OT. NE1 paint their garage floor with Griots floor paint or other type of paint ?

[DaveS]

I was looking at Griots Industrial non-lifting 2 part paint. I assume it is an epoxy since there is a part A and B. How does this hold up? Any other suggestions in a floor covering?

Thanks,

Dave S.

[geordie]

I bought a 2 part system at Lowes (Sorry, don't remember the brand but it came with "speckle chips"), about 3 years ago.
The paint has lifted due to tyre wear in a few spots.
The reason it has lifted (I think) is poor preparation. The etching solution I used wasn't strong enough.
The paint kit came with a citric acid based etching compound. I've since learned that for painting concrete you need to use muriatic acid to etch the surface.
Next time I think I'll do what Periokid did, those B&W industrial tiles look so cool.
Good luck with whatever you use

[bbsilver]

There are several different ways. There are 1-part epoxy paints (cure with water or humidity in the air), 2-part epoxy paints, and some clean acrylic (I think). Can't tell you how they stand up against each other. I believe the 2-part are tougher, but they are also harder to apply, mixing sucks, and will last just as long as the 1-part if the surface finish isn't right. Surface prep is critical. Look at Behr's recommendation.


http://www.behr.com/behrx/act/view/products_detail?prodGroupId=14&catName=Concrete%20 Floor%20Coatings&catId=5

[Buellwinkle]

I used the stuff at Home Depot with the flakes. They too said non lifting but over the last 2 1/2 years it did lift where the tires rest on the stuff but it's not bad. I prepped really well to. Used the stuff that came with the kit, floor degreaser and finally muiatic acid to actually etch the concrete (not even required but I did it anyway). Took 1 1/2 days to prep, about a 1/2 day to paint (3 car garage) and used 2 full 2 car garage kits to apply 2 coats as recommended. It's a 2 part expoxy like Griot. The flakes are supposed to provide a little protection and keep the paint from sticking to the tires.

My only reservation about it is that it does fade and get dull. But it has been very useful, stains and dirt don't stick to it so hosing out the garage is great, just use a large squeege to dry if off.

Is the Griot stuff better, maybe, but haven't seen anyone do it to compare it to.

Just in case you are open to other options. Home Depot sells commercial grade vinyl tiles in black and white. If you floor is relatively flat, these do a wonderful job and are pretty cheap. I'll probably try that next. They also get dull as expected but you can buff and wax the tile if you want. This is the kinda of tiles they use for flooring in commercial applications like supermarkets. For me I like grouping the tiles in 4 to make a 2' by 2' pattern of each color, less busy than a 1' by 1' pattern.

[Johnny3]

Find a cement finisher in your area & get a price on having it scored in equal size squares or diagonally for a diamond look (they use a cement saw), then they will prep it & apply die & put a coat of sealer for a finish coat. Several colors are available, I did my concrete patio in 24" squares (12'X 30'), verrry nice looking & oil, grease, water won't soak in. Very permanent.

[YAWP320]

I too have used a 2 part epoxy resin to paint my garage floor. It looks great with no problems from 'hot tire pickup'. The only damage is self-inflicked scratches and chips mostly. It has faded but only in the 3" area just outside the closed garage door.

The stuff I used was Valspar Brand; which I highly recommend over Epoxy Coat Brand. I used the other brand in my basement first, it doesn't look as nice.

I used the dark grey color in the garage with the color flakes thrown in. Surface prep is key I only used Thompson's Brand Cement/Garage floor cleaner; though it was in a much higher concentration than instructed along with a mop and power washer. My floor was fairly clean because I painted the floor the spring after we moved in so it was nearly new.

It took 2 full gallons of the product to do a small 2 car garage. Only 2 negative points regarding the product I used: It is squeaky especially when you turn the wheels of the car and it is slippery when wet. I can't do anything about these but you can buy 'grit' to mix in with the epoxy paint which will eliminate the slippery when wet condition.

I just got a digital camera so maybe over the weekend I'll pop some photos. Good luck!

[Buellwinkle]

That's a way to go if you floors are pristine to begin with. Mine are cracked, have permanent stains from years of neglect. The only way to truly cover it is tiles. Painting is good at covering the stains though, just doesn't fill the cracks at all.