Homeowner question: Did you put Epoxy on your garage floor?

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
No.I've seen the kits but never done it. I like to leave the house stockunless I'm doing something I know everybody will appreciate, such as tiles in the kitchen, moderate gardening, etc.
 

MuffD

Diamond Member
May 31, 2000
6,027
0
0
We should be getting our keys tomorrow so I have this guy coming out to paint our house along with the garage. The only thing the painter can't get ahold of is the epoxy (with his discount) I think I'm gonna stop by HD on the way to work to take a look.
 

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
52,281
45,582
136
Used the Rust-Oleum Epoxy Sheild stuff.

It makes the floor extremely easy to clean and looks better than bare concrete. One problem is that it is much more slippery when wet than bare concrete.
 

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
No but judging from the amount of dust & dirt that collects in there (especially in the winter when my wife parks her car in there), it would be nice. Easier sweeping.
 

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I'm thinking about it, but man do these stupid projects add up :(

QFT!!!! :thumbsup:

If my wife sees this thread (not that she ever would lol), it will be an addition to the dreaded "Honey-do" list... :roll:
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
What is the cost/sq ft for a diy-er? I've got a big garage (around 24' by 34').
 

MuffD

Diamond Member
May 31, 2000
6,027
0
0
Normally if you had someone do it, I believe it runs about $1500 or so. You can get some good industrial strength Epoxy for about $150.00. You just have to clean your garage floor really good before you lay it down. After 24 hours, you can walk on it an even lay boxes down on it. You just can't put your car in the garage for 7 days.
 
Jan 18, 2001
14,465
1
0
I have wondered about that stuff too. I live in Wisconsin, so in the winter there is a lot of ice/snow melt from off the tires. In the Spring, there is condensation on the floor.

Plus I brew my beer in the garage and will get a boil over every now and then...


It would be nice to have a floor thats a little easier to clean.
 

MrChad

Lifer
Aug 22, 2001
13,507
3
81
Originally posted by: K1052
Used the Rust-Oleum Epoxy Sheild stuff.

It makes the floor extremely easy to clean and looks better than bare concrete. One problem is that it is much more slippery when wet than bare concrete.

Yeah, I just helped my fiancee's dad put that stuff on the garage floor of their new house. It's extremely easy to use and it does look great afterwards. The biggest pain in the ass is cleaning the floor prior to painting. The floor needs to be dust free before you roll on the paint, which is no small feat for a garage.

EDIT: Here's the link
 

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
25,982
4,592
126
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
What is the cost/sq ft for a diy-er? I've got a big garage (around 24' by 34').
With a cheaper product, such as Epoxyshield Garage Floor Coating, you can get ~200 sq ft out of a ~$50 box. You can get more area covered in smooth concrete than in rough concrete. Thus you are looking at about 4-5 boxes, or $200-$250. That doesn't count the cost of pre-cleaners or paint supplies.

The price goes sky-high beyond that for professional versions of the floor epoxy. You should count on ~$500 for the epoxy for a floor your size.

This is something that a professional charges an arm and a leg for. Home Depot charges $1.50 to $3.25 per sq ft to do it for you (depending on epoxy quality). That is $1225-$2650 for a floor your size. That approaches the cost of just replacing the entire concrete slab.


To answer the original poster's question. No. Due to the cost I didn't. It is on my "maybe someday" list.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: K1052
Used the Rust-Oleum Epoxy Sheild stuff.

It makes the floor extremely easy to clean and looks better than bare concrete. One problem is that it is much more slippery when wet than bare concrete.

Ddi you put those chips in the top coat to aid in traction?
 

radioouman

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2002
8,632
0
0
Sounds like a good idea. I often spill oil on my garage floor and this would make it easier to clean up.
 

Caminetto

Senior member
Jul 29, 2001
821
49
91
I started on that project last year but discovered the previous owner had put a sealer on the floor years ago which would not allow the epoxy to seal properly. My only alternative was to drive to another city and rent a concrete scraper to get the sealer off which I decided against. BTW, muratic acid treatment will not work on a sealer. Something you might want to check out.
Further, when I looked into this project I found that it does make the floor slick. Something to consider as some folks could take a tumble getting out of the car when it's been raining. There are sand like additives to put into the paint but they will diminish paint life.

PS, I understand that the Rust-oleum chips don't do much for traction.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,740
5,893
146
I thought about it, but my wife is not the most sure person on her feet. I won't risk it.
 

huesmann

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 1999
8,618
0
76
I would do something like wet-sanding with coarse grit to scour up the surface a bit so it's not quite so slick.
 

MuffD

Diamond Member
May 31, 2000
6,027
0
0
What other options are there for garage flooring? The one thing I like about the epoxy like everyone is mentioning is the ability to clean very easily.
 

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
Originally posted by: Skoorb
No.I've seen the kits but never done it. I like to leave the house stockunless I'm doing something I know everybody will appreciate, such as tiles in the kitchen, moderate gardening, etc.


You can do things to your house that you will like too. You don't need to be concerned only with what will pay off when you sell it.
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
i have a standard cement floor in the garage. no plans on changing it. we just pull out everything 2 times a year and sweep/wash it