Which step comes first?

[blaze_125]

As I mentioned in another thread, I'll be getting the keys of my new house in about 2 weeks. The builder will have poured a concret slab in the garage and I want to paint it. What steps needs to be taken from start to finish?

I read about acid, soap, sanding and vast array of things to do and I'm totally lost... I just want the floor to look good and resist the mild mechanic work I'll be doing in the garage.

So, once I get the house and wanna start working on the garage concrete... what do I do first and what do I do after that?

Thanks

 

[thegarageguy]

my pro suggestion is to read past threads on this forum and you'll get the answers you may or may not be looking for.

 

[rburke65]

Why don't you read and follow the directions that come with the product that you have or will purchase. I am sure the manufacturer will provide you with what to do and the order in which to do them. And by doing this, you this you will achieve some degree of guarantee.

 

[blaze_125]

Why don't you read and follow the directions that come with the product that you have or will purchase. I am sure the manufacturer will provide you with what to do and the order in which to do them. And by doing this, you this you will achieve some degree of guarantee.

Because I read about etching, acid and a truck load of other stuff. I wasn't sure if those steps were required on a brand new slate.

 

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

Maybe I can help with my .02 on this subject. While there is a wealth of information on this site on the topic the "real" first thing you need to do is decide what type and brand of product you what to use to coat your floor. Only then can you really start making a step by step check list on what you need to do and in what order.

Also, how much prep can depend on how your builder finised the floor in your garage. Was it sealed or not, was it polished to a high sheen/gloss. These two things alone can require very different methods of preping your floor.

Hope this helped shed some light on the subject.

 

[brad d]

Is it a good idea to paint the floor right away.. or wait a few months??

 

[Roady]

If your painting the floor, you must wait AT LEAST 30 days for it to cure. You will have a real mess if you do it before that. Most people in the concrete business will tell you 60 days.

Roady

 

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

Test your concrete for moisture. Take a piece of celophane or glad wrap. Tape it to your floor. Check it after a cpl of days. If there is moisture under the wrap you need to wait a little longer. Otherwise the rising moisture will lift any coating off your floor.

If this is a newly constructed home you garage should be cured enough to coat. Most houses take 2-3 months to build once the foundation is poured. But test it anyway.

 

[blaze_125]

Test your concrete for moisture. Take a piece of celophane or glad wrap. Tape it to your floor. Check it after a cpl of days. If there is moisture under the wrap you need to wait a little longer. Otherwise the rising moisture will lift any coating off your floor.

If this is a newly constructed home you garage should be cured enough to coat. Most houses take 2-3 months to build once the foundation is poured. But test it anyway.

Should I wait at least a few weeks before I do the moisture test? They'll be pouring the garage slate this afternoon.

 

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

Yes. If they are just now pouring your garage floor wait at least 30 days. Then test.