Garage Floor Coating

[jmader]

I need some input from the experts here on garage floor coatings. My floor gets slick as sh!t when it gets wet. I was thinking some kind of epoxy coating but I’ve been reading some good things about the snap together floors lately also. Does anyone have any experience using them? I was looking at these in particular

https://www.garageflooringinc.com/ti...loc-tiles.html

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by jmader

I need some input from the experts here on garage floor coatings. My floor gets slick as sh!t when it gets wet. I was thinking some kind of epoxy coating but I’ve been reading some good things about the snap together floors lately also. Does anyone have any experience using them? I was looking at these in particular

https://www.garageflooringinc.com/ti...loc-tiles.html

I did a ucoatit coating a few garages ago that initially looked great, then dulled and started lifting under tires. Cost me a fortune and a ton of work. I did the installation correctly, exactly per the directions and even rented a grinder to scarify the floor. When i called ucoatit they were insistent i did the installation wrong and wouldnt help.

Tiles are a much better idea and what i am doing next time.

[notsolo]

Sorry no experience with floor coating. Other option, I did buy a couple boxes of soft tiles, 100 sq ft per box, 24 pieces , per box. . Really a 5/8" pad 2' x 2' interlocking. Sold for kids play rooms etc, more durable than the cheap version sold by Lowe's. Soft surface to work off of, can be used and reused any way you can think of. Save your knee's an back.

[Ram-Man]

For coatings its all in the prep. I put rock solid on with the clear and its bullet proof easy to clean and not slippery with the flakes. If you prep it right I think a coating is the way to go..

[Rufas]

Originally Posted by jmader

I need some input from the experts here on garage floor coatings. My floor gets slick as sh!t when it gets wet. I was thinking some kind of epoxy coating but I’ve been reading some good things about the snap together floors lately also. Does anyone have any experience using them? I was looking at these in particular

https://www.garageflooringinc.com/ti...loc-tiles.html

With snap together floors my biggest concern is leaking fluids. I'm pretty sure they will let fluids pass through them. I could be wrong about that.

[rsavage]

I used race deck flooring. I bought the open pattern so that fluids could eventually migrate to my center drain (they have channels on the bottom). I have pulled and installed engines and drive trains with no ill effects. They are not slippery UNLESS you step on a wrench you left lying on the floor or another loose tile on top of one as you install - you will go for a ride. So far (couple of years and lots of hard use) it has held up well. I use a shop vac to vacuum out the nooks and crannies. Cleans up easily with soap and warm water. Can even use brake cleaner on them if necessary. Not cheap, but I can snap them up and reinstall if I choose to or want to clean the concrete, and I can take them with me if I were to move. Easy quick install. I did my garage (36' X 26') in a day.

[jmader]

Originally Posted by NC_John

I did a ucoatit coating a few garages ago that initially looked great, then dulled and started lifting under tires. Cost me a fortune and a ton of work. I did the installation correctly, exactly per the directions and even rented a grinder to scarify the floor. When i called ucoatit they were insistent i did the installation wrong and wouldnt help.

Tiles are a much better idea and what i am doing next time.

Yeah that’s one of my concerns especially trying to do something during the winter months. The garage is heated but I’m still worried about adhesion to the concrete. What I’m reading says you need to apply it when the temperature is a minimum 50 degrees

[jmader]

Originally Posted by Rufas

With snap together floors my biggest concern is leaking fluids. I'm pretty sure they will let fluids pass through them. I could be wrong about that.

Very good point.

[jmader]

Originally Posted by rsavage

I used race deck flooring. I bought the open pattern so that fluids could eventually migrate to my center drain (they have channels on the bottom). I have pulled and installed engines and drive trains with no ill effects. They are not slippery UNLESS you step on a wrench you left lying on the floor or another loose tile on top of one as you install - you will go for a ride. So far (couple of years and lots of hard use) it has held up well. I use a shop vac to vacuum out the nooks and crannies. Cleans up easily with soap and warm water. Can even use brake cleaner on them if necessary. Not cheap, but I can snap them up and reinstall if I choose to or want to clean the concrete, and I can take them with me if I were to move. Easy quick install. I did my garage (36' X 26') in a day.

Thank you that looks awesome! That’s a great point that the tiles are removeable/replaceable. Yeah cost is my main concern. It’s not cheap.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by jmader

Yeah that’s one of my concerns especially trying to do something during the winter months. The garage is heated but I’m still worried about adhesion to the concrete. What I’m reading says you need to apply it when the temperature is a minimum 50 degrees

As I recall, the instructions were very vague about critical details. You are/were supposed to wet the floor with water prior to coating application. It was supposed to be something like wet but no standing water. I did that. They told me when I was having problems that I didn't wet it enough. Complete BS. Like I said- I even scarified (surface ground) the (still new) concrete to ensure perfect prep and application. I didn't cut corners.....

[chasinhiway]

I used ucoatit in my shop and love it. Its several years old and has held up very well. Even to some "unintentional" burnouts. I had questions when I was installing it and called the tech line they were very helpful and walked me through the process. I've also helped some friends install the garage coating you can buy at Lowes. It was easier to install and looks just as good as mine.

[chasinhiway]

This is it a few months after installing the ucoatit. The only thing I'd do different is I'd use a lighter color.

[bs46488]

I did one of those DIY epoxy paint kits with the speckled paint chips you throw on the paint before it dries.

Fluid leaks clean up very well.

Not so great feature: The paint chips are like camouflage for small nuts, bolts, washer, and screws.

[Foot Stomper]

I have sold Rustoleum Industrial Coatings which included concrete floor coatings and can assure you that concrete is tricky AND ALWAYS requires proper prep which can include, but not limited to, age, previous exposure to chemicals, cleanliness, water table (yes, the water table if high enough can force coatings off concrete), abrasion, humidity, temp, drying conditions etc etc.

What one might experience as a success, another might see a failure with the exact same product.

I took a chance on my floor because I had the experience, knowledge, equipment and opportunity.

You can take your chances, but unless your thoroughly test your concrete for it's ability to accept a coating, you might want to consider alternatives.

NOTE: Concrete floor coatings that are NOT slippery are also hard to sweep.