biffvernon
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I need a paint to go over a concrete floor. Hard wearing, impermeable, non-slip but not abrasive would be nice. Any sujestions?
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Flyfisher
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I believe two-part epoxy paints are used for industrial units, garages and workshops etc - or would this be a bit to heavy duty for your requirement?
A cheaper option woudl be something like: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Floor-Paint/Garage-Floor-Paint/invt/600300
A cheaper option woudl be something like: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Floor-Paint/Garage-Floor-Paint/invt/600300
Jon Maine
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http://www.elgood.co.uk/vites/commercial-floorpaint
Low voc option supposed to be hard wearing altho' they do resins too.
Low voc option supposed to be hard wearing altho' they do resins too.
biffvernon
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Am I right in thinking that a water-based (acryllic) paint is better on new concrete, whereas the oil based alkyd resin and epoxy resin paints need the concrete to be etched wih acid first?
In which case your suggestion, Jon, may be just the ticket. The Wicks jobbie, Fly, doesn't seem to say what's in the tin.
(No, it's not my new concrete floor. I'd have used hand knitted quarries laid in mud.)
In which case your suggestion, Jon, may be just the ticket. The Wicks jobbie, Fly, doesn't seem to say what's in the tin.
(No, it's not my new concrete floor. I'd have used hand knitted quarries laid in mud.)
Jon Maine
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Well I am not sure the etching is just to do with it being resin, all the etching does is leave a good key for whichever finish so it is more durable I would suggest roughening very smooth surfaces and removing surface fat from the concrete which would just powder away under the paint over time.
Possibly chemically there may be less need for much preparation when using the water based although to use a tub of brick acid beforehand would not be to expensive or difficult if you are careful.
I would simply go for the greener product if it is going to come up to the standards required and not need a second mortgage to pay for. It doesnt seem expensive and they have a helpline so it will be easy to establish about etching, of course alternatively mechanical abrasion can be used instead.
Possibly chemically there may be less need for much preparation when using the water based although to use a tub of brick acid beforehand would not be to expensive or difficult if you are careful.
I would simply go for the greener product if it is going to come up to the standards required and not need a second mortgage to pay for. It doesnt seem expensive and they have a helpline so it will be easy to establish about etching, of course alternatively mechanical abrasion can be used instead.
biffvernon
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Yes I'd rather have the greener product. I read somewhere on the Internet (so it must be true) that newish concrete is too alkaline and this affects the oil-based paints adversly. The acid treatment is more than about giving a key to a smooth surface.
brackendale
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Biff having used both oil based paint and a two pack resin system for garage floors, i would reccomend the two pack system. The oil based paint tended to chip and flake very easily while the two pack stood up to the constant use of a motorcycle center stand being used daily very well.
John
John
Feltwell
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I'd completely echo what Brackendale has just said. I used a 2 pack system on a (newly laid) garage floor at my last house, it worked a treat, also including motorbike center stands (which always chip the "normal" garage floor paints).
The system I used had a primer that went on first, followed 24 hours later by a 2-pack epoxy topcoat, applied by roller - very easy. They also gave you a load of coloured "chips" which you scattered onto the wet topcoat - they acted both as a decorative finish and provided some anti-slip properties.
Unfortunately I don't think you can buy the system in the UK - I blagged a sample pack as I worked at the head office of one of the big DIY retailers at the time, it came in from a prospective supplier. "Garage Floor Doctor" was the brand if you can find it. I've seen plenty of similar commercial systems though, many designed for warehouse floor use to stop "dusting" caused by forklift tyres.
The system I used had a primer that went on first, followed 24 hours later by a 2-pack epoxy topcoat, applied by roller - very easy. They also gave you a load of coloured "chips" which you scattered onto the wet topcoat - they acted both as a decorative finish and provided some anti-slip properties.
Unfortunately I don't think you can buy the system in the UK - I blagged a sample pack as I worked at the head office of one of the big DIY retailers at the time, it came in from a prospective supplier. "Garage Floor Doctor" was the brand if you can find it. I've seen plenty of similar commercial systems though, many designed for warehouse floor use to stop "dusting" caused by forklift tyres.
Jon Maine
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biffvernon said:
point taken, a certain neutralising effect also then
Aidan
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I've never used it myself, but had dealings with contractors and suppliers.
Every floor paint I've seen used has flaked within a year, except the epoxy stuff. I was told that the manufacturer's recommendationd for the 2-part epoxy was to use some sort of wet grit blaster on the floor which exposed the aggregate and gave a key for the finish to adhere to. It also dries to an ice-rink like sheen and the non-slip finish was achieved by scattering 'silica sand' on the top (the sales rep who told me that seemed to be drunk at the time, so don't take that as being correct). There are probably more accurate recommendations on the maker's web sites.
Every floor paint I've seen used has flaked within a year, except the epoxy stuff. I was told that the manufacturer's recommendationd for the 2-part epoxy was to use some sort of wet grit blaster on the floor which exposed the aggregate and gave a key for the finish to adhere to. It also dries to an ice-rink like sheen and the non-slip finish was achieved by scattering 'silica sand' on the top (the sales rep who told me that seemed to be drunk at the time, so don't take that as being correct). There are probably more accurate recommendations on the maker's web sites.
Feltwell
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Aidan said:
We had a finish put on our warehouse floor at work, and that was how they did that - but that floor gets considerably more abuse than a domestic garage, as it has forklifts and pallet trucks going over it all day which are obviously very heavy and which "scrub" their tyres a lot as they turn in and out of the warehouse racking.
The one I used for my garage just had a primer, and it seemed to stick OK - it was down for 4 years before I left the house and showed no signs of wear at all.
An alternative solution to paint is a loose-lay tile system like the one below. I've seen these systems used commercially in vehicle workshops to good effect + it's made from "up to 50%" recycled materials - how much it's environmental credentials would stand up to close scrutiny I don't know.
http://www.versatileflooring.co.uk/garage/garage_home.htm
If you have had your sense of good taste surgically removed you could always go for the Ferrari option - take a look at their gallery!
A much cheaper but less durable option would be foam-type tiles - depends what the floor is to be used for - put "garage flooring" into Ebay and there's lot of people selling this.