My shop is finally going up next week (if all goes as planned). Getting the concrete completed was its own challenge but, that's done finally.
Researching the different floor sealants/barriers that are out there. I like what I'm reading about the Epoxy based versions but every brand I read about has customer reviews with both good and bad things to say. It seems the "Industrial" versions are more of what I want although they are significantly more expensive. But you only get this opportunity to do it right one time, the first time and I want this to go well and last. I've seen the end results and what the wrong product will look like down the road, I really don't want something that doesn't last (wears) or some product that doesn't protect against stains. I will be applying the surface coat myself. Prefer a clear version but, a colored version won't bother me, I want a chemical protective barrier that does provide some light reflective results.
I'm looking for a brand/version with chemical protections, not just moisture barriers. My concrete contractor recommended a product called Eagle floor coverings but, it's only a moisture barrier.
Recommendations with comments would be greatly appreciated. TIA.
One of the biggest failures with any of these floors is poor prep. With old concrete, you need to use diluted muriatic acid to prep the surface. Most people skip this step and use some other chemical. Then the floor coating peels up like nothing. In your case, I would imagine that since it's new, you would only have to wash the floor to remove dust. If properly prepped, any of the epoxy coatings will last for many years.
I used the Rustoleum Garage Epoxy kit. I made sure to prep the floor. There were a lot of oil stains in the concrete from the previous owner. I used industrial degreaser and scrubbed the floor thoroughly. Then I used my 5" random orbital sander to sand problem areas. Degreased it again then used the acid etch. Be sure you have PPE before using the acid etch. Then I applied the epoxy coating, flakes and clear coat. That was in 2016. The floor has held up well to a lot of abuse. There is paint over spray on it and I dropped a can of PVC primer on the floor. Just so you know, PVC primer will turn your floor purple. It does not matter how stain resistant it is. A few times I have burned the floor when something on fire fell on it or molten metal or slag fell on it from welding. It is a garage floor that I also use as a workshop. It will and does get abuse in my home. None of it is peeling off. It is still protecting the concrete.
One of the biggest failures with any of these floors is poor prep. With old concrete, you need to use diluted muriatic acid to prep the surface. Most people skip this step and use some other chemical. Then the floor coating peels up like nothing. In your case, I would imagine that since it's new, you would only have to wash the floor to remove dust. If properly prepped, any of the epoxy coatings will last for many years.
The product above covers 250 square feet per gallon and rolls on. It is a one part epoxy so no mixing.
Will be looking at this option closely, thanks for the response. Sounds promising.
Rams
quote
Originally posted by Doug85GT:
I used the Rustoleum Garage Epoxy kit. I made sure to prep the floor. There were a lot of oil stains in the concrete from the previous owner. I used industrial degreaser and scrubbed the floor thoroughly. Then I used my 5" random orbital sander to sand problem areas. Degreased it again then used the acid etch. Be sure you have PPE before using the acid etch. Then I applied the epoxy coating, flakes and clear coat. That was in 2016. The floor has held up well to a lot of abuse. There is paint over spray on it and I dropped a can of PVC primer on the floor. Just so you know, PVC primer will turn your floor purple. It does not matter how stain resistant it is. A few times I have burned the floor when something on fire fell on it or molten metal or slag fell on it from welding. It is a garage floor that I also use as a workshop. It will and does get abuse in my home. None of it is peeling off. It is still protecting the concrete.
Appreciate the response, have been researching Rustoleum also. Thanks again.
Rams
------------------ Rams Learning most of life's lessons the hard way. . You are only young once but, you can be immature indefinitely.
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 04-18-2025).]
One of the biggest failures with any of these floors is poor prep. With old concrete, you need to use diluted muriatic acid to prep the surface. Most people skip this step and use some other chemical. Then the floor coating peels up like nothing. In your case, I would imagine that since it's new, you would only have to wash the floor to remove dust. If properly prepped, any of the epoxy coatings will last for many years.
The product above covers 250 square feet per gallon and rolls on. It is a one part epoxy so no mixing.
Having done some research on this product, I really do like what this product offers but justifying the cost isn't going to be easy............. Yeah, I know. You get what you pay for..................
Having done some research on this product, I really do like what this product offers but justifying the cost isn't going to be easy............. Yeah, I know. You get what you pay for..................
Rams
It's very pricey and is very strong but I have also done a couple of garages with the Rustoleum and they too came out very nice. I could roll a floor jack around all day long and not damage the surface.
My current home has a three car garage. This shop (currently being put up) is 30X40 feet. One single 12 foot wide 8 foot garage door.
Two walk through doors, one in front and the other in the rear. 12 foot open lean to (roofed on the rear of the building. I want to apply epoxy to the floor before moving my tools and toys in on it and get my lift installed..
It held up to forklift traffic and sliding metal skids across the floor, as well as strong acids and alkalines.....
You probably don't need that much protection, however.
Or the price tag!
Yeah, I checked the Stone Hard coating out, definifely won't be any forktruck traffic and out of my price range anyway.
quote
Originally posted by cliffw:
Paint.
Paint isn't an option, simple foot traffic will wear it down to expose the concrete. Mostly looking to achieve a chemical and lubricant barrer. Yeah, I spill things.
Well, back to the ole drawing board. Thought I found a sealant for my new garage floor with good ratings that would protect my new concrete floor from lubricants, moisture and chemicals while providing very good wear resistance.
Was about to order but thought I'd check with a friend since he's done this before. Even though the product was supposed to be 15 times tougher than epoxy but priced within my budget, my friend reports that he picked and applied the same product to his new concrete floor and although it holds up with vehicles rolling over it in a straight line, if the steering wheels get rotated while parked, the barrier rolls up as the tire moves. He said he followed all the instructions in prep and application.
As I said, back to the search. The electrician is coming by today to tell me what he recommends for my purposes. Scaling back on some things might be my only option. I keep telling my Texas friends I'm available for adoption but.......................................
BTW, this is what I thought I was going to go with in case you're interested:
Rust-Oleum 293515 RockSolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Coating, 2.5 Car Kit, High Gloss Tan
------------------ Rams Learning most of life's lessons the hard way. . You are only young once but, you can be immature indefinitely.
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 04-27-2025).]
Paint isn't an option, simple foot traffic will wear it down to expose the concrete. Mostly looking to achieve a chemical and lubricant barrier. Yeah, I spill things.
Rams
The products I've been looking at don't refer to themselves as "Paint". But, I get your point and will continue my research. Thanks for the response.
Whatever you choose, do a lighter, solid color. I had the misfortune of being stuck with a shop floor that had those tossed in speckled chips and finding that nut/bolt you just dropped was miserable.
Whatever you choose, do a lighter, solid color. I had the misfortune of being stuck with a shop floor that had those tossed in speckled chips and finding that nut/bolt you just dropped was miserable.
Initially planned on a clear coating or a light-colored version that would reflect light back up. Never planned or wanted the sparkly chips to begin with. Thanks for the response.
My father had a 7 car auto shop from 1956 until he fully retired in 1989 and never had anything but bare concrete. I grew up working in it and I can say that spilled oil soaked right in over the years and made a perfect moisture barrier. Didn't need no stinking storebought coverage/barrier.
My father had a 7 car auto shop from 1956 until he fully retired in 1989 and never had anything but bare concrete. I grew up working in it and I can say that spilled oil soaked right in over the years and made a perfect moisture barrier. Didn't need no stinking storebought coverage/barrier.
Were such coatings/barriers even available back in "56"? I believe the toxicity/stink goes away pretty quickly.
I never noticed any stink and I rolled around under many a car, both on a creeper and without. As far as reported 'toxicity', I'm still here and my father lived until almost his 90th birthday.
I never noticed any stink and I rolled around under many a car, both on a creeper and without. As far as reported 'toxicity', I'm still here and my father lived until almost his 90th birthday.
Don, I should have been more precise. I was talking about the toxicity and odor of Epoxy. It disappears in as little as 6 to 8 hours depending on the product chosen.
Originally posted by blackrams: Rust-Oleum 293515 RockSolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Coating, 2.5 Car Kit, High Gloss Tan
This should be perfect. The combination of Urethane and epoxy plus polyurea makes it bulletproof. Not a bad price either. Not sure why your friend had issues with his floor.
[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 05-05-2025).]
A rough surface is critical for good adhesion, as is completely removing the material used to etch the concrete. Rinse, rinse, rinse and dry, dry, dry!
Then blow any dust off of the surface with a leaf blower or double filtered compressed air.
[This message has been edited by olejoedad (edited 05-06-2025).]
A rough surface is critical for good adhesion, as is completely removing the material used to etch the concrete. Rinse, rinse, rinse and dry, dry, dry!
Then blow any dust off of the surface with a leaf blower or double filtered compressed air.
Obviously, rushing into this is not my style. 
