they use that he can't see anything making them "slide" or move at all. Even with the pressure from car tires turning etc. Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[erok01]

You have a valid concern and it could happen. Not sure what could be done to prevent it other than laying down a thin piece of sheet metal where the tires would touch. I also use the thin sheet metal under jack stands because the weight of the car will leave indentations and perforate the tile. The nice thing about the VCT is that you can always just replace the tile for $.50 if need be.

When welding it is a good idea to throw something over the tile, the slag can and will leave burn marks on the tile.

When i did my floor i used black and white tiles. In hindsight i would of used a darker color like grey instead of the white. It does tend to get dirty and yellow over time. But the black looks as good as the day i installed it. And i've had my tile down for as long as i've been a member here.

Hope that helps!

 

[HiHoSilver]

I installed VCT in my garage in 2008, tile holds up well. No movement at all, they will dent, gouge, cut if you drop something heavy with an edge. Tool box casters did leave a couple dimples in The tile after sitting in one spot for a while.
Not sure how well it will hold up to welding slag etc....only draw back it can think of is that tires will stain the tile even after floor wax is applied (only stains under the contact patch once the car/truck is parked for a while.
VCT does seem to require more maintenance to keep clean because of having to strip, clean and rewax.

Next floor I do will be an epoxy coating.

Just my two cents
Btw. I wash all of my cars in the garage on a regular basis, water does not seem to bother the glue, just make sure you use a good quality glue

Good luck
Post picture when you are done

 

[SteveB]

Installed VCT in my 500 sq ft garage in 2006. In spite of my wife's habit of cranking on the steering wheel when her car is already parked in the garage still no signs of tiles having moved, lifted or cracked.

 

[premis]

For what it's worth, we used VCT tiles in our first race trailer. The tiles where the tool box sat and where the wheels of the race bike sat were destroyed in short time. Of course, you can imagine how much vibration and movement they experienced going down the road.

 

[e36alpine]

Thanks for all the replies. Now I'm just trying to find a good deal on tiles.

 

[e30 Memorial]

Are tiles moving still an issue with a good glue? Also I like the idea of being able to replace tiles if/when I ruin them so I don't plan on epoxying over the tiles.

I used VCT for the repairability aspect. Yes, I had a one problem with a tile buckling when my son lowered his Mustang with brand new super soft tires, but that was the only time. I used Henry's adhesive. Now I just use a spare tile under tires when lowering a car to prevent a repeat.

One stupid thing I did was to spray Oil Eater on the floor after my son made a huge mess during an oil change. After I sprayed and before I started wiping it up I realized what a ******* stunt that was. Yup, took up all the wax off the floor.:tard:

The best price I found on tile was from Lowes. I refuse to deal with the stinking Idiots at the Depot.

 

[e36alpine]

Thanks for the reply. I'm pretty sure at this point I will either be doing the VCT or Porcelain. Whichever I find a good deal on first I guess. As a side note....LOVE the car haha. I have a 98 m3 coupe that I put a turbo in. Its around 575whp right now until I get it retuned =). But the e30 M3's are sooooo classic. Awsome pics