Waxing a smooth power trowled concrete floor

[tfdcruiser]

I did a search and only found this thread http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6256&highlight=waxing and no one really answered his question. I pretty much have the same desire. I just finished my 30 x 50 shop and it currently has a smooth power trowled finish that is otherwise unprotected. The finish is pretty smooth right now and I don't want to have to diamond grind it further. My biggest concern is just having an oil resistant surface. This is going to be a working garage with lots of welding, dragging and fabrication. Is there a known wax or sealant that can be applied and buffed on just to seal up the pores in the concrete and make it oil and stain resistant? I don't mind having to reapply annually or even bi-annually. I don't want any fancy epoxy coatings or colors. I just want to be able to wipe or soak up an oil spill and not have it leave a stain. I lake the idea of a wax or liquid sealant that will fill the pours rather than sit on top of the concrete that can get scratched and peel off. Thanks.

 

[cat06]

I worked in a aircraft hanger that had a waxed floor. It was nice, easy to keep clean, We put a new couple coats of wax on it every couple years. This was a govt facility that got alot of use.

I'd recommend talking to a commercial flooring / cleaning product rep or supply house, I know we just didn't use the run of the mill grocery /hardware store bought wax.

 

[tfdcruiser]

Hey thanks for the reply anyone else with waxed concrete floor experience? I really want to know about the application/buffing method and any brands you would recommend. Thanks, Don

 

[Kevin54]

We use this at work in my department. It will last 6-12 months in the high traffic areas and depending on how much traffic it gets. Just mop it onto a clean floor. It will ruin a mop head though. Dries kind of like a plastic. Nothing seems to affect it much other than wear. Any oils will wipe right up. We get it through Grainger and it is $99 for 5 gallons. 5 gallons does something like 2000 sq. ft. Also it is water based and no odor. But it does not compare to an epoxy floor, just to let you know. All it is, is a floor sealant.

 

[tfdcruiser]

wow! now that was the reply I was looking for , product with specific details and where to get it and with a picture even. You deserve an award. I will probably go this route and I even have a grainger right down the road from me. One question is it shiney or dull doesn't really matter but I would prefer shiney. thanks again for any and all replies.

 

[nate379]

I'm doing epoxy on my floor. Not worth it for me to go buy a floor buffer.

 

[Kevin54]

wow! now that was the reply I was looking for , product with specific details and where to get it and with a picture even. You deserve an award. I will probably go this route and I even have a grainger right down the road from me. One question is it shiney or dull doesn't really matter but I would prefer shiney. thanks again for any and all replies.

It is high gloss. Also when applying it, it looks like thinned milk with a purple cast to it, but dries clear. If spread evenly it takes approximately 2 hours to dry completely.

 

[dodgepolara500]

When it dries, is it really slippery when wet? If the car brought in some water, I would hate to have the wife or kids slip on it when getting out of the car.
Thanks

We use this at work in my department. It will last 6-12 months in the high traffic areas and depending on how much traffic it gets. Just mop it onto a clean floor. It will ruin a mop head though. Dries kind of like a plastic. Nothing seems to affect it much other than wear. Any oils will wipe right up. We get it through Grainger and it is $99 for 5 gallons. 5 gallons does something like 2000 sq. ft. Also it is water based and no odor. But it does not compare to an epoxy floor, just to let you know. All it is, is a floor sealant.

 

[Kevin54]

When it dries, is it really slippery when wet? If the car brought in some water, I would hate to have the wife or kids slip on it when getting out of the car.
Thanks

I've never really noticed it to be, but then again, we don't have water on our floors. I would imagine it would be about like anything else though and be a little slick. Even wet concrete can be slippery given the right conditions.

 

[gtnrkix]

Thanks for the tip on Stonecoat! Grainger has this stuff on sale so I bought a couple gallons to try. Instructions say to use an application mop. I asked at Home Depot paint department for an "application mop"and the thought I was nuts! Can I use a sponge mop or a roller?

 

[Kevin54]

Thanks for the tip on Stonecoat! Grainger has this stuff on sale so I bought a couple gallons to try. Instructions say to use an application mop. I asked at Home Depot paint department for an "application mop"and the thought I was nuts! Can I use a sponge mop or a roller?

You could. We always used what I call a rope mop. If you use a sponge mop I would make sure it is larger than those little kitchen mops though.

 

[nate379]

They have 18" wide sponge mops at Lowe's. I bought one for cleaning the garage floor.

I have just used a rope mop when I waxed the floors at work. The stuff we had almost looked like Armor All, but it was floor wax. Just a plain jane gov label on it, so no idea on the brand or anything.

 

[clutch47]

Yo,
I work in a prison and we put floor wax similar to that on concrete all the time.The inmates put it on with a plain old bath towel folded in the mop handle. Comes out real smooth because there is no lint or any unevenness (sp?) caused by the mop strands. Do the edges first and then fill it in. Our floors take a BEATING and look great.
Clutch47

 

[gtnrkix]

Inmate, eh. I've got enough hoodlums and criminals hanging around my garage, maybe I need to put them to work!

 

[MrWhy19]

I've used a similar waxing sealer on a stained concrete interior home floor. It did markup easily when a chair or anything was dragged across it. Very visible on that floor because it was a dark stain. Regular rewaxing might restore it OK. Pretty slick when wet as I remember.