Garage Floor Epoxy

[rnt80]

Has anyone put down an epoxy floor in their garage?  I have to do two separate garages for my wife's friend using rustoleum's product.  I've already etched the floor and I went this afternoon to tape the bottom of the baseboard.  This is a new house so the floor is free of any spills, oil leaks etc.  I found out today that the owner wants the 4" concrete ledge that runs around the perimeter of the floor.  The ledge is painted and I did not etch it.  Do I need to scuff it up or sand it?  I'm assuming the paint that was used to paint the ledge is the same paint that is on the drywall and the baseboard in the garage.

 

[peter halle]

Russell,

If the paint on that part is latex, I believe that epoxy is "hotter" than latex and will lift it.  Do a test if you have the time. What is the gloss level of the paint you need to cover?

Peter

 

[score0matic]

The Rustolium product also tends to leave "chemical" roller marks.  I did a floor with out the sprinkles and when you roll it it looks fine but when it dries you can see roller pattern marks.  That was the only time i used it so maybe it was just me?
[embarassed]

Craig

 

[rnt80]

Russell,

If the paint on that part is latex, I believe that epoxy is "hotter" than latex and will lift it.  Do a test if you have the time. What is the gloss level of the paint you need to cover?

Peter

Well, I'm regretting agreeing to do this.  It's becoming more of a headache the more I do.
The gloss level of the paint is flat.  I could do a test but I'll have to mix up the epoxy and then I'll only have two hours of open time to work with the stuff.  If I do the test and it does lift it, then what?  I guess I could just mix a little, but I imagine it would be hard to get the ratio right.

 

[whk]

I'd give the technical support folks at Rustoleum a call.  If you get it wrong, it will be a mess.  I've applied a different brand (UCoatIt) of water based epoxy and at least with that brand there is one very useful tip I picked up:  If you have any cracks in the concrete, fill them with caulk before applying the epoxy.  The floor ends up looking perfect.

 

[PaulMarcel]

My neighbor has an epoxy floor in his garage.  I wanted one badly.  Then I realized it is slicker than a skating rink when clean.  That said, if I put one in, I'll mix in some of that silicate powder you can get at the paint department of Home Depot or Lowes'.  It's a package that looks like very fine salt.  It adds a lot of traction without feeling gritty.  I used it on a wheelchair ramp for my dad (in exterior paint) and it was fantastic.

As for the 4" ledge... I don't know if I didn't get it (I'm into a couple Guinness so bear with me).  Is the ledge concrete or like a 4" baseboard?  If it isn't flat with the floor, maybe you can epoxy the floor, put some on a board, then get color-matched paint to that sample board and paint it.

 

[PaulT]

The Rustolium product also tends to leave "chemical" roller marks.  I did a floor with out the sprinkles and when you roll it it looks fine but when it dries you can see roller pattern marks.  That was the only time i used it so maybe it was just me?
[embarassed]

Craig

I will agree with Craig on this.... I followed the Rustoleum Epoxy Floor instructions to a, "T", .... always kept the roller going in the same direction....and like Craig, it looked perfect when it was wet, but after drying, I could see roller marks.  I would never use the Rustoleum brand again. 

I used the tan color with chips as pictured in Rustoleum's webpage.... Rustoleum

If I had it to do over again, I would try the UCoatIt brand that comes so highly recommended on Internet searches... UCoatIt Home Page

Paul T

 

[rnt80]

My neighbor has an epoxy floor in his garage.  I wanted one badly.  Then I realized it is slicker than a skating rink when clean.  That said, if I put one in, I'll mix in some of that silicate powder you can get at the paint department of Home Depot or Lowes'.  It's a package that looks like very fine salt.  It adds a lot of traction without feeling gritty.  I used it on a wheelchair ramp for my dad (in exterior paint) and it was fantastic.

As for the 4" ledge... I don't know if I didn't get it (I'm into a couple Guinness so bear with me).  Is the ledge concrete or like a 4" baseboard?  If it isn't flat with the floor, maybe you can epoxy the floor, put some on a board, then get color-matched paint to that sample board and paint it.

The ledge is concrete and it somewhat serves as a transition between the floor and the baseboard (the baseboard sits on top of the ledge).  I thought about doing exactly what you suggested, the only problem would be that they would have to be an exact match in color and sheen.

 

[rnt80]

The Rustolium product also tends to leave "chemical" roller marks.  I did a floor with out the sprinkles and when you roll it it looks fine but when it dries you can see roller pattern marks.  That was the only time i used it so maybe it was just me?
[embarassed]

Craig

I will agree with Craig on this.... I followed the Rustoleum Epoxy Floor instructions to a, "T", .... always kept the roller going in the same direction....and like Craig, it looked perfect when it was wet, but after drying, I could see roller marks.  I would never use the Rustoleum brand again. 

I used the tan color with chips as pictured in Rustoleum's webpage.... Rustoleum

If I had it to do over again, I would try the UCoatIt brand that comes so highly recommended on Internet searches... UCoatIt Home Page

Paul T

I've really got no choice when it comes to the product.  My wife's friend has been very adamant about the fact that she wants the exact same thing that her neighbor has.  FWIW, the Rustoleum product that they sell at Dunn Edwards is different than the one that HD has.  I'm not sure if that will make a difference or not.....I guess I'll find out.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Its called a rat wall.

We poured 4' walls for the foundation of a garage and then came in and poured the floor inside the footing walls.

It did two things, allowed the framers to get going on the garage framing quicker and gave you a nice curb
all the way around the garage for water and such to slop on.

We could also come back later, if the weather was not good, and have a nice covered area to pour our garage floor.

 

[rnt80]

Thanks for the clarification.  Now I can sound like I know what I'm talking about.
I called Rustoleum and was told by one of their product reps that I need to put a small piece of duct tape on the painted rat wall and then pull it off.  If any of the paint comes off then obviously I've got a problem.  She did say that if the tape came off cleanly I could put the epoxy over it.  Does this sound right?  I know she works for the company but half way through the conversation I had to start my story all over again because it was very obvious that she wasn't listening.

 

[score0matic]

Russel
Call again with a "this call may be recorded for reference and training purposes"  and give that to the homeowner.

Or you could not warranty that part because you cant spec your own product.  but i am guessing it should work out fine.
Craig

 

[anschoo]

Exactly