OT OT - anyone epoxied a concrete floor before?

Hoster05

Hi all,
I am getting ready to tackle another project which will be putting an expoy coating down on my garage floor.  The epoxy application I understand.  The part I cannot decide on is the prep.   From what I’ve read you can grind, shot blast or use muriatic acid.  My floor is smooth finished with an applied sealer. Some sites say acid won’t remove sealer, some say they will.  Any DIY experts out there...

FlyOverCountry

Is this so you can breakdance in your garage at night?

nolaegghead

If ammonia doesn't remove the sealer, your best bet would be to sand it or use a diamond polisher.

Muriatic acid is not very good removing organic sealers.  It is great for removing salts and scales and etching concrete. 

TXsmokin

Grinding is the best method.  It opens the pores in the concrete but doesn’t leave to much profile (texture) allowing for a smooth final finish.  Muratic acid won’t work properly if a sealer was previously applied.  It acts as a barrier and keeps the acid from working properly.  Shot blasting is only used with very thick coatings, not garage epoxies.  Hope this helps. 

milesvdustin

Do a moisture test. If you have moisture, the epoxy wont stay stuck. 

I want to do racedeck in my garage. Will never happen 

Eggcelsior

I was looking at some of the modular flooring options until I saw the prices. I too plan on an epoxy with grit surface after seeing a neighbor’s garage. I plan on a pressure wash after scrubbing the oil spots with oil eater, the rent a polisher if necessary. I’m less worried about aesthetics than a proper adhesion surface. In winter, any melting snow carried in makes getting in/out of cars “exciting”, so I may just bite the bullet for a Swiss track/Race deck/etc if nothing epoxy-wise is satisfactory.