[Paul330d]

I will shortly be moving to a new house where there is a great double garage with a smooth concrete floor just begging to be painted. My question is what type of paint should I use (is rubber based paint too squeaky/expensive?) and what is the best colour in terms of looks and resistance to scuff marks? Light grey sounds kind of nice, but will it show the marks?

[PersonaNonGrata]

Is this OT? Anyway...

There are tons of links available to help you with this. Every one of them will tell you to meticulous preparation of the floor is essential, no matter what you use. I used Rust-O-Leum Garage Epoxy. It has peeled up in a couple of places but overall has held up well. I can and do mop it and it's good as new. There are other epoxy products out there you can check out. Google it.

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

Is this OT? Anyway...

There are tons of links available to help you with this. Every one of them will tell you to meticulous preparation of the floor is essential, no matter what you use. I used Rust-O-Leum Garage Epoxy. It has peeled up in a couple of places but overall has held up well. I can and do mop it and it's good as new. There are other epoxy products out there you can check out. Google it.

Yeah the epoxy is great to use and looks are fantastic! I would go with grey in color.

[Paul330d]

Grey epoxy it is then, thanks Sorry if this should have been posted in the OT section...

[LEDZEP]

I've been trying to decide what to do with my garage floor for a long time. I've even considered putting down a vinyl floor (black and white checkered). As previously mentioned, preparation of the floor is paramount - and the hardest part.

If you decide to do it, good luck and post photos afterward!

[Mackskibum]

Epoxy all the way!! I used an industrial coating from Vexcon www.vexcon.com I have had no peeling or lifting at all in a year of heavy use. This stuff is made for warehouse type traffic, and is put on in two stages- a primer/sealer and a two part eopxy coating that comes in multiple colors. I used grey- darker colors will suck up the ambient light at make it hard to see to work on stuff...

Many have used the rust-oleum product with success. I tend to shy away from mass market products of this type and go for the stuff that the pros use.

[nmulax]

I used the Rust-Oleum stuff on our garage when my parents first built our house, and it's just starting to flake and need replacing (it's been about 6 years).
I need to redo it one of these weekends... when I have the time; it's definetely an all day event. I was happy with the Rust-Oleum stuff, but it's so expensive. Home Depot's selling it for like $70 a case, and I need 5 or so cases to cover the floor.

Mackskibum - did you put down the Vexcon stuff yourself? How difficult was the install, and which item did you use? Their website has so many choices it's a bit confusing.

[Mackskibum]

Used the Powercoat VOC epoxy- French Grey, Powercoat primer coat before I put the topcoat down. This stuff was not cheap either- probably similar in price to the rust-oleum. You may have a problem getting another coating to sick to the existing epoxy- usually for a recoat they will shot blast the old epoxy off prior to refinish.

Here's a photo:

[Agni]

I have grey epoxy in my garage floor, its pretty good, but is starting to peel in some areas.

[NoMods]

Don't you need to do a moisture test on the floors first to be sure it sticks well?

[inTgr8r]

Was thinking about this as well....

How slippery do these get when wet, or with snow in the winter??

[Mackskibum]

Traction depends on the finish on the concrete. I have a power trowel finish since I was planning on coating the floor. A broom finish would be similar. I don't have issues with the floor being slippery. If you have a smooth finish that may be different. I do know if you have a smooth finish you have to "roughen" it to get the epoxy to stick.

[JackMac]

I also have gray epoxy. Need to prep the floors properly to ensure proper long term adhesion. I also added some lava sand to give better traction when wet.

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by JackMac

I also have gray epoxy. Need to prep the floors properly to ensure proper long term adhesion. I also added some lava sand to give better traction - not for the car, but rather to keep it from being slippery when wet (no Bon Jovi pun intented).

Great concert BTW. Prepping the floor is essential. I remember that I had to use acid on the floor before I applied the paint. Anyone use the kits from Lowes or Home Depot?