| Author | Message | ||
     Bomber |
I painted the garage floor about 70 days ago, and thought I’d share the outcome with others. Pretty boring for most, I imagine, but may be of use for those contemplating improving their “play rooms.” The slab was poured no later than 1972 (hard to tell with the somewhat catch-as-catch can record keeping the village does . . . . .this almost always works out to my advantage, so I’m not complaining). It had a couple of good-sized cracks running diagonally across the floor (not all the way across, thank goodness), ,and it was poured in two parts, with what appears to be a two-inch wide wooden expansion joint between the two. I sealed the cracks with generic hardware store garage floor crack sealer. This configuration lent itself to a shoot-out between two brands of paint – I painted one side with Griot’s Garage paint (have no idea who makes it, but sold through the aforementioned outlet), and the other with Rust-O-Leum brand . . . . both paints used were the gray – light gray, in the case of Rust-O-Leum (they also offer a darker gray, while Griot’s offers a tan color). Short-term gains – the dust level in the garage has decreased an order of magnitude. This was expected, and was one of the main reasons that I decided to paint the floor. Ambient light levels have increased a great deal (if I’d been thinking, I’d have taken light meter readings before and after, but that didn’t occur to me til long afterwards). It’s also much easier finding the part you dropped Application for both starts with stripping any paint (Griot’s) or any loose paint (Rust-O-Leum). There was none on my floor Griot’s application involves etching the floor with diluted muriatic acid to provide a better surface for paint adhesion (the acid was not included in the cost of the paint). I removed all the vehicles and other movable objects (tool cabinets and the like), but choose not to move the lathe and mill. This was a mistake. Even with those un-painted surfaces on the machines covered with Boe-guard (sp? . . . . commercial metal protectant), and the fans running the entire time, some of the surfaces of the machine tools developed a slight patina of rust from exposure to the acid fumes. Rust-O-Leum’s application start with etching as well . . . but using some unidentified citrus-smelling powder mixed with water. This magic potion did not etch the concrete nearly as deeply as the acid, but it didn’t do any damage to the contents of the garage, either. The powder was included in Rust-O-Leum’s packaging. After etching, I used Simple Green on obvious oil stains, and then wash the floor with TSP and water . . . . . . both paint brands wanted the floor to be slightly damp when applying the water-based paint. I sprinkled a small amount of fine sand (sold as “Play Sand”) from the Home Despot, er, Depot, on both sides of the floor while the paint was tacky to increase traction – I’m glad I did. Both sides of the floor would have been much too slippery had I not done so. Now, I’ve not pulled into the garage straight form the track (both companies address Z rated tires and the attendant heat perhaps removing the paint, and Griot’s offers an additive to combat this . . . . ) since the track is, lemme see, about 100 miles from my house, and the traffic around my neck of the woods provides a good cool down lap, this won’t be a problem . . . . pay attention is you’re painting the floor in the pits at Spa, however. Both companies charge $50+ per gallon, so that looks like a wash, until you factor in the Griot’s calls for two coats, and Rust-O-Leum calls for one. One coat of Griot’s did NOT cover the floor sufficiently, while one coat of Rust-O-Leum seemed to. 70 Days or so is certainly not a long term test . . . although the ’31 Ford marks it’s territory constantly, in places that mean it’s tires WILL pass through the puddle, no sign of damage after such a short term test is no big thing. Will report when damage shows up, or after the winters’ activities (salt, freeze/thaw cycles, benches being raced) wind down. The AM radio version is that I’d do it again, the lack of dust is great, the increase light levels greater, finding dropped fasteners quicker is lovely . . . . and I’d use Rust-O-Leum for both the lower price and ease of application. | ||
| Cjmblast |
Bomber, I'm TIRED just reading all that !! I get really bored sometimes, but you must have been REALLY bored about an hour ago !!??? LOL CJM  | ||
| Bomber |
then it's clear that you don't take your garage nearly seriously enough, young lady! ;-} | ||
| X1glider |
We did the acid treatment and paint to my dad's 16 year old garage a couple years ago. One coat wasn't enough. The tires peeled it up easily. I got the impression that the acid wasn't completely washed away, but we used a power washer and scrubbed the hell out of the floor. The top coat still seems to be holding up and oil spills clean up real easy. My only complaint is that it is really slick when coming in from the rain. So far he hasn't dropped the bike in the garage but has busted his butt once. Water doesn't absorb into it like bare concrete so it just sits there waiting for you to slip in it. Other than that, it beats oil stains. | ||
| Cjmblast |
Yeah your right Bomb, it's rented ! Just a place to keep the bike snug in winter ! CJM | ||
| Ftd |
I recently painted my floor with a kit I obtained from UCOATIT.com. As per the norm it required cleaning the floor and etching with pool acid (muriatic/HCl). This was followed by a primer coat and a final coat. A gloss coat was optional. It was not cheap but I feel the final product was superior in appearance to floors done by buddies using the usual store bought products. The finish is glossy (and slippery) without using the gloss coat. You can see a little of it in my profile pic. I did it six months ago so long term durability is still an unknown. | ||
| Roadrunr |
Bomber, Home depot also sells an epoxy coating for just that application. It cost me $55 and it comes with those cool little sprinkley things for traction. 2 years later still holding on strong. Anyone know why my wife laughs at me when I mop the garage?...  | ||
| Bomber |
FTD . . . . i'm sure there are a number of industrial coatings available . . . . as usual, I though about painting the floor for years, and then just sortakinda jumped into the process . . . Griot's catalog was in the Reading Room, and I just ordered it . . . . I was hoping my post would scare upo other alternative . . . thanks for your addition! Road . . . .Rust-O-Leum also comes with multi-colored sprinkly things, but I figured that they might make located dropped fasteners more a treasure hunt, so I went with sand . .. . your wife laughs for the saem reason mine shakes her head . . . . . ain't we lucky to have 'em? | ||
| Henrik |
I painted the floor in our apartment (which also function as the shop/garage) about 3 1/2 years ago. I used the Benjamin Moore epoxy based garage floor paint. The floor had previously had tiles glued to it, and was quite dusty to boot. Since I'm on the 4th floor, truly pressure washing and etching the floor wasn't really an option - unfortunately. The paint has held up quite well though, except in the areas with left-over glue from the old tiles. That glue mixed with the paint made a sticky, rubbery mass, that never seems to dry out and harden, and the paint quickly peeled in those areas. The rest of the floor has really held up well to all kinds of abuse. In retrospect: good prep is key to durability. Henrik | ||
| Bomber |
Henrik . . is this where your diamond plate dinning room table lives? | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Damn, You guys suck, now I gotta paint my garage floor!!! (I wanted to anyway but now I have an excuse, gotta keep the dust down ya know!) Brad | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Another thought, How well do these paints hold up to welding sparks? I do a fair bit of mig welding in my garage. Just wondering.... Brad | ||
| Henrik |
Diamond plate ... well, I suggested it, but the "commander in chief" shot down that idea :-) My hand-sanded hardwood table on the other hand. Henrik | ||
| Roadrunr |
Bluz, not sure about welding on em but I do know they can handle one heck of a burnout!!!!!!!!  | ||
| Bomber |
Bluz . . . me too, not sure of welding, but brazing flotsom and jetsom seems not to bother it at all H . . . . yeah, the plates and cups and such wouldn't have sat squarely on the diamond plate, I suppose . .. |
