How to epoxy your garage floor – the right way!

Are you tired of looking at stains and tire marks on your garage floor? There is a solution! You can epoxy your garage floor – for a very reasonable price! While some homeowners hire a contractor to do this for them, spending on average $800 – $2000, if you are on a budget, you can do this for less than $200 (for a typical 2 car garage). All you need is some time and, well, $200 (or less!).

Many home improvement stores sell some type of garage paint or epoxy. However, epoxy is stronger than paint, as it is typically a two part mix of epoxy resin and hardener, allowing for more durability. Home improvement stores typically sell kits that include the epoxy mixture and concrete cleaning product, such as the “Rustoleum Epoxy Shield*.” Usually, a few colors are available. The average cost is between $115 – $140.  Don’t forget to add in paint rollers, rags, paint trays and a paint brush.

The most important step is prep work. Once your garage is emptied out, leaving the entire floor exposed, be sure to do a good sweeping and vacuum out any dust/debris/grass clippings from between the concrete grooves, otherwise known as contraction joints.

The next step is crucial and a few hours should be allowed to complete this. The concrete prep work. The garage concrete floor has to be cleaned and etched. Etching involves creating a “rough” surface for the epoxy to adhere to. Though most kits include a cleaning and etching product, typically citric acid, having an additional cleaning and etching citric acid product will go a long way. You will find that right next to the epoxy kits in your home improvement store. If you have oil stains, be sure to buy a de-greaser and apply that first to remove as much of it as possible. Once you use the epoxy kit provided cleaner / etching product, you may choose to use the second cleaning / etching product, depending on how your concrete looks. The goal is to have clean concrete that has a slightly coarse feel to it.

Effectively rinse the garage floor to remove the product once done. Allow the concrete to dry thoroughly. Then you can begin taping walls and giving the garage one final sweep and applying the epoxy product. Of course, follow the products user guide and safety instructions as to ideal weather conditions, humidity and length of time until fully cured.

You will be surprised how much of a difference a new floor coating can make and you will be proud of doing it yourself and adding value to your home!

Contributed by Nicklin Property Management.

**Nicklin Property Management does not promote any one brand of epoxy product. It is up to each homeowner to determine which product will fit their needs.  Always be safety conscious and follow directions as listed in product manual.**