[campy]

What is your recommendation for a garage floor, stain or epoxy and why?

[jimbo2012]

Before you (or have a contractor) do either test yourself for moisture.

Remember that concrete is porous. Tape a 12" square of plastic sheeting to the floor, sealed on all sides, and leave it there for 24 hours. If there is moisture on the back of the plastic when you take it up then any sort of coating is out of the question - it will fail.

You might want to do it in several places, and if time allows at different times of year.

This is especially true in new construction.

I can't tell you why, but my preference is epoxy in the garage, outside stain can be very nice. Do a search on Utube to see all about staining concrete.

[OscarOlden]

Epoxy.

[Sunshine Mary]

Who installs epoxy ?

[jimbo2012]

Not really an install exactly, buy the paint (home depot) and roll it out a floor is about as easy as it gets for DIY.

Here's a video

cost about $140 for two kits and supplies

But you can hire a painter.

[Sunshine Mary]

Thanks jumbo for the video
Looks easy to do
Did you do your foor or did you get a painter?

[jimbo2012]

Yes I did mine in several homes, but then again I never hire out. I'm one of those die hard do it your self guys.

It will take about 90 minutes to do

[philnpat]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Yes I did mine in several homes, but then again I never hire out. I'm one of those die hard do it your self guys.

It will take about 90 minutes to do

90 minutes to apply...but...with the prep work such as degreasing, power washing and taping more like 3-4 hours over 2 or 3 days?

[l2ridehd]

I think it depends on the current condition of the floor. If it is in excellent condition then either will work really well and it just depends on the look you want. With epoxy you can fill the cracks, chips, nicks, and dents with an epoxy mix, sand them flush and then do the epoxy paint. So if you are trying to make a well used and slightly abused floor restored to look new, epoxy is much better.

[jimbo2012]

No Campy is building new, so prep is based by pouring a small amount of water onto the concrete floor. If the surface soaks up the water somewhat like a blotter, it is porous enough for coating. This is what I expect on new concrete, but if water does not absorb into the concrete, it needs to be etched & washed down with a surface prep solution, it just gets brushed in with broom set for 10 minutes and rinse well. Follow labels some are different.

If this step is needed add another hour or so, let dry overnight be sure it's dry the next day.

On difficulty scale of 1-10 it's a 2