Workshop floor coating

[Tifa]

Advice required from the resident Yoda types here please....

I have a 3x5m shed/workshop with a concrete floor which I'd like to paint.
Fed up of the continual dust. I sprayed it with some PVA I had lying about, but that's staryed to flake off.
So have more or less settled for the epoxy 2 pack stuff?
However I have a few oil stains (nothing too bad) which I think will need degreasing beforehand?
Can anyone recommend a suitable degreaser/cleaner please?
Also, does anyone have any specific views on the make/type of paint?
Cheers!

 

[frank horton]

I just use Screwfix's own.....pretty cheap but works....do it twice to be sure....
I guess any 2pack will do but the floor need s to be rid of and loose stuff...
I'd be a bit worried about that PVA u've used.....
there may be some kind of primer before the paint to lock/seal up the dust....
the paint is to expensive to get it wrong....

 

[8ob]

Polycote. https://www.polycote.com/uk/degrease-it/

Bob

 

[John Hale]

If your really serious check out the Watco website

Industrial Strength Floor Repair, Paints & Coatings | Watco

Watco is a UK based manufacturer of high performance paint and repair for floors, steps and ramps. Free quotes, samples and expert advice for your project.

www.watco.co.uk

 

[Morrisman]

It’s not epoxy, but I used simple Wickes floor paint on my dusty workshop floor. I thinned the first coat down a lot, so it would really soak into the concrete pores, and put two coats on.

It made such a difference, no dust, and far easier to sweep up. It can still be scratched by dragging heavy metal across it but easy and simple to repair, and no poisonous fumes.

 

[Agroshield]

Look for a fairly recent thread (in the tea room, I think) by KimB as she asked the very same question.

Non-biological washing powder mixed into a thick paste and scrubbed over the oily area and then rinsed with boiling water will remove oil from block paving, so should work on concrete.

Most of the epoxies these days are water-based so no fumes. Most of the traditional floor paints are solvent-based so will make you high. Some people have dermatological sensitivity to epoxy, so gloves are wise.

 

[123hotchef]

I was thinking about painting the floor in my new shed but was disuaded by the folk on here

 

[Tifa]

Thanks blokes....bit to be getting on with.

 

[Arc Tourist]

With all the different products available, it boggles the mind trying to make a choice; so I just took a punt and purchased this product yesterday for my new garage build.

" Multicrete " Concrete Hardener & Dustproof Sealer for Concrete Floors.
25 Litres for just under £25.oo with free delivery. Seller has 100% positive feedback.
Ebay item No. 250987186961

 

[123hotchef]

how does it harden concrete?

 

[Greeves246]

Recently had flagged drives dug up and replaced with imprinted concrete. They seal the colour in with a resin lacquer that is hard enough to resist normal wear for a couple of years. Small areas showed lack of adhesion due to damp but after a few days they brushed xylene thinners on that dissolved it and it dried with no problem.
Seems to me if it is good enough for outside driveway use it should be fine indoors. Lots on eBay under concrete drive sealer.

 

[Arc Tourist]

how dose it harden concrete?

Doesn't make any sense to me either. All I'm interested in is a sealer coating for the new floor.

 

[Tifa]

Well....finally getting it sorted.
About 5ltrs of etch primer to neutralise the alkaline concrete, then 2 coats of epoxy mix. Done the first coat, need to leave 20 hours before finishing coat.
About half way through, I thought to myself...this is a bit f**king overkill...
Could have painted the entire house the time it’s taken.

 

[Agroshield]

how does it harden concrete?

It is highly likely to be sodium silicate solution (also known as water glass). Download the MSDS and investigate. As the cement is a mixture of calceous and aluminous silicates, there is a complex chemical reaction that seals the pores of the concrete and reduces the dust. It is much better to apply it as a curing agent, once the fresh concrete has gelled enough for the liquid not to harm it, but even a long time after it is laid has benefits.

You can look up the price of bulk sodium silicate and compare to the price of the one above. The difficulty with buying these products is you never know the dilution rate used by the supplier, but at least 20 of the 25 litres will be water (c.f. Mr Muscle oven cleaner - look up bulk sodium hydroxide).

 

[Arc Tourist]

....................................................The difficulty with buying these products is you never know the dilution rate used by the supplier, but at least 20 of the 25 litres will be water (c.f. Mr Muscle oven cleaner - look up bulk sodium hydroxide).

I noticed the Multicrete solution was watery on application, and I couldn't detect any odour. The first coat used about 6 litres to cover the floor area of my 30 sq. mtr. garage, less on the second coat, and even less on the third coat; so appear s to be sealing and I'm happy with that. I'll have a look on the label to see what percentages are stated on the product.

 

[Agroshield]

The first coat used about 6 litres to cover the floor area of my 30 sq. mtr. garage, less on the second coat, and even less on the third coat;

Yes, that's good. It is soaking in and reducing the porosity. They are most unlikely to state the dilution: that is where the trade secret/competitive advantage comes in. You either sell at a high price that reflects the dilution or dilute until the lower price means the product sells.

 

[Arc Tourist]

Yes, that's good. It is soaking in and reducing the porosity. They are most unlikely to state the dilution: that is where the trade secret/competitive advantage comes in. You either sell at a high price that reflects the dilution or dilute until the lower price means the product sells.

Yeah, all the label states is Alkaline Product; with no mention of type or percentages.

 

[Dilkris]

Advice required from the resident Yoda types here please....

I have a 3x5m shed/workshop with a concrete floor which I'd like to paint.
Fed up of the continual dust. I sprayed it with some PVA I had lying about, but that's staryed to flake off.

This is interesting - sorry I have only just read the thread...

I use PVA diluted at about 20.1 - (I don't measure it - just guess) - I pour it on the garage floor (concrete) and spread it around with a sweeping brush working it into the concrete and leave overnight. It never peals off, seals the concrete from generating that "concrete surface dust" and "yes" it does wear away - I do it once a year, but its cheap - and quick.