What do you use to clean you garage floors?

[sneek]

What do you use to clean you garage floors?
i am going to paint my garage floor with the Epoxy shield but i need to clean it first. So i was wondering what people from MOL use

[Mort Corey]

Well, I use a broom and sometimes a hose I've done a small bit of investigating on the epoxy floor finishing and I think the surface prep (like most anything else) is 90% of getting a proper bond. The pre cleaners I've read about sound as if they almost (or do) etch the concrete slab, so it's pretty caustic. It also sounds like the entire job needs EXTREME ventilation....more than just the garage door open and the fumes are quite flamible as well.

Mort (who thinks he'll hire someone when the time comes)

[Pete-FWA]

When I clean a dirty concrete floor, I use my pressure washer.

If I have grease stains, I'll treat with some sort of engine degreaser or concrete cleaner (I buy it from a local chem manufacturer) before I blast it.

For your epoxy coating, read the directions on whatever product you're considering. Usually they have a required etching product, as Mort mentioned. This is used after you get all the particulate mess and grease stains removed.

[gb387]

In my case I use Greased Lightning and a broom to scrub, works very well. But as others have said you may have to etch the concrete, my father used an epoxy on his garage floor several years ago and surface prep is the key! He etched(I think it was muriatic acid) the floor and had had no problem even with harsh Minnesota winters and road salt. The epoxy will scratch so be careful when you drag things over the painted surface.

[electricgreen]

FYI, a leaf blower will help the drying process....

[Paramedic]

Re: What do you use to clean you garage floors?

Originally posted by sneek
What do you use to clean you garage floors?
i am going to paint my garage floor with the Epoxy shield but i need to clean it first. So i was wondering what people from MOL use

I did my garage last spring and I used muriatic acid to etch the surface before I put down the 2 part epoxy. I also did the blocks under the drywall on the sides. A roller works great on it. Make sure you have good ventilation or you will get high as a kite! When you are all done, it will look great!

[Tim Lingor]

Hey Sneek,

I can not help you with the coating, but for the cleaning I use my pressure washer and a water broom (an attatchment for the pressure washer with 3 nozzles and wheels).

I have often thought about coating my floor...let us know how it turns out!

Tim

[iceburgh]

I use Hyper wash hot water and a broom

[sneek]

Thanks a lot guys
i think i will pressure wash floor first then i will look into the acid but the rustoleum site says that you don't need muriatic acid

as for the ventalation i think i will rent a industrial fan and work in 4X4 sections

[MandarinaRacing]

Originally posted by gb387
....He etched(I think it was muriatic acid)....

That was gonna be my suggestion...
Let's us know how it turns out, there seem to be all sorts of options and prices on those epoxy coatings....

later,

Alex

[sneek]

hmm i am not sure what to do but i think i trust MOL more lol

instructions for cleaning :
Preparation Instructions
Preparation is critical to performance.
Remove any oil or grease spots on your floor. Use a scrub brush and a
cleaner/degreaser or use a solvent such as mineral spirits. Scrub the spot
thoroughly and wipe up excess cleaner with rags or paper towels to keep
contaminants from spreading. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Repeat as
necessary to completely clean.
Mix all concentrated cleaner with 2 gallons of water. Mix until dissolved. This
cleaning solution contains a mild citric acid. Note: Do not use muriatic acid.
For best results, use a plastic watering can to evenly distribute solution.
Pre-wet the floor using a hose. Remove pooled water with a squeegee or broom
to avoid leaving puddles. Spread the cleaner mixture over a 10' x 10' section of
the floor. Scrub vigorously with a stiff bristle brush to loosen dust and dirt. While
working, keep the entire section wet until the entire section has been cleaned and
rinsed.
Rinse each section thoroughly before starting the next section. For best
results, use a foam squeegee to remove the rinse water from the surface and
to move dirt and contaminants out of the garage. Repeat twice before
continuing to the next section. Once all sections are completed, rinse and
squeegee the entire garage floor to remove any cleaner that has been tracked
on previously cleaned areas. A wet/dry vacuum can also be used to eliminate
excess water, dirt and contaminants. Do not leave pooled water on the floor.
The cleaner will not discolor driveways or harm grass or plants if rinsed
thoroughly.
Allow the floor to dry completely. Wipe your fingers over the clean, dry floor.
If you see any dust or powder on your fingers, repeat the rinsing and
scrubbing until the floor is clean. If your fingers remain clean, continue to the
next step.
Note: If the floor is not thoroughly cleaned and completely rinsed, the
coating may not adhere properly to the surface.

EDIT: leaning twards getting some HCl another person online that did it said that they had to use simple green to clean the floor first so i don't know what to do but i may have found a use for simple green lol

i think i will wait till summer before i even think about it again

[gb387]

Sneek, maybe I missed it but what brand of epoxy you are using? is it solvent based?

Edit: I found it, Epoxy Shield by is it the Garage Floor Coating by Rustoleum? I have read the instructions on their Garage Floor Coating and I am not sure why they don't want you to etch the concrete. Maybe call them and ask?

I know its an epoxy but I don't think its the "nasty" stuff most of us think of, their Garage Floor Coating is water based a little more user friendly and safer but may not get the wear a solvent based epoxy will.

Let us know what you do! Good luck!

[sneek]

It is the Epoxy Shield by is it the Garage Floor Coating by Rustoleum

Initially i was leaning twards getting the black and white garage tiles but this is less than 1/5th of the cost the cool tiles area about $3.75 per sqft and this is about $2.50 per sqft and my garage is about 480sqft so i think the epoxy shield is the way to go

and plus i will only be living wit my parents until i am 19/20 ish (17 now)

[sneek]

i asked about the acid and this is the responce i got
"Good afternoon Pat


Thank-you for contacting Rust-Oleum Consumer Brands Canada.
You shouldn't have to use Muriatic acid if your concrete if it is not sealed, you need a good quality degreaser to take all the grease off and after wash the floor with the Citric acid provided in the Epoxy Shield kit.
If you etch the floor, it will weaken the surface of your concrete and you will need a thicker coat of Epoxy Shield, meaning more product that would normally used.
The Power wash is a good idea to remove/rinse the citric acid once your floor has been thoroughly washed.
A kit would cover 250 SF with a non porous concrete. A good thick coat should be enough, however it is possible to add another coat.
You do not need to sand if you can recoat within 24 hours (make sure your first coat is dry enough). After 24 hours you would need to sand lightly with 60 grits sandpaper.
To apply this product we recommend a minimum Temp. of 15 degrees Celsius the day before, the nigh before and the 24 hours after your application.

If you have any other questions please contact us at 1-800-387-9879.

Regards,
Rust-Oleum Canada Technical Support"

[Godiva]

Clean?

It's a garage.

It's concrete.

Aside from the occasional broom for sweeping or hose for spraying, the garage floor is au natural.