Shop concrete epoxy seal?

[SnackPack]

Hey all, wondering if anyone as been down this road with their workshop. I'm doing a remodel on a new-to-me ~1000 sqft shop, and before I haul in more tools and stuff, I'm considering an epoxy seal, most likely professionally done, as there is some prep work to do on the used floor.

I'm mostly considering it for two reasons: 1) easy fluid cleanup with a mop so I don't use kitty litter anymore. 2) dusty environment where there always seems like there's first and dust in the pores.

I understand there is a modern method where there is an epoxy base coat, optional flake layer and then some sort of poly-somethingorother layer on top that doesn't yellow.

How does it hold up, and is it worth the trouble?

 

[shady]

Slippery when wet, and if you have bright lights it'll glare you for a while.
Beyond that, haven't seen many drawbacks.

No idea how it holds up to floor jacks, jack stands, etc.
We have it at work, not my shop.

 

[nvrenuf]

Very slippery, even just from condensation due to weather temp change.

I worked in a dealership parts dept for 15 years and the coated floor (w/ grit!) in the new shop was like ice compared to the bare floor in the old building. I chose not to coat the floor when I built a hobby shop at my house.

 

[gweber71]

Agree, it is slippery when wet. Also, water will lay on top of it and does not soak into the concrete anymore. I use a squeegee broom to push the water out of the garage. I did it in my home garage 20 years ago. It is easy to clean up and maintain. I used the brand uCoat IT. They swore it would not lift under hot tires. but it did somewhat. It holds up pretty well to Jack Stands and Floor jacks.

 

[HankScorpio]

Depends on the original concrete finish. My shop has epoxy from Sherwin Williams. It came with an etching product for prep. Mine isn't slippery at all. Concrete is smooth but was not power troweled, just hand finished. Thick epoxy coat with the sprinkles. It's been very durable. DIY friendly. Floor jack or jack stands don't affect it at all. It has even stood up to minor travel from snowmobile carbides, dragging them into corners for storage.

My parents have epoxy from a big box store, probably rust oleum. Its not very good. Scratches and sticks to tires.

 

[SnackPack]

I'm getting quotes for it to be done, with footers coated as well. Mostly because I'll need them to do the prep and fix up some parts of the concrete first.

Thanks for the input, I'll ask about a textured finish and keep you all updated.

 

[CyberSniper]

I looked into it. I've used several products on my basement floor because of water. My basement also has a basement garage I usually use as a woodshop. I haven't found anything that I can do myself that is durable. There is this stuff, I can't remember the name of it, that chemically reacts with the concrete's salts so it will keep the epoxy from lifting whether from water, salt pressure, or hot tires. This stuff is worth doing as it stopped all my lifting problems regardless of the product I used on top.

My detached garage is from 1996. It was lightly power troweled. It has/had a fine surface like 180 grit sandpaper. The floor drains are strategically the highest points in my garage. The garage floor is mostly now a smooth rust color. I used to dream of getting it epoxied, but between my cousin and I (he has worked at many auto shops, my employer has the most property taxes in the state and epoxies most floors) I have never seen anything that holds up long term.

I use a large drip pan to collect fluids when working in the garage.

When laying on the floor to do stuff, I do so on a piece of 11mm corrugated plastic (the stuff used for temporary signage).