Most garage floors are raw cement and left that way. Some homeowners will paint the floor with a gray paint and just leave it for years without thinking about it again. This is because it is a garage floor and no one really sees the design possibilities.
The one thing wrong with this thinking – even if you don’t care what it looks like – is that over time oil and other solvents will causes pitting in the cement make it hard to keep clean. However, with a smooth service this is easy to clean a few times a year and gives a showier appearance to an otherwise drab area.
- Clean out the garage to the bare floor
- Remove baseboards
- Remove stains: The best cleaner is TSP ( tri-sodium phosphate ) but for stubborn spots rub them with solvents
Now you are ready for whatever coating you want.
1) Epoxy: This is the most durable of the coatings as they have a rock-hard shine and are resistant to a wide variety of chemicals. The perk is that they can also come in water-based varieties. Epoxy will bond with cement however, it will fade in continuous sun.
2) Polyurethane: This cannot be applied directly to cement but needs an epoxy primer. For special designs like granite the the epoxy base is put down and then granite flecks are sprinkled in. The the polyurethane is applied. This is also the most expensive coating.
3) Latex: This coating is great for just painting the floor with no hassles. It is also the cheapest. Another great part is that the floor can be walked on within hours of painting. In 3 days you won’t have to worry about hot tires lifting the surface.
4) Concrete staining: This is for discriminating tastes as you can get almost any texture or design. However, it is prone to damage by dragging heavy equipment over the surface. It also must be sealed 2-3 times a year.
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