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evelynjohn001 · 3 months

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How to Prep Your Garage Floor for Epoxy Paint

Epoxy paint can transform a dull, stained garage floor into a durable, attractive surface. However, the key to a long-lasting and beautiful epoxy finish is thorough preparation. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you prep your garage floor for epoxy paint

1. Clear the Area

Remove all items: Start by clearing everything out of your garage. This includes vehicles, tools, storage items, and any other objects.

Clean the floor: Sweep and vacuum the floor to remove loose debris, dust, and dirt.

2. Inspect and Repair

Check for damage: Look for cracks, holes, or other imperfections in the concrete.

Repair any damage: Use a concrete patching compound to fill in cracks and holes. Allow the compound to cure according to the manufacturer's instructions.

3. Clean the Floor Thoroughly

Degrease: Use a degreaser to remove oil, grease, and other stains. Scrub the floor with a stiff-bristled brush and rinse thoroughly with water.

Acid etching (if needed): Some epoxy kits recommend acid etching to prepare the concrete surface. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully if this step is necessary. Remember to wear protective gear, including gloves and goggles, when handling acid.

4. Rinse and Dry

Rinse: After cleaning or etching, rinse the floor thoroughly with water to remove any residue.

Dry: Allow the floor to dry completely. This may take several days, depending on the weather and humidity levels. A dry surface is crucial for proper epoxy adhesion.

5. Test for Moisture

Moisture test: Tape a plastic sheet (about 2 feet by 2 feet) to the floor and leave it for 24 hours. If you find moisture under the plastic after this period, your floor may not be suitable for epoxy coating without additional moisture barriers.

6. Grind the Floor (if needed)

Surface grinding: For a very smooth or previously coated concrete, you may need to mechanically grind the surface to ensure good epoxy adhesion. You can rent a floor grinder from a hardware store if necessary.

7. Apply a Concrete Primer (Optional)

Primer: Applying a concrete primer can enhance the adhesion of the epoxy paint and provide a more uniform finish. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and drying times.

8. Final Cleanup

Final sweep: Sweep the floor again to remove any dust or debris that may have settled during the drying process.

Mask off areas: Use painter’s tape to mask off the walls and any areas where you don’t want the epoxy to go.

9. Prepare Epoxy Paint

Mixing: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing the epoxy paint. Proper mixing is crucial for the durability and appearance of the final coating.

Apply: Start applying the epoxy paint as soon as it is mixed, using a roller or brush designed for epoxy applications.

Conclusion

Proper preparation of your garage floor is essential for a successful epoxy paint job. By following these steps, you'll ensure that your epoxy coating adheres well and looks great for years to come. Happy painting!

#Prep Garage Floor for Epoxy Paint

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ktcoatings · 4 months

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Garage Floor Paint Maintenance: Tips for Longevity and Durability

Garage floors endure a significant amount of wear and tear due to vehicular traffic, heavy equipment, and exposure to various chemicals and substances. To protect and enhance the appearance of garage floors, many homeowners opt for garage floor paint uk or coatings. While these coatings offer durability and aesthetic appeal, proper maintenance is essential to ensure their longevity and performance. In this article, we will discuss maintenance tips for garage floor paint to maximize its lifespan and durability, focusing on key considerations for homeowners in the UK.

Understanding Garage Floor Coatings

Garage floor coatings, also known as garage floor paints, are protective finishes applied to concrete floors to improve their appearance and durability. These coatings are available in various formulations, including epoxy, polyurethane, and acrylic, each offering unique benefits such as resistance to chemicals, abrasion, and UV damage. In the UK, where garage floors are exposed to moisture, road salt, and temperature fluctuations, selecting a high-quality and weather-resistant coating is crucial for long-term performance.

Key Maintenance Tips for Garage Floor Paint

Regular Cleaning: Regular cleaning is essential to remove dirt, debris, and stains from the garage floor surface. Use a mild detergent or garage floor cleaner and a scrub brush or mop to remove dirt and grime. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can damage the coating.

Preventive Maintenance: Take proactive measures to prevent damage to the garage floor coating. Place mats or rugs at entry points to trap dirt and moisture from shoes and vehicle tires. Use furniture pads or coasters under heavy objects to prevent scratches and dents.

Avoid Chemical Exposure: Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, solvents, and automotive fluids that can damage the garage floor coating. Promptly clean up spills and leaks to prevent staining and deterioration of the coating. Use chemical-resistant mats or trays to contain spills in areas prone to leaks or spills.

Regular Inspection: Conduct regular inspections of the garage floor coating to identify any signs of wear, damage, or deterioration. Look for areas where the coating may be peeling, cracking, or bubbling, as these issues can worsen over time if left unaddressed.

Touch-Up and Repair: Address any areas of damage or wear promptly to prevent further deterioration of the coating. Use touch-up kits or patching compounds to repair small cracks or chips in the coating. For more extensive damage, consider recoating the entire garage floor surface.

Protective Sealants: Apply a protective sealant or topcoat to the Garage flooring uk coating to enhance its durability and resistance to stains, chemicals, and abrasion. Sealants help extend the lifespan of the coating and provide an additional layer of protection against wear and tear.

Garage Flooring Solutions in the UK

In the UK, homeowners have access to a wide range of garage flooring solutions designed to withstand the unique challenges of British weather and usage patterns. Companies specializing in garage floor coatings and treatments offer a variety of options, including epoxy, polyurethane, and polyaspartic coatings, as well as interlocking floor tiles and roll-out mats. These solutions are engineered to provide durability, aesthetics, and performance tailored to the needs of UK homeowners.

Conclusion

In conclusion, proper maintenance is essential for maximizing the longevity and durability of garage floor paint or coatings. By following key maintenance tips such as regular cleaning, preventive measures, avoiding chemical exposure, regular inspection, touch-up and repair, and applying protective sealants, homeowners can protect their garage floors and preserve their appearance and performance over time. In the UK, where garage floors are subjected to a range of environmental and usage factors, selecting high-quality garage flooring solutions from reputable providers ensures lasting protection and satisfaction for homeowners. With proper maintenance, Garage flooring uk coatings can continue to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of garage spaces for years to come.

#garage floor coating #garage floor paint uk #Garage flooring uk

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phalanxaviation · 1 year

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How To Epoxy Garage Floor

Epoxy coating is a popular option for garage floors as it provides a durable, stain-resistant, and attractive finish. See this guide on Pilmer Epoxy. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to epoxy a garage floor:

Gather the necessary materials:

Epoxy coating kit (includes epoxy resin and hardener)

Concrete etching solution (if your floor is not already etched)

Cleaning solution or degreaser

Broom or vacuum

Scrub brush or push broom

Paint roller with an extension pole

Paintbrush

Paint tray

Painter's tape

Safety goggles, gloves, and protective clothing

Non-slip additive (optional)

Prepare the garage floor:

Clear the garage of any items and sweep or vacuum the floor to remove loose dirt and debris.

If your floor has oil stains or is not previously etched, use a concrete etching solution following the manufacturer's instructions. This step helps the epoxy adhere better to the surface.

Clean the floor using a cleaning solution or degreaser to remove any oil, grease, or other contaminants. Scrub the surface with a scrub brush or push broom, and then rinse thoroughly. Allow the floor to dry completely.

Repair any cracks or imperfections:

Inspect the floor for any cracks, holes, or other imperfections. Fill them with a suitable concrete patching compound and smooth the surface with a trowel. Allow the patching compound to cure as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Apply painter's tape:

Use painter's tape to protect the walls, baseboards, and any other areas you don't want to get epoxy on. Apply the tape along the edges, ensuring a clean boundary.

Mix the epoxy coating:

Read and follow the instructions on the epoxy coating kit carefully.

Mix the epoxy resin and hardener in a clean container according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Stir the mixture thoroughly but avoid creating air bubbles.

Apply the epoxy coating:

Start by applying a coat of epoxy primer to the floor using a paintbrush or roller. This helps with adhesion.

Once the primer coat is dry, mix a second batch of epoxy for the main coat.

Use a roller with an extension pole to apply the epoxy coating evenly across the floor. Work in small sections, starting from the back of the garage and working your way towards the exit.

Use a paintbrush to cut in along the edges and corners where the roller cannot reach.

If desired, sprinkle a non-slip additive onto the wet epoxy for added traction. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the appropriate amount and application method.

Allow the epoxy to cure:

Once you've applied the epoxy coating, allow it to cure as per the manufacturer's instructions. This typically takes several days, so make sure to avoid walking or driving on the surface during this time.

Apply a topcoat (optional):

Some epoxy kits include a clear topcoat for added protection and gloss. If your kit includes a topcoat, follow the manufacturer's instructions to apply it after the epoxy has cured.

Remember to follow all safety precautions mentioned in the epoxy coating kit and use adequate ventilation while working with epoxy. It's essential to read and follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer of the epoxy coating kit you choose, as different products may have slightly different application techniques.

#Epoxy Floor #Garage Epoxy Floor

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topfloorpaint-blog · 6 years

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Best Garage Floor Paint (Review & Buying Guide) in 2019

Best Garage Floor Paint Buying Guide & FAQ

There are quite a bit of difference then between the products on this list in terms of price tag and the features they bring to the party. Generally speaking, the products with a higher epoxy count – so the full on epoxy kits rather than the mixes – are going to provide a tougher, linger lasting finish.

They are also however going to hit your credit card a little harder, so you do need to decide if they are the right products for you. If you think they are, and you are going to take the plunge then you also need to know how best to paint the floor – and once it’s down how to look after it – to ensure that you are getting the most from your investment.

Things to Consider when Buying Garage Floor Paint

Floor Area – Each product – at least on our list – is pretty open about how much area it can cover. If you’re not sure of the size of your garage, then measure it. Oh, and here’s a square foot calculator if you’re as bad at math as we are!

Also bear in mind the coverage the paint promises is usually for one coat, so cut it in half if you plan on putting down a second coat of paint.

Hot, Hot, Heat – You may have seen in some of the product descriptions that some of the garage floor paint we looked at in our list is formulated to protect against hot tire pick up. If you’ve never heard that phrase before, it’s when you park your car or truck in the garage after a hot day. The heat of the tires sitting on the floor can make the paint lose its adhesive qualities, and start to lift.

It then transfers to your tires, leading to bald patches appearing all over your floor. If you live in a hot area, you should definitely consider picking up a floor paint that is formulated to prevent hot tire pick up.

Appearance – If you care about what the garage is going to look like when you’re done, there is quite a range of different finishes available. The good thing with epoxy style floor paints is that they often come with a color they will dry into – often gray – but you can also add decorative shards for an extra splash of color. Just select the style you want and go for it!

Toughness – We’re talking about the toughness of the finish, not whether it can help you out in a bar fight. There is quite a range in terms of overall toughness, but you don’t necessarily need the very toughest product on the market. For example, the 2-part epoxy kits are going to have the toughest finish, but they are also going to have the highest price tag and can be difficult to apply.

It really depends on how much use you think your garage will get. If it is a two car garage and you have heavy cars or trucks that are in and out several times a day, go for the toughest garage floor coating you can. If it used less often, or if used more as a workshop, toughness may not be the main consideration – it could be price, color or style of finish that is more important.

Chemical Toughness – In addition to the everyday, physical toughness required of having a car parked on it, there is also chemical toughness. If you are going to be doing a lot of work on your car or truck (or parts from it) inside the garage, consider looking for a floor paint that can handle chemicals without damage. Gasoline, motor oil, various cleaning products, solvents even windshield fluid can stain or damage the floor if the paint isn’t chemical resistant.

Benefits of Painting the Garage Floor

Anti-Dust. This is especially true if the garage floor is new concrete, but any unpainted concrete surface can both attract - and create – dust. Painting the floor stops this problem however, and in turn stops you walking dust into the house.

Floor Protection. Cars are full of fluid and they are liable to occasionally leak that stuff too. From black motor oil to luminous blue windshield fluid, if any of that stuff touches an unpainted, untreated concrete floor then it’s game over, man. Now, to be clear, even the best garage floor paint is not like some titanium amour and if you notice a spillage you should still clean it up asap.

Aesthetic Appeal – The average cost of building a garage is in the region of $25,000. Even if you’ve already got one, that at least gives you an idea of their rough value. They are essentially another room in the house, so it makes sense to treat them like one and put down the best quality flooring you can – you wouldn’t leave the living room as bare concrete or put down sheets of old newspapers as a carpet for the kitchen, right?

Garage Floor Paint Types

Broadly speaking there are 3 main types of floor paint on the market today, although – SPOILER WARNING!!!! – One of them isn’t actually paint at all. So, we have:

Standard Paint – This is usually a latex acrylic style of paint. This is the most basic style of floor paint around with the two main benefits being that it is very cheap, and has a range of colors. You may be wondering why there is none of this type of paint on our list, and the simple answer is that we are looking at the best garage floor paint on the market – and that does not include this type of paint. It simply does not have the toughness to compete with epoxy blends or 2-stage epoxy flooring kits. If you are interested in this style of paint then check them out at your local hardware store. We’d recommend you buy a few tins though, as you’ll be repainting the floor again pretty soon.

Epoxy Paint – A middle ground between useless standard paint and full fat, bells and whistles epoxy flooring kits. It is basically regular paint that has had epoxy mixed into it. This means that whilst it is not as long lasting as a kit, it is much tougher than simple standard paint whilst keeping costs low and maintaining the color range and ease of installation of normal paint.

2 Part Epoxy Kit – Usually a mixture of epoxy resin and a polyamine hardener – hence why it’s called a two-part kit. They basically work together to provide an insanely tough and long lasting finish. The resin stage can be tinted to give color (though there is not the same color range you get with standard paint) and you can also throw in decorative, colored chips or flecks.

Clear Epoxy is also available that can be put over the top of paint to provide an extra protective layer.

There is also a totally different product, of which we had just the one example on our list – Liquid Rubber. It has a number of benefits, the main one of which is that it can happily ooze into cracks in cement for a cheap and easy fix for old cement floors. On the downside, it only has the one color (Black – Henry Ford would have approved) and it’s not as tough as epoxy flooring.

FAQ

Q: How long will it take to do an average 2 Car garage floor?

A: Painting won’t take long – in fact many epoxy kits only give you a very short window to get them down onto the floor. Prep work will take longer, as your concrete floor must be gleaming clean and ready to go before you crack open paint can. If the floors ready, you can have the paint down and be sipping a beer in one summer’s afternoon.

Q: How long do I have to wait before I walk on my new garage floor?

A: The higher the epoxy count, the longer it will take. Check out the instructions on the product you pick but expect to not be able to walk on the floor for at least 24 hours, and don’t expect to park the car on it for 72 hours or more.

Q: Can I coat damaged/flawed/marred concrete?

A: You can, but you are going to see a reduction in the end quality. Good quality epoxy paint isn’t exactly cheap, so it does make sense to put it down on the best quality floor you can provide so that you’re getting the best bang for your buck. That may mean spending a little time patching cracks, but it will be worth it in the end.

Q: How long will my garage floor paint last?

A: If you go with an epoxy option and add a clear coating, it is possible for that floor to last anywhere up to 30 years – though about 5 to 10 is probably more likely with normal wear and tear.

Q: How do chemicals like road salt or motor oil effect the coating?

A: Unless the paint specifically states it is chemical resistant, things like salt and motor oil can start to stain and erode garage floor paint pretty quick. The tougher the product the less damage it will receive, but even the toughest floor will start to flake and crack with prolonged exposure to tough chemicals. Mop it down every now and then and try not to leave chemicals, salts and oils on the surface for too long and that will help to prolong the lifespan of the floor.

Our Top Pick

It may well be one of the more expensive items on the list, but the EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating by Rust-Oleum is actually a product with very good value for money. That is because as a high content epoxy product it is designed to be extra tough and extremely adhesive. That means it has the strength to stand up to continual use, resisting damage from the full range of materials and fluids that cars can (and will) leak and spill all over your garage floor.

Not only is it crazy tough but it looks great too, and you can either leave it with it’s standard grey, semi-gloss finish or mix in the included pack of decorative chips if you prefer. Since this product is long lasting and looks great then, to us it ticks enough boxes to be worthy of its crown as best garage floor paint.

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epoxyfloorsupply · 2 years

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How to Apply Epoxy Coating to a Garage Floor

Its value is to epoxy your garage floor because epoxy not only tops off the pro look but also resists oil marks, beads water, and wipes wash like a kitchen counter. Color chips as well as custom paint colors hide annoying incompleteness in the concrete, and anti-skid additives give you the grip you require on a snowy day.

Applying an epoxy coating to a concrete floor is as simple as painting walls, but as with painting, the success is in the prep job. Once the calculations, color likes, and washing are taken care of, the main application will seem like the simplest part.

To bond well, epoxy needs an even, slightly rough, and completely clean surface. That means patching any holes and clefts and allowing them to cure fully. Concrete must be leastwise 60 days old and not sealed for the epoxy to adhere. You can tell if your floor in the meanwhile has a sealer if water beads on it or if the etching solution don't foam; if that's the case, you'll require to take off the sealer with a chemical stripper or a particular machine. (Painted floors can be recoated if there's no peeling.)

Epoxy coatings generally come in kits with everything you require. Once you choose one, determine if you'll require to order excessive supplies. Manufacturers may suggest two coats of epoxy paint as well as topcoats, but most standard kits only supply ample for one coat. when you select to add color flakes, which will aid hide concrete's inherent incompleteness, determine how bulkily you'll broadcast them across the floor so you don't come up short. Also, when your garage's base rises above grade at the bottom of the walls, you may want to take into account coating another few inches up the vertical surfaces to make cleaning the garage simpler. Then fix when you want to include an anti-skid additive, granules that give the ended floor a sandpaper-like surface. This can be a good option in rainy or ice-prone regions. Visit this website www.EpoxyFloorSupplyCompany.com for more info.

Epoxy Floor Supply Company

Back Door, 17000 Alico Commerce Ct Unit 101

Fort Myers, FL

33967

USA

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epoxyplus · 2 years

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Want to repair and protect your garage floor with an epoxy patch kit? Our epoxy garage floor patch kit offers a quick and easy solution to fix cracks and prevent further damage. With durable and long-lasting results, your garage floor will look as good as new. Contact us now to purchase your kit!

Call us at 1-(888) 361-2641

#epoxy flake garage floor kit #epoxy garage floor patch kit

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dekored · 3 years

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Garage floor resurfacing

Location: Southern Ontario, Canada Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/CrBGjXr

Simply put, I'm at my wits' end. My end goal is to apply Epoxyshield to fix the disaster that is my garage floor.

I've learned that the most important part of applying any coating is the prep. What's left of my concrete is either grease-stained, pitted like the Moon, or covered in ugly yellow paint applied by Chuck Norris (it does not come off). My house is 40-50 years old and I wouldn't be surprised if it was all original.

I live in a townhouse, so using a diamond floor grinder is unfortunately out of the question due to noise and respect for my older neighbours. I have purchased some concrete patch compound which I plan on using to fill the pits. In an attempt to remove the paint and grease, I poured TSP all over the floor, waited, and scrubbed like hell with a deck brush to zero effect.

I have a few questions:

The Epoxyshield kit comes with acid wash solution. I don't think this will do anything for me here, but am I wrong?

The epoxy coat is quite thin - should I drop an extra $70 and just prime the floor straight over the paint and grease (will this even work)? Is there concrete-to-epoxy primer that's cheaper?

Is the TSP wash + rinse + vacuum enough to decontaminate the surface for a good bond? My walls are unpainted drywall; powerwashing would be very risky.

In all honesty, should I just pay somebody to resurface my garage with new concrete?

Every video I've watched of people applying epoxy starts with a pristine concrete floor. My floor is sloped, cracked, pitted, greasy, pre-sealed, and covered in 50 years of filth.

Budget is the primary concern here. I'm fairly handy but I've never dealt with this kind of restoration before.

Help me, /r/HomeImprovement, you're my only hope. Thank you for reading!

submitted by /u/JaxoDI [link] [comments] from The Hivemind Improving Homes https://ift.tt/3d30alM

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perfectirishgifts · 4 years

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Pandemic Project: Rust-Oleum RockSolid Garage Floor Coating

New Post has been published on https://perfectirishgifts.com/pandemic-project-rust-oleum-rocksolid-garage-floor-coating/

Pandemic Project: Rust-Oleum RockSolid Garage Floor Coating

Rust-Oleum RockSolid floor coating in Silver Bullet.

COVID confinement has turned my everyday life upside down. As a car reviewer, I am frequently on the road, off driving some new vehicle in a far-off place. Home projects get pushed to the back burner, or languish half-finished until I have time to attack them in short bursts. Staying home for months has been a challenge, so I decided to turn it into an opportunity.

About three years ago, my wife and I moved from our small house in Los Angeles to a big old farm house in the suburbs of Detroit. One of the great attractions (for me, anyway), was the presence of a barn/garage on our property. I have had plans to turn the two garage bays in the barn into clean, pleasant spaces to store our cars, motorcycles, and tools. Time has marched on, and the garage dream has remained elusive.

Finally, I had time to undertake the first phase of the project. I allotted a week to clear out one of the garage bays entirely, and to clean, prep, and coat the garage floor.

My garage project — before.

When we first bought our house in Los Angeles, one of the first projects I undertook was to coat the garage floor, and I never regretted it. I used a Rust-Oleum garage floor coating kit, and when we sold our house ten years later, the floor coating looked as good as new. The benefit of coating the floor can’t be overstated. Beyond the cosmetic upgrade over bare concrete, epoxy-coated concrete is much easier to clean and to keep clean. Dust doesn’t accumulate the way it does on bare concrete; moisture beads up and doesn’t soak in; spills wipe up easily and oil leaks don’t leave stains. A strong epoxy floor is also resistant to chipping and cracking. I knew any garage project wouldn’t satisfy me if I didn’t take the time to coat the floor first.

Things change over ten years, so I did some research to find the best solution. I had a few parameters. This would be a DIY project, with me as the “Y,” doing it myself. It had to be simple, safe, fast, and affordable. And I wanted results at least as good as my last garage floor coating project.

I looked at Rust-Oleum’s line of products first. The company has several lines of garage floor coatings designed for homeowner use, from Rust-Oleum Concrete & Garage Floor Paint (a self-priming acrylic paint), to EpoxyShield (a two-part water-based epoxy), to RockSolid (a two-part solvent-based epoxy).

I investigated other options.

Garage Flooring LLC of Colorado sells a two-coat Polyurea kit ($780) for 500 square feet of coverage, sufficient for my 358-square-foot bay. I recognized the Garage Flooring logo from car shows, where I had admired their flooring tile systems and garage floor mats, but their prices were a deterrent.

Another company, ArmorPoxy, makes an epoxy garage floor coating product called “Armorclad.” It comes in a Master Kit with Topcoat with enough material to cover up to 600 square feet for $529. The Armorclad literature highly recommends using a primer coat before installing the epoxy, which brings the total up to $712 (and adds another step to the application process).

Rust-Oleum RockSolid Garage Floor Coating Kit.

I priced out the Rust-Oleum RockSolid system for my garage. At my local Home Depot, the RockSolid 180-ounce Gray Polycuramine 2.5-Car Garage Floor Kit was $214, and the RockSolid 90 oz. Clear Polycuramine Top Coat Garage Floor Kit (2 Pack) was $298, bringing the total to $512. The RockSolid kits came with the etching formula I would need; plus the foam rollers I’d need to apply the product.

I contacted Rust-Oleum for some expert advice. I spoke with Megan Newton, Rust-Oleum’s Director of Brand Marketing in High-Performance Coatings. My timing was good, as she told me, “I literally yesterday just finished painting my garage with RockSolid.”

I described my project to Newton, and told her that I was considering Rust-Oleum products for my garage. She recommended going with Rust-Oleum RockSolid, as she had for her own project. “We are the market leader when it comes to two-part garage coatings. RockSolid is our highest end. We also have one part water-based coatings again, but you’re not going to get the longevity that you get with a two-part epoxy like RockSolid,” she said. “There are a few competitors out there, but doing what we’re doing with RockSolid, there’s nothing like it in the marketplace.”

I told her I had looked at some competitors, but I wasn’t entirely sure what was different. “Our Polycuramine technology mixes multiple chemistries and resins to form this ultra-hard coating, she said. “It’s proprietary to Rust-Oleum. This great hard surface is twenty times stronger than regular two-part epoxy paint — even stronger than our EpoxyShield. It’s the best-looking and strongest garage coating you’re going to get. Having used it this past week, I got to say that it’s amazing how it changes the feel of a garage.”

Garage floor moisture test.

Newton had more advice. She emphasized the importance of preparation, and suggested that I conduct a moisture test before applying product. “It’s as simple as pie,” she said. “You can just take a nice plastic garbage bag, cut it up and tape a three-by-three-foot area of your garage floor and leave it overnight. In the morning, you pull that up. If there’s moisture on the bag, you’ll have to do one extra step, which would add to the process.” If I discovered that my floor seeped moisture, I’d have to apply a product like Rust-Oleum Moisture Stop, which penetrates into concrete to form a gel in cracks, pores, and capillaries to keep water from leaching through.

Since I had the positive experience in my last garage, I decided Rust-Oleum RockSolid was for me, and I embarked on my project.

Preparation is the key to a successful garage floor project, and it’s probably the least enjoyable series of tasks.

Before anything else, I conducted a moisture test, per Newton’s suggestion. Luckily, my garage floor turned out to be bone-dry. One barrier hurdled.

Next, I looked at the weather charts. It was late October in Michigan, which meant any and all weather conditions, from scorching heat to white-out blizzard, could strike. RockSolid needs to be applied when temperatures are between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit in order to bond to the concrete properly. “This product is very weather-dependent,” Newton said. “You definitely want to have a good window of a few days with no rain before and after, and a few days without temperatures dipping below 40 degrees.” I studied the Weather.com app for the proper window, and saw a good week of unseasonably warm days and nights ahead. All systems were go.

An empty garage, ready for the project.

The only part of the project where I engaged help was in clearing out the bay. I engaged a crew of three men for two hours from HireAHelper.com for $298.05 (plus tip), and together we were able to clear out the garage bay to the bare floor. I considered it money well-spent.

The next step of the process was cleaning and degreasing the floor. I swept thoroughly, then wet the floor and applied Rust-Oleum Cleaner and Degreaser for Concrete. I used a push broom to scrub the floor, rinsed again, and then went after tough stains with more degreaser and a long-handled scrub brush. I brought out my pressure washer for another rinse – only to have the hose on the washer burst shortly after starting. A quick search of the Internet revealed my pressure washer to be discontinued, and the repair part unavailable. Rather than allowing this to derail my progress, I doubled down on scrubbing, and got to a satisfactory level of cleanliness. I used a big squeegee to get excess water out of the garage, set up a big fan to blow across the surface, and left the floor to dry for two days.

The floor has been cleaned and degreased.

Next up was etching. When I did my floor in Los Angeles, I used Muriatic acid to etch the floor, which Rust-Oleum no longer recommends using. Muriatic acid is a very hazardous, harsh chemical, not actually DIY-friendly. Instead, the RockSolid kit includes a bag of citric acid crystals for etching. I emptied the bag into a two-gallon watering can, filled with water, mixed, and poured the solution onto the concrete. Citric acid is still acid, so I worked with Nitrile-coated gloves, safety goggles, and rubber boots, but I didn’t need to be concerned about fumes or runoff into planting beds outside. Again, I scrubbed with the broom and scrub brush. After letting the acid sit for 10 minutes, I rinsed and squeegeed repeatedly until the etching liquid was diluted and gone from the surface. Out came the fan again, and I let things dry for two days.

Time to coat – wait, no.

Before I could apply a coating, I had to do some more prep work. My garage floor is 15 or 20 years old, and had developed a few cracks and dings. Now was the time to make repairs, before coating. Some of the cracks were narrow, a few were up to ½-inch wide, and deep into the slab. I got several quart containers of pre-mixed liquid concrete patch and some foam filler cord for the wider cracks. I packed the wider cracks with filler cord, and then filled all of the cracks with the concrete patch mix. Liquid patch filler is self-leveling in ideal circumstances, and should require little or no troweling. I used disposable plastic putty knives sparingly to smooth out any lumps and bumps. I also discovered that I had a few very deep cracks in the slab, cracks that simply swallowed patch filler endlessly, even when packed with foam filler cord. I bought a 50-pound bag of fine sand and poured it into the deepest cracks until they finally filled, then added foam filler cord on top before patching. That solved the problem, and gave me confidence that the cracks would not reappear. I let the patches cure for 24 hours before moving on to the next step.

Garage floor cleaned, etched, and patched.

Time to coat – really!

The temperature had been above 40 degrees overnight, and was expected to rise to 70. In October. In Michigan. Amazing. Perfect weather for epoxy coating and curing. Following the directions, I mixed the first of two pouches of material. First, I put it on the floor and rolled it with the Part A side up toward the Part B side until the internal barrier between the two sides burst. I then picked up the bag, and shifted the bag from side to side for three minutes, mixing the two parts of epoxy. I now had one hour to apply the epoxy to the floor. I cut a corner off the bag, and poured some into the back of the garage bay. I used a new, medium-quality four-inch edging brush to cut in the edges of a 10-foot section (medium-quality, because I knew that I’d be disposing of the brush when I finished this job, rather than attempting to clean it). I then poured more epoxy on the floor, and used the included nine-inch foam roller (mounted on my trusty old roller frame) to spread the material evenly, using W patterns. When I had finished half of the garage and emptied out one bag of epoxy, I paused to spread the decorative paint chips across the wet epoxy. I then mixed the second bag, and repeated the process on the remaining bare floor, following up with a broadcast of paint chips. I planned ahead so I could paint my way out of the room toward the door, avoiding the need to step on wet epoxy. I used all of the epoxy in the 2.5-car garage kit on my 358-cubic-foot bay. If I had had leftover material, the instructions say to let it dry in the package, and discard in normal trash.

The base coat has been applied and has cured for 24 hours.

I allowed the epoxy to cure for two days, though it was safe to walk on in eight hours and to drive on in 24 to 36 hours. I then applied the RockSolid textured top coat, using the same procedure as I had for the base coat. After another 24 hours, my garage floor project was done.

I love how this project turned out. It’s not perfect, through no fault of the product. My perfectionist’s eye can spot an area where the base coat is a little thinly-applied, and another spot where I might have missed applying the top coat. I wish I had broadcast the decorative chips a little more evenly, but my wife disagrees. She likes the random pattern. If and when I do another garage floor, I will recruit a helper with a flashlight to help identify these issues before the floor cures, and hopefully achieve a higher level of finish. In reality, though, it looks great, and even better, functions brilliantly. The total cost of this project, including tools, floor-patching materials, floor-coating kits, and excluding labor (the HireAHelper.com crew) was under $800. A professional installation would have run $3,000 or more.

The finished project — ready to be used.

I’ve used Rust-Oleum’s garage floor coating systems twice now. I’ll definitely use RockSolid again – once I can get my other garage bay cleared out.

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