Are you tired of those ugly oil spot stains on your garage floor?  Do you have some cracking and peeling that makes everything look cheap and worn out?  Would you be willing to spend part of a weekend fixing this problem?  If so, then read on as I describe how to apply a garage floor coating that will make solve these problems.

There are several types of coatings which can be applied to concrete floors and there are two things you need to ask yourself.  How long do I want the covering to last, and  do I want to color the floor?  If you just want a short term solution then you can go with a basic garage floor paint.  These are usually an enamel and are very easy to apply with a paint roller.  If you go this route be sure to also purchase a kit of non-slip material to spread on top.  If you don’t, the floor can become very slick if there is any leaking of oil or water from snow or rain brought in and dripped off the car.  A floor paint will usually last one to two years before it starts to wear off.

A better long term solution is to apply epoxy based garage floor coatings.  The epoxy cures to a very hard surface and if applied correctly will bond to the concrete and not peel up.  Like the paint, you want to apply a non-slip additive to the surface after you have mixed and rolled out the epoxy.  You have two choices for this material.  The first is a gritty sand like layer that is cast on the surface before it cures completely.  This works very well as it gives quite good traction.  The second option, paint chips, is becoming more popular, though, as it adds a nice touch of color.  This option offers very good footing and also can give you second color on the floor for accenting.

No matter which coating you choose the entire key to success is going to be the preparation.  You absolutely must have a completely clean surface to bond either the paint or the epoxy properly.  Also, if you already have a clear coat, which is common in many newer garages, this will need to be removed in order to give a good bond.

The first step to preparation is to sweep and wash the floor with soap and water.  Next, use a good degreaser on any of the oil spots you may have.  The number one complaint about garage floor treatments is they don’t stick if there is any petroleum on the floor.  You can check this with the water test.  Spray a sheen of water on the floor and see how the water reacts.  If it beads up in certain spots you then will need to do more degreasing.  If the entire floor beads then you have a clear coat which will be removed in the next step.  Once the floor passes the bead test you are ready for the etching.

Etching is done with a weak muriatic acid solution which is spread on the surface and allowed to work for a few minutes.  It actually removes the clear coat and creates small voids in the surface which allow the new floor coating to bond better.  This is not a dangerous mixture but it should be flushed with plenty of water and kept away from plants.

Once the floor is prepared, let it sit overnight with a heater running to completely dry it out.  The next day all you need to do is apply the garage floor coating as per the instructions on the kit.  If you have done a good job of preparing the floor then you should have a result that is very nice.

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