PSA: Your garage floor needs more than just a quick sweep before you paint it

I see so many people in this group showing off their painted floors, and the paint is already peeling at the edges after a few months. I made the same mistake in my own garage in Akron. I spent a whole weekend last spring putting down that epoxy kit, but I just swept and hosed the concrete. I didn't use the etching solution that came in the box because it looked like a hassle. Big mistake. By winter, salt from the tires made the coating bubble up near the door. The problem is that concrete has a thin layer of dust and sealant from the factory, and paint won't stick to it. You have to really clean it with that acid wash to open up the pores. How do you guys properly prep your floors to make sure the coating lasts?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_gray11d ago

What about just using a really good degreaser?

david_price5011d ago

Ever try to clean baked on grease with just a degreaser? That stuff works great for fresh spills, but if it's been cooked on for a while, you're just gonna smear it around. You really need something abrasive to cut through that layer first, like a paste or a scrub powder. Then hit it with the degreaser to get the last bit off and wipe it clean.