GARAGE FLOOR PAINT
After years of use and abuse, garage floors can get pretty nasty. Most garage slabs only receive a minimum of sealer when originally poured. So years of storage and spills really take their toll. Plus the natural porosity and chalkiness of concrete makes it almost impossible to keep really clean.
Painting your garage floor will help prevent stains and deterioration, giving your garage floor a tough finish! It is one of the oldest and still very popular ways to brighten up the garage using a quick process with the least amount of fuss and a variety of colors to choose from.
Another added benefit of painting your garage floor is that it renders your concrete dustless (bare concrete produces a fine dust that can be tracked into your home or collected on your cars).
Latex Acrylic Paint
One of the benefits of latex acrylic paint it is mold and mildew resistant, water resistant, and easy to clean. It is moderately resistant to automobile fluids if it is cleaned up quickly. Anti-freeze and oil can stain the paint, while gasoline and brake fluid can cause it to wrinkle and peel away.
However, floor paint is not the most durable of options for your garage floor. It is susceptible to hot tire pick up and can chip. When applied properly it usually will need to be touched up or reapplied every one to two years. Nevertheless, if you are on a tight budget and want something other than bare concrete, then latex acrylic paint may be what you need.
Epoxi Paint
Like acrylic latex, 1-Part epoxy paint is mold and mildew resistant, water resistant, dustless, and easy to clean. It is more resistant than latex acrylic to automobile fluids including gasoline and brake fluid
The epoxy additive is more durable and creates a better bond to the concrete than latex acrylic being more resistant to chipping and heavy traffic. Properly installed epoxy paint can last up to two or three years. Marketed as paint (technically these are not paint), 2-Part epoxy have a lower percentage of solids content by volume compared to commercial epoxy.
They are easy to apply and provide a thin coat like paint does. You will get the most protection from 2-Part epoxy paint as compared to a 1-Part epoxy paint.
One thing to remember is that the most important part of applying any type of paint to concrete is the preparation of the surface. Concrete is very porous and can absorb oils, dirt, and other contaminants that will not allow paint to adhere properly. Hosing out the garage with a little soap and water will not work. No matter how clean the concrete may be, it will not adhere to a non-porous finish.
One other additional product that will help with the life of your paint would be a concrete primer coat. Applied first, it actually provides a better bonding agent for the paint to adhere to and reduces the chance of peeling and hot tire pick up.
Now that you know the benefits of painting your garage floor, take the time and decide which product would be best for you. You will definitely have a better looking floor, easier to clean and keep dirt and dust out of your home.