Garage floor coating

[Throwmeabone]

Hey guys. So I want to make my garage look nice and the first thing I want to do something about is the floor. I was considering getting one of those DIY kits but after a little more reading I realized that to do it right would be more involved than I expected (grinding the floor, etc). You only get one shot to pull it off. So now I'm looking at having it done professionally. How much should I expect to pay for a two car garage? For those who have had it done or done it themselves how did it turn out? Any other tips or advice?

 

[zerocool84]

Well when doing anything like that prep is the most important thing.

 

[exar333]

The DIY kits really aren't that bad. I have helped a couple different friends do this, and I don't consider myself particilarly "handy". Scuffing the concrete is pretty easy, and can be done on a Saturday or something.

I am not calling you out or anything, but a lady I work with did this by herself over this summer. She worked on it for a couple weekends and is very happy with the results.

Doing this yourself saves a lot of cash, but it might not be for everyone. Most of the work is prepping the concrete. The applications is pretty easy. If you have someone to help out on a couple Saturdays, it goes pretty quick. It looks more intimidating than it really is IMHO.

 

[LTC8K6]

What's up with the redirected links via detonator/dynamitedata?

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
What's up with the redirected links via detonator/dynamitedata?

It is an anandtech thing.

 

[Pantoot]

I have tried both the single part and the two part ones and greatly preferred the two part. The single part didn't hold up very well at all.
The house that we just bought had the floor professionally done and it is far and away better than the other two, but be prepared to spend around a few thousand more than the DIY method.

 

[Kelvrick]

Oh, to add more of my thoughts. I am planning on doing some kind of coating on my floor and am probably going with a hybrid VCT (vinyl composite tile) and epoxy system. The VCT will hold up much better than an epoxy coating but requires waxing during the upkeep. I was planning on doing a layer of VCT and a clear epoxy with grip (sand or plastic flakes). I get the advantages of cleaner repairs of the defined tiles and not having to bother with waxing because of the clear epoxy layer.

As for holding up to hot tires, I plan on cutting up little sections of galvanized metal and caulk it to where the tires sit when I park. It will also help as parking guides.

 

[ZickZJ]

Make sure to get the Solvent based and not the water based, it holds up better.
I used Rust Oleum as well but it was the Professional line which is the solvent based. I could only find it at Menards, all the rest only carried water based. http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=14
I just did mine last weekend. Turned out "OK" I guess, there were areas that I rolled it on too heavy or too thin and the thick areas look semi glossy where as the thin areas look flat.
I had a brand new garage floor only about 2 months old so I just did an acid etch and washed it down.

 

[brblx]

scuff the floor with an abrasive pad on a buffer and roll on some generic grey shop floor paint.

i don't see the point in paying thousands for a showroom finish for your car-hole.

 

[ZickZJ]

Who said it will cost thousands to do this??? Maybe if you have it professionally done but not DIY.
It cost me less than a grand to do approximately 30x40 area.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: ZickZJ
Who said it will cost thousands to do this??? Maybe if you have it professionally done but not DIY.
It cost me less than a grand to do approximately 30x40 area.

He did say professionally. I've seen a professionally done one and although it looked nice I felt like calling for a psychiatrist for the guy after he told me how much he paid for it. Let's not forget you're basically cleaning up the appearance of something that is inherently dirty all the time and the only people who really see it are you on your way in and out of the garage. I don't know why anybody would pay so much to have a pro do it!

I haven't done mine myself because I'm stll not sure exactly what the point is yet.

 

[ZickZJ]

Whoops...I missed that the OP asked about getting it professionally done after not wanting to do it himself.

The reason I did it was to keep the floor from getting oil stains everywhere and from those who have it done they say it keeps the dust down too.

 

[Garage Detailer]

Professionally installed really depends on where you live and the material they use. In Phoenix, $ 2.50 a sq ft. was not uncommon for a single color (no chips). Base prices in the Charlotte region seem to start at $ 3.50. This is a starting point for new concrete. Depending on the floor condition the prep required may add to the price.