Epoxy for my Garage Floor

[LifeIsGood]

I know there are other threads dealing with the topic of garage flooring. I'm not really interested in Race Deck or tiles. I'm going with a full flake multi-layer epoxy (1/4" flakes). I've researched it and talked to local installers. I'm trying to avoid plasticizer migration which happens when the plasticizers in tires leach and cause darkening in the top coat.

Here's the issue. I'm finding the top coat is where the issue lies. The most common top coats are epoxy and urethane. Epoxy is the best choice for minimizing the tire spots, but it doesn't have UV protection so it will 'amber' over time from the sunlight exposure. Urethane has the UV protection, but is more susceptible to plasticizer migration.

Is this research flawed? What has been your experience?

I definitely want my garage floor epoxied and I will deal with the tire spotting if I have to. I just wanted to know the facts before proceeding.

Thanks in advance.

[plumcrazy]

i wont get into the materials but absolutely spend a lot of time in prep before laying any product. more money and time spent on prep will help your cause

[LifeIsGood]

It's a brand new house so the concrete is new. There will be a diamond grind done before any layers are started.

[sparkrn]

I used a product from Sherwin Williams called Shield Crete which I have been pretty happy with. It's been down for about 8years and has only lifted under my most used cars tire area. The garage is heated so I guess that helps up here in the winters. It is a water based epoxy but I hear that there is better than water based ones available. it depends on how you will use the floor though. If I had a clean slate like you, I would use a rated stone tile like you see in hotel entry ways. If you really do a lot of work in the garage I would use dye on the floor to make it look like marble.

[Vprbite]

Let me ask my buddy. He built a house abour a year ago and I will see what he went with. He is an engineer so he doesn't pick up a pencil without researching it first. And, since he has a lotus, he knew he would be doing a ton of work. Hahaha. Lotuses (loti? Lotusees? Whatever the plural of lotus is) fall apart.

I will ask him though because I knew his decision was based on longevity and being able to do work. And LIG, I know you do all your own wrenching so that's something that effects your decision I'm sure.


Edit----I talked to my friend and he went with a non-water based epoxy, full flake. He can't remember the brand right now but the local installer recommended it. He said if he had to do it again, he wouldn't do the flake for 2 reasons. One, it hurts your back/knees and 2, he said it makes seeing dropped fasteners a total bitch. He said if he was doing it again he would do no flake and a light, solid color because it reflects light well and makes it easy to see spilled liquids or dropped fasteners. He said the flake camouflages oil or fasteners and he doesn't like that. He said it looks awesome but he doesn't recommend it for wrenching.

So that's his opinion. I hope it helps you make your decision on what's best for you.

One thing I can personally recommend no matter your garage floor type or especially at the track where you might be on asphalt, get a yoga mat. They roll up extremely small but are really comfortable. I took my girlfriends old one when she got a newer, nicer one. I couldn't belive how comfortable it was for how small it rolls up. It's way more comfortable than any bedroll I ever backpacked with. And this is an entry level one. Her new one is an expensive, brand name one. So those of you who have flake and find if digging into your back a bit, take your wife's yoga mat. Surprisingly comfy.