Garage Floor Epoxy Coating Paint Kit Reviews
As you may already know, epoxy coating is one of the best materials you can use to coat your garage floor. It is an incredibly hard wearing, long lasting, durable material that is available at a fraction of the cost of other flooring options. So today we are going to be looking at the best garage floor epoxy coating reviews.
There is a broad range of different kinds of epoxy coating on the market right now, mainly because of the huge explosion in this materials popularity. Manufacturers have created different products that suit different situations (and different people).
We are going to take a look at 5 of the most popular, well-known epoxy coatings to see what they do well (and what they don’t do well) to help you decide which one is the right product for you.
Let’s get started.
Best Garage Floor Epoxy Coating Paint Kit Reviews
Title
Rust-Oleum 261845 EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating , 2 gal, Gray
Rust-Oleum 238466 Professional Floor Coating Kit, Dunes Tan
Rust-Oleum 251965 Garage Floor Kit, Gray
Rust-Oleum 292514 Epoxy Shield Premium Series Clear Floor Coating Kit,
Valspar (81052) Premium Clear Epoxy Kit - 1 Gallon
Works on
Interior concrete surfaces
Interior concrete surfaces
Interior concrete surfaces
Interior concrete surfaces
Interior concrete surfaces
Finish
Semi-Gloss
Semi-Gloss
Gloss
High-Gloss
Glossy
Covers
Up to 500 sq ft
Up to 200 sq ft
Up to 250 sq ft
Up to 250 sq ft
Up to 250 sq ft
Walk on ready
24 hours
1 day
1 day
1 day
1 day
Drive on ready
72 hours
4 days
3 days
3 days
3 days
Rating
Reviews
122 Reviews
261 Reviews
91 Reviews
37 Reviews
55 Reviews
Prime
Price
$144.46
from $111.08
$73.77
$94.00
$87.99
Where to Buy
1. Rust-Oleum 261845 EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating
Rust-Oleum is one of the biggest brands in the world when it comes to paints and resins. Their products have been used by professionals and homeowners alike for years now – and their reputation is formidable, to say the least. All of their products are made under the strictest standards in the USA and include detailed easy to understand instructions.
Our first entry from Rust-Oleum here is their much loved and critically acclaimed epoxy shield product. It’s a water based epoxy that has been specifically formulated to resist chemical spills (that are all too common in the garage). It’s a great product that can cover over 500 feet (which is about a 2 and a half car garage) and is low odor thanks to its water-based chemical formula.
The light gray finish on this product is nothing short of spectacular; it creates a showroom quality finish that will rival some of the floors inside your home for beauty. The ExpoySheild comes with decorative metallic flakes which you can scatter around before your final top coat layer. It’s an effect so beautiful you may be afraid to drive your car on it.
But of course, you can drive your car on it – it’s a super strong, super durable epoxy that is not just a beautiful face. (It’s not as strong as the concrete like Aerocoat above, but it’s more than up to the job).
The EpoxyShield also comes with the anti slip additive that the first Rust-Oleum product we mentioned on this list has. It has the same benefits and will ensure you can rely on the flooring to keep you upright, even if you step in a chemical or water spill.
This product doesn’t have all the additional kit you are going to need to install the flooring like the Aerocoat – but it does have all the things we would expect to see. It includes the epoxy, cleaner, mixing stick, metallic flakes, and the anti-slip additive.
Issues
There isn’t much we can say about this product. It’s a superb all-rounder that is easy to install, long lasting, and hard working. If we were picky, you should watch out for the super grippy nature of the anti-slip additive if you are planning on woodworking in the garage. It’s difficult to sweep up sawdust because it grips to the floor.
Pros
- Beautiful
- Hard working
- Durable
- Large coverage area
Cons
- Too grippy for sawdust cleaning
Conclusion
This is a stunningly beautiful epoxy coating that will transform your garage into a thing of beauty. It’s not something that you can fully appreciate until you have it in front of you. It makes the garage feel like an extension of your home. This beauty combined with the super durable and super tough nature of the epoxy makes it a winner in our book. Highly recommended for anyone that wants to add a little bit of luxury to their floor.
2. Rust-Oleum Professional Floor Coating Kit
Another entry from the super brand Rust-Oleum this time we are recommending their 238466 epoxy kit. It’s reasonably similar to their other offerings on this list in many respects, but we felt it was worthy of a mention because of a few unique features.
The main thing we love about this product is its color. The stunning “Dunes Tan” is something that you will certainly want to consider. Its beautiful tan brown color is reminiscent of Saharan sand dunes and creates quite a sense of opulence – which is unusual for a garage. The kit also includes several metallic flakes which are brown, white, and black in color. When these are scattered throughout the floor, it combines with the stunning base color to make something that is truly special.
As you would expect from Rust-Oleum, this is not just a pretty face. It’s a hard working, durable, and incredibly robust epoxy that will easily stand the test of time. It has the same anti-slip coating as the others on this page and will resist stains and spills with ease.
Included in the kit are the 2 part epoxy resin, a mixing stick, the metallic flakes, full English instructions, and the anti-slip additive. Installation is incredibly easy, and you will have ample time to roll out the epoxy before it becomes too hard to work with.
Issues
The metallic flakes can be a little bit over the top for some people. They are an incredibly elegant finish that will make your garage stand out, to say the least. If you want to include them or not is totally up to you as they are not premixed and are added on their own. We think that if there was ever a room in your home, you could go a little bit crazy on it’s the garage. But, that’s our personal choice, and we know that many people would disagree with us.
Pros
- Very durable
- Anti-slip coating
- Beautiful base color
- Metallic flakes
- Easy to install
Cons
- Metallic flakes can be a little bit gaudy for some peoples tastes
Conclusion
We love the way this product looks when it has been installed. As you might have guessed by now, we also love the metallic flakes. We understand why some people may not like them; they are certainly intense. But for us, they are just the icing on the cake. The main thing we like about this product is the tan brown basecoat itself. It transforms your garage into something interesting, and beautiful (while being super hard working at the same time).
3. Rust-Oleum Premium Series Clear Floor Coating Kit
I know what you are thinking, another Rust-Oleum product… But honestly, they are the kings of this industry. The products they make are so good that it’s hard for most brands to compete with them (although some do manage to do so!).
What makes this product so special is that is a totally colorless epoxy. It’s almost like a clear coat. This creates quite an interesting effect because it provides a super high gloss finish to whatever material your garage floor currently is.
This can look great on concrete floors. It’s not as exotic and interesting as some of the other glitterier colorful options, but glossy concrete does have its own charm. (Plus there are metallic flakes included in this kit which you can add if you want to have a unique concrete / metallic flake thing going on).
This product will cover around 200 square feet of floor area, which is about enough for a large one car garage. Installation is easy, and like all Rust-Oleum products, you will have plenty of time to install it without needing to rush. This is a particularly quick curing epoxy, and you can use your garage again as normal within three days of completing the project.
There is a great little addition to this kit that is not usually included, the acid etch. Many other brands (and some Rust-Oleum kits too) leave this essential component out.
Now admittedly they are not obliged to include it, acid etch is part of the preparation required for epoxy installation and is usually considered a separate item. But we love the fact they have made this a complete, all in one kit by including it here.
Issues
The main issue we have with this product is actually nothing to do with the product itself. It works perfectly and is very easy to use (as you would expect from Rust-Oleum). The problems begin with your existing flooring. For this epoxy to look anywhere near as good as some of the other (nonclear) products on this page – your garage floor needs to look pretty darn good already.
If not, the current imperfections that it has will be visible (and they will be almost irreversibly enshrined in epoxy for years to come).
Pros
- Easy to install
- Reputable brand
- Non-slip
- Contains metallic flakes
- Acid etch is included
- Fast curing
Cons
- The lack of color is a little bit boring for our personal tastes.
Conclusion
We personally don’t think this is something we would use in our day to day lives, mainly because of the lack of color. As we mentioned in the previous review, we believe that you should be able to go a little bit wild with the décor of your garage. Clear coating a concrete floor seems to be the opposite of that to us.
However, this being said – it does look beautiful. The super high gloss shine creates a unique look that might surprise you a little. Can you think of any other time you have seen glossy concrete?
We also really like the quick drying nature of this product. Many people will have all kinds of expensive tools (and vehicles) that need to remain under lock and key as much as possible. The three-day turnaround time is much quicker than many other products on the market and is not something that should be overlooked.
Overall this is a super hard working, durable, nonslip epoxy that is perfectly suited for use in garage flooring.
4. Rust-Oleum 251965 Garage Floor Kit, Gray
The final product on our list is from Rust-Oleum (again) and is one of the most beautiful epoxy flooring kits on the market. Its stunning colors are going to make your garage feel like a Mercedes showroom, and it will glisten and sparkle under your lighting.
It has been specially formulated to resist all kinds of chemical spill you are likely to encounter in a garage, and it is totally resistant to hot tire pickup. It cleans easily with soap and water, and like all of Rust-Oleums products, it is manufactured in the USA.
The most amazing part of this kit is that it doesn’t require acid etching. This is something of a rarity in the world of epoxy flooring. Acid etching is almost essential in most cases and can take around two days to complete before you can start applying the epoxy. This makes this product that can be installed in record time from start to finish.
The color we mentioned earlier is simply divine. It’s a light smoke gray color that just seems to be the perfect shade for a garage. The kit also includes black, blue, and white metallic flakes (in huge quantities).
The combined effect is nothing short of magnificent, and it creates an interesting, luxurious feel to your garage – without it being too overpowering or gaudy.
Issues
Quite honestly we found it very hard to think of anything we would change about this product. Everything seems to be exactly as it should be.
Pros
- Reputable brand
- Stunningly beautiful
- Super hard working
- Lots of metallic flakes
- No need to acid etch
Cons
- None
Conclusion
This is our top pick, and it’s an amazing epoxy that has incredible durability. We love the way that you don’t need to acid etch the floor before installing it. This will save you a day of hard work and a day of waiting before installation.
The colors are spectacular and are the perfect balance between interesting and “too much.” But if you do want something over the top, then Rust-Oleum provide so many flakes with this kit that you can go crazy with them if you want to. Most people don’t use them all – but we think you should. Why not! It’s the garage!
5. Valspar (81052) Premium Clear Epoxy Kit
Valspar is one of the budget options on this list. They create excellent products considering their price point which are just as durable as some of the bigger brand names we have already talked about.
The 81052 is a single car garage kit that is a clear coat epoxy like the Rust-Oleum above. Again like the Rust-Oleum, it will create a high glossy shine that will transform the appearance of the material you are laying it on. The colored metallic flakes that are included can be liberally dispersed throughout the floor to give it a little bit of extra detail if you wish.
Just because it is a cheaper option to some of the other products on this page doesn’t mean it’s any less durable. You are going to have a hard working, long lasting, chemical resistant garage floor if you decide to install the Valspar.
This is a bare bones kit and only includes the 2 part epoxy, and the metallic flakes. But as this is being sold as a budget product we don’t see any problem with that.
Issues
As you might expect from a budget product, there are a few sacrifices that need to be made to obtain the saving. The main issue with the Valspar is the installation. You do not have a massive amount of time to install it before it hardens, and you do need to work hard to get it all done in time.
This being said, it’s not impossible – and you should be able to do it if you work hard at it.
The second issue we have with the product is that it takes a reasonably long time to cure fully. It takes around four days before it becomes totally solid (which is only a day longer than most of the other products on this page).
The issue is however that during this time you cannot enter the garage at all, it stays reasonably soft until it is fully cured (unlike some of the others on this list that you can “unofficially” walk on after two days).
If you do walk on it too early, it can leave marks and dull patches that will remain in place for the entirety of the life of your floor. And trust us, that becomes annoying, really quickly.
Pros
- Cheap
- High gloss
- Metallic flakes
Cons
- A little bland for our tastes
- Takes longer to cure
Conclusion
We have no real issues with this product. It’s a budget product and as such has a few downsides compared to the other brands on this page. If you are on a tight budget, it’s a product that will do the job just fine.
But quite honestly, we recommend you try and find the cash to get one of the better products. You are only ever going to have to epoxy your garage flooring once – it makes sense to spend the reasonably small additional amount on a better product.
Ultimate Guide
When it comes to home flooring, there is nowhere that needs to a more robust floor than the garage. Over time it will be subjected to many bangs, dents, knocks, and chemical spills that would destroy most flooring types.
There are however a handful of types of flooring that can withstand the rigors of a garage. The for many many years. Garage Floor Epoxy is one of those materials, and it is rising in popularity year on year.
Today we are going to tell you absolutely everything you could ever want to know about Epoxy flooring.
What Is Epoxy Flooring?
First things first. Epoxy is not the name of the actual material that is being used here. The word Epoxy actually refers to the chemical composition of the material (specifically the way it hardens).
Epoxy is a two-part system, on their own, neither of the parts will harden to become a solid. But when combined together, the chemicals interact with one another and become a single solid material.
This is what people call Epoxy, but the actual chemicals used under that “umbrella” term can vary. Regardless of the chemicals used, Epoxy has some very impressive qualities that make it ideal to be used as flooring.
It is incredibly strong and durable, it will bond with most materials that could be used as a base layer, is completely nonporous, and it is very easily repaired.
In fact, it is so strong, and it is one of the most common materials used for flooring in heavy traffic or high footfall areas (For example factories, hospitals, and schools). I’m sure you will agree, it sounds perfect for garage flooring.
Types Of Epoxy Flooring Systems
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There is a wide range of different Epoxy flooring systems, each with their own set of strengths and weaknesses.
Here we will list some of the most popular, and common types of Epoxy that could be suitable for use in the garage. (All of these types of Epoxy can be No other material can as an Epoxy coating too).
- Self Levelling
As you can imagine from the name, Self Levelling Epoxy flooring levels itself. It’s one of the toughest kinds of Epoxy and can be found in warehouses and factories all over the world.
Because of its super durable nature, it is perfect for areas that expect to have a large amount of constant traffic (for example forklift trucks or trollies). It is so hard, it is almost overkill for a garage floor – but in reality, it’s the most popular choice.
It is most commonly used directly upon old concrete floors that can have cracks or bumps in them. The thinner nature of the Epoxy when it is its liquid form means it can easily get into every little crack and hole to create a singular solid surface. So providing you use enough of it to cover all the bumps in your floor. You can get a perfectly flat, perfectly smooth floor with the minimum of effort.
Self Leveling Epoxy can be colored any way you like. Epoxy is generally clear, so it is easy for manufacturers to create all kinds of colors ranging from subtle dark tones, through to electric neon pink.
The one issue with self-leveling Epoxy (and a few other types of Epoxy) is that it can be a little bit slippery, especially when wet. Self Leveling Epoxy can be mixed with quartz sand which will harden with the material when it sets. This makes the surface much less slippery and is a great option for garage flooring due to the inevitable oil and water spills that will happen during the day to day life.
- Mortar
This is the toughest, strongest, hardest working Epoxy on the market right now. You may have come across it in some form or another already – it is commonly used in skateboard parks and heavy industrial areas.
It is much more tricky to install than self-levelling Epoxy and can also cost quite a bit more too. So while this is the strongest Epoxy you can buy, we don’t recommend it. It is far too expensive and too difficult to install to be justified for use as garage flooring.
- Gravel / Stone
Stone Epoxy Flooring is an excellent option for people who want to make their garage a little special inside instead of just being a space to store their car and tools. This kind of Epoxy is made by mixing small stones or pieces of gravel with a solid Epoxy mixture and then manually spreading it out on the floor. Once laid down it is then sealed with a final top coat for protection.
Like all Epoxy flooring, it is very tough, but it is a little bit less durable than self-leveling Epoxy. Gravel Epoxy is much more expensive than self-leveling and will take significantly longer to install. But if you are looking for something that is beautiful and durable – this could be the Epoxy for you.
- Decorative / Flake
This is not a different kind of Epoxy, but we thought it deserved its section. Decorative Epoxy flooring can be made by mixing various substances in with self-leveling Epoxy to make a solid, dazzling, and impressive floor that does not cost much more to make.
There is a wide range of substances that can be used to make Epoxy decorative, but two of the most popular are flake and glitter.
Flake is a series of usually pearlescent metallic flakes that are scattered around the floor before the final top coat layer. This adds a sparkle to your floor wherever you stand in the room and is quite a strong effect (that might not be to everyone’s tastes).
But if you are the kind of person that like to make a bold statement with their flooring, perhaps you should go one further and get glitter Epoxy.
Like the flake above, glitter is spread by hand over the penultimate layer of Epoxy and then sealed with the final top layer. The effect is something that has to be seen to be believed, and your entire floor will look like glitter. Again, this might not be to everyone’s tastes – but it doesn’t cost much more to do, and is a very dramatic effect, to say the least.
We like the idea of these slightly outlandish and daring Epoxy flooring designs. If there is ever a place in the home that you can go a little bit wild with the décor – it’s the garage.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Durable
You will not find many materials for garage flooring that are more durable than Epoxy. It will be able to withstand the stresses of garage life with ease, so you don’t worry about dropping tools on it, spilling chemicals on it, or anything else for that matter.
- Cheap
Epoxy is incredibly cheap to install, especially compared to other materials of the same quality. Things get a little expensive when you start to use fancy epoxies (like gravel Epoxy) but again – compared to other fancy alternatives, it’s cheap.
- Customizable
The clear nature of Epoxy means that it is easy to customize the color to whatever you want. Some of the best manufacturers will even totally customize the Epoxy color to match other items. So if you have a motorbike or a classic car that is your pride and joy, why not get an exact color match Epoxy resin floor to match it.
- Easy To Clean
Because Epoxy is nonporous cleaning is super easy, and super quick. A simple mop will glide over the floor with next to no effort at all, and a single car garage can be cleaned in under 5 minutes.
- Long Lasting
There is a running joke among builders who install Epoxy resin floors. They often say “this floor will outlast the house.” Many times, this silly little joke is true. You will get decades of use out of an Epoxy garage floor before it needs to be replaced. It really is a case of set and forgets.
Cons
- Slippery
The biggest issue for many people with Epoxy is the fact that it can be very slippery when wet. This can be quite a serious hazard because of a slip onto something as solid and unforgiving as Epoxy flooring can be a recipe for a trip to the hospital.
This issue can be mitigated by adding quartz sand into the Epoxy when it is being installed, and as such, it is something we highly recommend.
- Can Be Tricky To Install
While installing Epoxy is something that requires less technical knowledge than installing something like concrete – it can be reasonably fiddly and tricky to install.
With patience, it’s a task that most people would be able to undertake successfully. But keeping the required amount of patience for the entirety of the project can be a little tricky. Gravel Epoxy is especially difficult to install, be prepared for several days of work.
How Much Does Garage Floor Epoxy Cost?
Get ready to be excited. Epoxy is one of the cheapest ways to coat your garage floor in the world.
You are going to roughly be paying around $30 to $40 per square meter of flooring for the actual Epoxy itself (if you are using self-leveling Epoxy). But there are a few additional costs that should also be taken into account. Things like:
- Acid etch or floor grinder hire
- Drill Mixer
- Glitter or metallic flake
- Coloring
- Buckets, rollers, mixing sticks, etc
The only other additional cost that you will come across is if you are using gravel or stone Epoxy.
You do not need to buy any “special” Epoxy stone, and any nonporous stone should do (check with the store before you buy). This can be a significant additional cost, but there are also some reasonably cheap options that could be considered if you wish to keep things within a reasonably small budget.
How To Apply Garage Floor Epoxy
Epoxy flooring is reasonably easy to install, depending on the kind of Epoxy you are using. Here we are going to mainly talk about the steps involved for self-leveling Epoxy as it is the most common.
Technically you do not need two people to carry out the steps below. But due to the time-sensitive nature of the project (you need to get the floor done before the Epoxy hardens), it is better to have a friend or family member help you for the day.
- Step 1 – Preparation
You may have heard the saying “proper preparation prevents poor performance,” and this has never been truer than when working with Epoxy. We know it is tempting to skip the preparation and dive straight into the good stuff – but resist that urge. If you do this step properly, you will thank yourself in years to come when your floor is still going strong.
First thing is; first, you need to inspect the garage floor to see if it needs to be sanded back before applying the Epoxy. Epoxy will not adhere properly to a concrete floor that has been sealed or coated. If your garage is sealed or coated, you will need to hire a floor sander and sand it all off before applying the Epoxy.
You should also check for moisture on the flooring. Epoxy can handle a little bit of moisture and still cure properly – but too much and you will start to encounter problems. Check for white patches of Efflorescence on the concrete or constant areas of dampness.
(Even if you have no signs of damp you should conduct a concrete dampness test just to be on the safe side – it’s much easier to fix before you apply Epoxy to the floor).
If your moisture check comes back ok, then it’s time to get cleaning. Check for any oil stains on the concrete because they will repel the Epoxy (regardless of how old they are). They are not difficult to clean up and need to be removed before you continue any further.
Once your garage floor is free from moisture, and oil its time to sweep up. Do an excellent job here; your garage floor should be the cleanest it has ever been. Every single little bit of dirt and dust should be removed (if it gets into the Epoxy it can be visible, and it becomes permanently irritating).
- Step 2 – Profiling
Profiling is probably the most important step in the whole of the application process. It essentially opens up the concrete on a microscopic level making it slightly porous. This allows the Epoxy to bond with the concrete securely and fully. Failure to do this step properly can ruin your floor (and we should mention here that removing an Epoxy floor is an incredibly difficult task). Take the time to do this properly.
Ideally, you will grind the floor with a floor grinder, and this is the best method to properly open up the concrete allowing it to accept the Epoxy as much as possible. Make sure you clean up properly after doing this, dust will get everywhere. You are going to have to clean like you have never cleaned before! A good test is to run your finger over the surface of the concrete after you think you have finished cleaning. If you get a build up of white powder on your finger, then you need to get the broom out again – because you have not cleaned enough.
However, if you don’t have a floor grinder, you could also use an acid etch for this step. An acid etch is much simpler and involves “mopping” a liquid acidic substance over the concrete which eats into it. This has a similar, but less effective effect as grinding (but it’s usually more than enough in most cases). If you use acid etching be sure to give your floor adequate time to dry, as it will continue to release moisture even after it looks dry to the eye (48 hours will be enough time).
Once you have done this step you should treat your garage as a clean room, nothing and no one should go in it until the floor is completed. The smallest bit of dirt or oil or grease at this stage can ruin the flooring.
- Step 3 – Apply Epoxy
This is the crunch moment before you get to this point you need to double check absolutely everything. Make sure you have a dedicated mixing station (outside the garage), ensure you have all the equipment you need, ensure you have enough Epoxy, and ensure you have planned what you are going to do down to the last little detail.
This is going to be a time sensitive operation. Don’t worry too much, because you will have enough time for it with some to spare if you are comfortable with all the steps. But you won’t have enough time to watch youtube videos on how to do it once you have started.
Each manufacturer will have their own process you need to follow, so this section should be considered a rough guide only. In every instance, the manufacturer’s instructions should supersede anything we say here.
Firstly you need to ensure both parts of your Epoxy do not have any sediment in them so mix the bottles individually first. Be sure to use a separate mixing stick for each bottle, because if you don’t, you will start the chemical hardening reaction accidentally.
If you need more than one container of Epoxy for your floor, it is best to mix them all together at the same time in one big batch. If you don’t do this color uniformity can be an issue, and you will have lighter patches and darker patches on your floor.
Mix both parts together using a mixing drill until the color is uniform (follow the manufacturer’s recommendation here). If this is your top coat, then this is where you would also add the quartz sand (if you have decided to use it). Do not introduce air bubbles into the Epoxy mixture (bubbles will say in the Epoxy after it has set and will weaken the floor), so mix gently.
Once mixed the application process is reasonably easy. Simply apply a small amount in a long thin section and then roller it flat around the area. If you notice any areas that need touching up while you are doing this, then fix them immediately (doing it after you have done other sections can make it look worse).
Multiple thinner layers are usually advised as opposed to a few thicker layers. Although if you are doing the colored layer, then it is best to be liberal with the thickness.
Once you have done the coat leave it to cure as per the manufacturer’s recommendations (usually overnight) and then repeat the process for the next layer.
If you are applying glitter or flake, you should do this immediately after you have finished applying your penultimate layer. Scatter it around as you wish (there are good youtube videos on the proper technique) and leave it to cure with the layer.
The next day add your final layer on top of the glitter or flake to cure and seal the floor. You usually need to wait around 5-7 days before it is ready to be used (check with the manufacturer).
Then all that is left is for you to do is stand back, and marvel at your fresh, clean, and durable garage floor.
Tips for Maintaining Epoxy Flooring
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Epoxy is one of the most durable materials for flooring in the world. But even tough flooring like this needs a little bit of care and attention. Here are our top 5 tips for maintaining Epoxy garage flooring to keep it looking as good as new.
- Clean up spills ASAP
This first tip isn’t really about maintaining your flooring, it’s about maintaining your health. Unless you decided to mix sand in with your Epoxy when you were installing it – your floor is going to be super slippery when it is wet. Clean up all spills (regardless of how small they are) as soon as you notice them.
- It’s not indestructible
Despite how strong Epoxy is, it were not indestructible and repeated rubbing from hard (metal) objects can seriously damage the appearance of your floor. Any loose nuts or bolts that can roll around under your feet should be picked up immediately. Scratch marks are easily noticeable on a super smooth Epoxy floor.
- Weekly Mopping
We know 90% of you won’t do this, because who really wants to mop their garage every week. This is not an essential tip, and your Epoxy flooring will not structurally degrade if you don’t mop it. But if you want it to stay looking as good as new. Give it a little mop as often as possible. It will help the floor keep its beautiful shine for longer.
- Provide Padding
Epoxy is strong stuff, but you should protect it from small points of high pressure. This is mainly going to be things like motorcycle kickstands and car jacks. Get a mouse mat or a piece of plywood to protect the floor from cracking or denting under pressure.
- Don’t Use Acidic Cleaners
Some garage floor cleaners are designed to be super strong and abrasive to remove thick oil and chemical stains that can often appear. These cleaners are occasionally acidic. Your floor should be able to withstand accidental acidic spills without being damaged, but you should avoid intentionally cleaning it with acidic cleaner. It will remove the shine of the floor, and it becomes very slippery If the floor gets wet.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, probably the world’s most in-depth review of epoxy coating for garage floors. We feel that we have given a good sample of all the different options and price points you will have available to you in this article.
We highly recommend you go for a colored option if you don’t have a brand new concrete floor. The smallest imperfections will be with you until you move out if they are covered in epoxy. In the vast majority of cases where people do this, they wish they had gone for a pigmented option.
That being said, if you have a fresh and new concrete floor, then the glossy clear coat option can be a beautiful effect when done correctly. (Just remember that you need to let fresh concrete air out for over 60 days before you seal it with epoxy).
As you probably already know, we highly recommend you go wild with the floor of your garage. It’s the one place you can go crazy with the décor and still be happy with the result whatever happens. As such, we advise you to use metallic flakes liberally.