How to Paint Your Garage Floor
Sand the floor and vacuum. Is it smooth as velvet? If no then:
Muriatic acid treatment needed
(this is dangerous - keep doors open and a fan running, wear full face
coverage- keep the hose running to rinse any spill) - in the pool supply area of
a hardware store. In an OLD acid proof 5-gallon bucket fill 1/3 up - about 2
gallons water. Add about a cup of the acid into the water not the other way -VERY very slowly add acid into the sitting bucket of water. Mop the floor with
a spaghetti mop that you throw away the fabric mop after. Any old mop will do, as you will toss it. Allow drying
With a
new mop head, mop the floor with only clean water. Allow drying.
Throw away the
bucket.
Next day- In an old bucket 1 part ammonia to 16 part water. That's shy of an eight ounce bottle of ammonia ( you can measure with water bottle and throw it away after to one gallon of water.)
I part ammonia
to 16 parts water in an old bucket. Mop again. This neutralizes the acid.
All the
white powdery material is gone (efflorescence). Now fill the cracks and sand again.
Primer with
a roller.
Allow to dry
overnight
Epoxy paint
needs to dry minimum 2 days – if humid maybe 4 before you walk on it or drive
Masonry
Sealer
Buy the best
quality Epoxy.
If you like
the sprinkles or sparkles or crafty flecks go ahead, they help hide
imperfections
Should last
10- 15 years depending on humidity
Tools
needed:
Pole sander, borrow one
Lots of 80
grit sandpaper (10 sheets don't open extra pack in case you can return it
Gallon of
muriatic acid – when finished, give to neighbor who has a pool don’t dump it
Cup of ammonia
Hose and
running water
Old spaghetti
mop
Second mop
head spaghetti for rinsing and ammonia wash
3 Rollers
and – microfiber ones with 5/16 inch spongy thickness
Long paint
roller stick
Roll paper
towels
Baking soda
for emergency to neutralize the acid
Full face
covering
Acid protecting
gloves
Goggles
A box fan
BUY the BEST EPOXY you can, yes I said this twice.
Primer and Sealant can be middle grade
Ask the paint guy what he suggests
Open garage
door while working, close at night so you don’t get paw prints
Might need a
sign or ribbon to keep out your family
This is a 3
day minimum project. The work is very easy. The hard part is being careful to
protect your skin
and lungs and park your cars on the street 4 days.
Keep the hose running and a bucket of water for rinsing if you get
the acid on skin or something
total cost estimate: $180 depending on paint-
