DIY Garage Floor Epoxy Coating

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Our garage/workshop floor was NASTY! I have always wanted to do an epoxy floor coating in the garage but honestly, it seemed way to hard to pull off. I finally decided to make it happen and I am excited to say that it worked! I saved a TON of money doing it myself and we couldn't be happier with the result. We use this area multiple times a day and every time I step foot on it I am thankful I did it. At the end of it all, it only cost me about $800 compared to nearly the $4,000 it would have cost me to have it done. Below, I have a detailed YouTube video, all the steps I followed to complete the project and the links to everything I used. I am certain that you can do it!
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///// CONCRETE CLEANING & PREP LINKS
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///// TOOL LINKS

///// PHOTO, VIDEO & EDITING I USE

----STEPS!
STEP 1 Remove all the stuff on the floor and take low hanging items off the walls.
STEP 2 Pressure Wash the entire floor. Let dry.
STEP 3 Apply stain remover to tough spots or entire surface (I recommend entire surface). Then pressure wash.
STEP 4 Apply degreaser to tough pots or entire surface (again, I recommend entire surface). Then pressure wash.
STEP 5 Apply concrete etching to entire surface. Then pressure wash.
STEP 6 Let dry for 48 hours.
STEP 6.1 Use this time to apply quikrete, great stuff to fill gaps, caulk, and primer/paint to all areas of need.
STEP 6.2 Sand quikrete areas and finalize all paint touchups.
STEP 7 Mix the epoxy base and prepare to paint and spread decorative chips.
STEP 8 Paint the floor. (Have a buddy go behind and spread the decorative chips right away.) Allow to dry 24 hours.
STEP 9 Go across the entire floor with a brush or hand in a work glove to loosen any decorative chips that did not dry flat.
STEP 10 Blow out all the loose decorative chips. (There weren't many.)
STEP 11 Prep the clear coating mix by mixing in the non skid sand. (Highly recommend using some measure of it).
STEP 12 Paint the floor.  Allow to dry 24 hours.
STEP 13 ENJOY!

[zooo]

You can always identify a super nice guy by how he responds to critics. Great video and obviously a great guy.

[its-a-bountiful-life]

Glad I watched, as I am a 61 year old who thinks he's still 30. After watching, I think I am going to have a professional do it. It exhausted me just watching all your hard work. Good job, though.

[ericbillies]

This was a great DIY video, exceptionally helpful!!! Pretty much followed Andrew’s process (and incorporated some insightful comments - e.g., using 18” roller). Some other lessons learned:
1. New Rustoleum package has the dual pouches - makes it easier to mix together.
2. Epoxy is thick - roller was a little tricky and sometimes was splotchy, sometimes hard to get a consistent coat.
3. After the epoxy dried, had some dark spot discoloration in a few areas. Not sure why, not a major issue but only negative thing (note, it is not from the concrete).
4. Absolutely need 2 clear coat packages for a 2.5 car garage. It was was very hard to see where you may have missed (as he says) and missed a couple of areas after it dried. So I sucked it up and bought another one to complete the job.
Thank you again, Andrew!

[dehavinwatie]

Boss, I am getting ready to do my floor, n I wanted to compliment you on your video, you explained how to do this perfectly, GREAT and in great detail. Thank you again, n your wife was a great help.

[cowslinger]

Excellent, well thought out plan and execution. I've thought many times of doing this myself. I appreciate you sharing your experience. Thanks!

[mimiallen]

Hi, new subbie here!!!! Words cannot express how grateful I am for finding your channel!!! My husband and I recently purchased our home and our garage needed a touch up, badly! Well, with your step by step instructions WE DID IT!!! Our first DIY…EVER!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

[lds]

Thanks for the all the details, especially tools and items that you used for this project.

[KiaPresley]

Awesome. I was so intimidated by the process. But, you made this tangible for me. thank you and the wife for this.

[brockwrichards]

One of the greatest videos on the subject. Will mirror most people's experience. Thanks!!!

[brentowen]

Been cleaning my automotive shop's floors for year and honestly I think Dawn Soap, water, scrub broom, rinse and squeegee are the best floor cleaners.

[Smithb]

Looks great, good tips too. Here's my tip - use a 15 litre paint scuttle instead of roller trays (with disposable liners) 👍🏻

[TheBarnCarsandBicycles]

Great video. Well done. You did a great job showing all the important details and also what you might have done different if a next time. Thanks for taking the time to show us.

[spartanepoxies]

Hey man, pretty good job. For the etching process, the concrete should have been sprayed down first, and you should have used a watering can for the etch. I didn't catch the etch you used, but please make sure that you don't need to neutralize the concrete after etching as some of the muriatic acid etch products out there still require the acid to be neutralized with a baking soda / water wash down. For spalling, cracks, and imperfections you can use a 2 part - 100% epoxy filler. It's just going to adhere better is all. If you have expansion joints, consider using a fast-set polyurea. Spartan Epoxies offers a tubeset called JS100. For the flakes, I would do whats called a full flake broadcast. Essentially gives you an entire layer of paint chips for superior durability and drop protection. If you do a full flake broadcast, then 2 coats of urethane topcoat is needed. 1 coat for whats called the grout coat, and a final urethane topcoat as your finishing coat.

You should have used a 120 grit screen (drywall screen) to hit the flakes the day after application, and not gloves.

For the application, because you used a epoxy paint, and not a true epoxy, I suppose you may have had to apply that way. However, I would have poured the epoxy across the back wall, then used a flat squeegee to spread, then wore what's called gunite spikes. Which enable you to walk thru the wet epoxy. Then you can go on the floor and backroll using a high quality phenolic core roller cover, double weaved nap of course. Once you back roll you can broadcast your flakes, and since you have spikes you can walk around to broadcast them. We broadcast up in the air, typically using the term feeding the chickens as this is exactly what it looks like. This technique helps to ensure an even look. I think you did good for what you were doing there and thanks for helping the industry. It's important that people understand how important it is to apply a coating over their garage floor. These days you can apply all sorts of really awesome types of epoxy. Great job man. I hope this is received well and I promise I'm not trying to be negative. Just trying to help anyone here.

[EarlBalentine]

Nice job, it's one of those projects that you really feel good about when it's done.

[jamesg]

one of the best videos I have seen on this project. thx for posting!

[michaelromero]

Very nice!
Nice attention to detail (edges)! I’m waiting for it to warm up to do my patio

[carlosmontilla]

I am working on my garage and contemplating whether to apply epoxy. I appreciate your willingness to share your experience; it provides valuable assistance. Thank you.

[doloresturnwall]

Great video, very helpful. Feel like I can tackle it myself. Love your organized garage ….. nothing out of place.

[timc]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and process. I've had this product in the closet for 6 months and haven't brought myself to apply it yet. You gave some great tips & ideas. I know feel prepared to give it a try.

[davidcannon]

This is so much work and I applaud you/anyone who’s successfully completed this!! However, I am leaning toward patching/repairing the concrete cracks and buying a giant floor mat instead. I have two small boys and just don’t think I’ll have the uninterrupted time to do this right way and I don’t have the extra money to pay a professional.