My whole life I’ve wanted my own garage… my own ‘Man Cave’ that I can use to do the real work of engine modding and grease monkeying. Once I finally got one, it took years for me to work up the courage, funding, and sheer will to mold my once dingy and dusty garage into my man cave paradise. One of the questions I was asking myself was if it was worth it to spend the extra money on an expensive garage floor coating, or if something from a big box store would be ‘good enough.’ I decided to spend the dough and do it right (or so I thought). Check out my review of Armorpoxy below to find out if I made the right choice.
The Epoxy Choice: Armorpoxy
By now you know that the garage floor product I chose is Armorpoxy (find it here: https://amzn.to/3LQIRWR). There were several options, but it seemed to have some of the best customer service, came in the color I wanted, and is 100% solids. It’s a true 100% solids epoxy coating, and yes, it wasn’t cheap. But was it worth the cost? Let’s find out.
Options and Considerations
When it comes to garage floors, you have a bunch of options. You could leave the concrete as-is, especially if you’re in a commercial setting or dealing with heavy traffic. However, for a residential garage, where aesthetics and durability matter, a coating might be worth considering. Here’s a quick rundown of your options:
- Floor Paint: Cheap and easy but doesn’t last long. It peels and shows wear after a few years.
- Epoxy: Comes in various grades. The budget options are better than paint but may not last long under heavy use.
- High-End Epoxy or Polyurea: More durable and resistant to chemicals but costs more.
I chose a higher end epoxy because I wanted something tough and long-lasting, especially since I’ll be working on engines and dealing with chemicals in the garage. I’ve used big box store garage floor coatings in the past and, while they look nice for a bit, they don’t tend to last long in a garage that gets any real work… including driving in and out with a car or truck. My goal for this was to be ‘one and done’. Spend the money up front, do the hard work, and then enjoy it for basically forever.
Prep Work
Prep is critical. My floor had old paint, so I had to strip it off. I rented a floor buffer with a diamond brush to remove the paint, which was a dusty, messy job. A cloud of dust pretty much coated my entire neighborhood, and I had dust in every single pore of my body. Make sure you wear proper protection, including a mask and ear protection.
Next, I filled cracks with PC Concrete (found here: https://amzn.to/3ygFupc), which is claimed to be stronger than concrete itself. For any low spots or divots, I used the same product to level them out. 4 years later the cracks in my garage floor still haven’t resurfaced, but there were a couple of places in front of the garage, exposed to the elements, were PC Concrete separated from the floor and fell out of the cracks. So, if you’re going to use it and then cover it with another product I think it will last a long time. If you’re planning on keeping it uncovered out in the elements I might look elsewhere.
Application Process
Day 1: Primer
- Applied the primer. It went on faster than I expected but was tough to handle due to the fumes. Proper ventilation is crucial. I learned this the hard way by ending up feeling quite unwell from the fumes. Always use a respirator. This was basically just like rolling on a thick paint.
Day 2: Epoxy and Flakes
- Applied the epoxy and flakes with the help of my father-in-law. The epoxy application was straightforward, but throwing the flakes was tricky. My spiky shoes kept slipping, which made the process more challenging. The epoxy was tacky for a while, and I had to wait before applying the top coat. When applying, do so in sections. I was fortunate to have my father-in-law’s help so he could mix the batches of the two-part epoxy while I used a squeegee to lay it down.
Final Touches: Top Coat
- Applied the top coat, which was clear and hard to manage since you can’t see where you’ve applied it. This led to some unevenness and beading in places, which I suspect was due to a mix of technique and product issues. It may have also had something to do with not allowing the coat to dry before applying it. In any case, pay close attention to where you’ve been and make a plan before you start, even if you need to section things off.
Final Thoughts
So, was it worth it? Absolutely. Here’s why:
- Durability: It’s incredibly tough. I’ve dropped heavy items and spilled chemicals with no damage to the floor.
- Aesthetics: It looks great. Friends and family have been impressed with the results.
- Value: Despite some issues with shipping and packaging, I believe the end result justifies the investment.
The Bad
- Shipping and Packaging: The product arrived in beat-up cans, and I didn’t get the mixing buckets that were advertised.
- Top Coat Application: The clear coat was challenging to apply and led to some beading and unevenness. This might be partly my fault, but it’s worth noting for future DIYers.
Takeaways
- Prepare Thoroughly: Proper prep work is key. Make sure your floor is clean and well-prepped.
- Ventilate: The fumes from the products are no joke. Use proper ventilation and protective gear.
- Practice: If you’re using a top coat, practice your technique to avoid issues with uneven application.
- Also practice throwing the flakes. I have one big pile in the middle of my floor that’s obvious if you look. Once the flakes are down they are down, and trying to spread them out with the squeegee or other method is pretty futile.
So there you have it. If you’re up for the challenge and want a durable, high-quality floor, a premium epoxy coating like Armorpoxy is worth it. It’s not without its challenges, but the results speak for themselves. 4 years later and it looks as good as the day I put it on. We’ve done several garage sales in the garage and I always get a load of folks who compliment me on the floor. I even had one person who does it professionally ask me, half-jokingly, if I wanted a job.
If you want a more detailed Armorpoxy review or overview then watch my video on YouTube below.
If you want more information on my Garage, check it out: My Dream Garage
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