Welding and painting

[ejm1961Tbird]

What is the best treatment for a concrete floor in a garage that will see occasional welding and car painting?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Mel M]

Wouldn't a smooth finish on bare concrete be best for welding?

 

[fflintstone]

A basic sealer over concrete is best for welding (in my opinion). I assume you would want the same when you wet the floor for painting. The people that love epoxy will tell you to epoxy it and then use a welding blanket, kinda defeats the purpose if you ask me.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

simple sealer, you can always upgrade later.

 

[londonsteve]

yes simple sealer is best or just paint it, you'll be surprised how durable concrete paint is and can be touched up quickly and with different colours you can pick out different areas and walkways.

 

[trbomax]

I guess a clear sealer would be ok for a while. Ive had 2 floors in paint booths and even when you wet them down the overspray sticks, After a few overalls the floor is a mess anyway.We had one booth that was used for open molding (fiberglass chop/spray up), and we layed cardboard on it for about 6 months,but it would leak thru seams and edges,so we finally just let it go.Welding doesnt hurt it as much as cutting,I dont like to do that inside anyway,too much of a fire hazard.

 

[ejm1961Tbird]

Basic sealer it is. Thanks, Ed

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

I,I dont like to do that inside anyway,too much of a fire hazard.

Everytime I weld inside, I have a hard time getting to bed, constantly thinking, did a spark fly somewhere I didn't see. Same thing with the grinding.

Not worth the aggravation.

 

[BBDakota]

I will also be welding, burning, grinding in my shop. How slick will the sealer leave the surface (or, how easy is it to keep clean?)

 

[trbomax]

Depends on what the concrete surface is to start with. If it was hard troweled,it will be slick. My floors were not,one pass with the power trowel,and cure and seal, so they have a very slight texture. They sweep up nicely,but I vacuum them more often than sweeping,so as to not raise dust.

edit) I have been reapplying cure and seal,mostly because I had 5 gal left over.It wears off easily though. I think I may re seal them with "wet look" sealer,mostly so that oils wont stain them.

 

[JC23]

This thread brings up a question in my fuzzy little noggin. Can concrete paint be applied over sealer and still be durable? If so, that may the way to go for protection and looks.

Whatcha think?

 

[londonsteve]

If the sealer is sound yes paint sticks well.