Slippery Garage floor

[waycoa]

Hmmm, removing linoleum might be first step. Anyone use paint and sand on a concrete garage floor?

[Dick]

Hmmm, removing linoleum might be first step. Anyone use paint and sand on a concrete garage floor?
Don't think I'd use paint, butt a good epoxy coating would work. Add a leetle "Sharkskin" to it (a product by Sherwin Williams that provides nearly invisible traction). Biggest labor involved is proper preparation of the floor before installing product. Follow manufacturers directions.

Also, check out the big box stores for a DIY product called 'U-Coat-it' or somethang like that.

Removing the linoleum will get ya in shape, btw!!! ;)

[grifscoots]

More labor intensive, but not as slick, is to stain the concrete.

[jayjacobson]

Slippery Garage floor

I've always used some good quality indoor/outdoor carpeting. Not nearly as labor intensive as other applications. Don't have to worry about prep or installation woes. When it's done being useful, it's easily and fairly cheaply replaceable.

[kevincook]

what type of floor do you have in the garage? Is it sheet vinyl or is in vinyl composite tile? The VCT is made to apply a finish. Go to the industrial floor supply and ask for a recommendation. They'll have finish that will be glossy but will not be slippery :)

If it is sheet vinyl you can probably use the same finish but some sheet vinyl already has a finish applied so you better ask at the industrial supply store.

Good Luck,
Kevin

[Woolly]

There a company in the UK called Armstrong (might even be a US co.) who make something called 'Rhino Floor', from their US website, this is the closest I've seen to it.:-

www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/product_details.jsp?item_id=692&category=specialty

Totally non slip, and hard wearing - I have it on my garge floor.(not the best installation, but I got it free !! )

[STARFIGHTER]

If you go with one of the Epoxy coatings now available, a common practice on commercial floors is to broadcast ground walnut shells (available at company paint stores) either by hand or in a makeshift sifter made out of old coffee can with holes punched in bottom......
While the paint is still wet, you shake or throw as much grit as you want in it....
but roll out floor covering is available in a variety of patterns and colore for not too much.......check Costco online.................or Griotts garage......................

[mirage]

I have coated 6 of my garages and my hanger floor with two different systems. The first try was with a rustoleum product, water based epoxy. I was unsatisfied with the the results.

As stated the preparation is important.

The steps required make it a 3 day project.
Day One Clean, patch, water blast, acid etch
Day Two Primer
Day 3 Epoxy

First all loose concrete if any must be removed and patched.
I then use a 3000 psi gas powered water pressure blaster to clean every inch. If there is any oil, it is removed before hand with concrete cleaner.

Next, all of the products require a light acid etch, Depending on your product it is available from the supplier of the resin/epoxy you will be using.

The product I use requires a primer which is applied with a roller.

Then a two part epoxy is mixed with an electric drill and paint stirrer in gallon cans. The setup time is fairly rapid, so you need to move fast set time is about 30-40 minutes depending on temperature and humidity. I use a floor squeegee to spread and a paint roller on a long handle to back roll. If slip resistance is required a very fine silica sand is added to the epoxy mix.

The product that I have had the best success with is a philadelphia resins product called Impax. Here is the link http://www.itwresintech.com/ You can get everything you want to know about coating systems here. By the way your shoes will stick to the product and they will be throw aways when your done as will the rollers and floor squeegees.

After trying 2 systems, Impax by ITW Resin Tech has proven the best performer. My oldest application is 10 years and going strong. Anything that can can drop off your vehicles quickly cleans up.

For garages I have used battle ship haze gray and for hangers white. I would choose the gray for any new applications.

[egs]

I've refinished a couple garage floors. You can buy "traction grit" at any reputable paint store. It's like fine sand but is actually crushed stone - is said to stays "sharper" longer. Just mix it in with the paint as instructed - a little goes a long way.

First thing though is to make sure your floor is properly prepared. Get some epoxy floor paint and READ THE PREP INSTRUCTIONS. If you don't get the floor clean before applying you'll be sorry in a few months.

Also suggest you wait for warmer weather (50+) for better curing.

[UncleRock]

Plain old white paint and sand,
Rock

[RonKMiller]

Costco has grey, "diamond tread plate" vinyl in the warehouse (not on the dot com site). Very thick, 7.5 X 17 feet for $179.00.

Seeing how you don't have to do any prep and just lay it down on top of your old surface I think this is a winner. I like installing stuff with just a utility knife and straight edge...

The epoxy floor coatings are awesome but those fumes cause drain bamage. Axe me how I know. :crazy: ;)

[deputy5211]

Costco has grey, "diamond tread plate" vinyl in the warehouse (not on the dot com site). Very thick, 7.5 X 17 feet for $179.00.

Seeing how you don't have to do any prep and just lay it down on top of your old surface I think this is a winner. I like installing stuff with just a utility knife and straight edge...

The epoxy floor coatings are awesome but those fumes cause drain bamage. Axe me how I know. :crazy: ;)

They've got it in the Dallas-area stores as well. Tempted to get some, but I would have to spend a week cleaning the garage to get enough floor clear for it to fit!

[RonKMiller]

They've got it in the Dallas-area stores as well. Tempted to get some, but I would have to spend a week cleaning the garage to get enough floor clear for it to fit!

Shoot, just put up some of these bad boys first (3 for $279.00 from Costco.com) and you'll be organized and stylin!


http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11123547&search=garage&Sp=S&Mo=34&cm_re=1-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&N=0&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=garage&Ntt=garage&No=11&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

I just realized that Costco gets about 50% of my disposable income. :eek:

[dfinazzo]

Painted a garage floor with a sand mix when I lived in Minneapolis, MN

Upside - looks cool and organized, cleans up easily and leaves minimal stains

Downside - any liquid, debris or salt coming off your vehicle does not get absorbed and requires constant cleaning, squeeging and pick up. Even with sand you can still slip. The sand also presents issues when cleaning. Living in Minneapolis with all the salt and winters that last for 6 months it was a real pain.

So be prepared for work to pick up your debris!!

I did envy those guys in the south and southwest where rain and road salts were at a minimum . . .

Live in Cincinnati now and just don't know if I want to do it again . . . expecially with an LT that would topple the moment it got slick with moisture or debris!!

My 2 cents

[BLBantz]

I put down indoor-outdoor carpeting last year. The cheap stuff from Home Depot on the 12' wide rolls. I was able to carpet the entire garage with a single piece for about $110. When It gets ruined, I'll just replace it. I have plastic runners under the bikes just in case. I am very pleased with this solution. Makes it nice when working on the bikes too.

[jayjacobson]

Shoot, just put up some of these bad boys first (3 for $279.00 from Costco.com) and you'll be organized and stylin!


http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11123547&search=garage&Sp=S&Mo=34&cm_re=1-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&N=0&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=garage&Ntt=garage&No=11&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

I just realized that Costco gets about 50% of my disposable income. :eek:

That diamond plate moulding would certainly stand out. I've never seen anything like that!