Epoxy Floor Paint (Garage or Hangar)

f1rocket · #1 10-12-2007, 11:10 AM

New house and hangar are just about done and it's time to explore options for the floor of the hangar. I want paint the floor with some high quality two-part epoxy paint designed for hangar floors. I already know that the cheap stuff at Home Depot, etc. are not worthy. What brands have others used with success? Where did you get it (web site)? How much did it cost?

I'd really like to hear your experiences. Thanks.

RScott · #2 10-12-2007, 11:31 AM

I can't give you any recommendations, but I can give one caution. They painted the hangar & shop floors at the Air Guard, looked great, but slicker than a wet fish when wet or when walking onto them with wet shoes.

I would look at other options.

dmaib · #3 10-12-2007, 11:34 AM

I have been through some very high dollar hangar floor projects at work, and if I was starting with a new, clean hangar floor, I would take a good look at concrete staining processes. I have seen a large corporate jet hangar with stained concrete and it is really nice. It does not look as nice and showroom shiny as a fresh epoxy, but is pretty durable and nice looking. I have not studied the issue enough to know if you have to put a sealer over it or not, but I would sure look into it.

dmaib · #4 10-12-2007, 11:36 AM

Ditto on RScott's comments concerning slippery epoxy floors.

flytoboat · #5 10-12-2007, 12:34 PM

...got many responses. I just put "Durabak" bed liner on the top deck of my houseboat (260 square feet) and although a little pricey ($120.00/gal) I like the results. It covered well (one gallon for two coats per 60 square feet) with the provided rollers, provides UV protection, non-skid, sealant suitable for outdoor use in many colors. Of course time will tell.
http://www.durabakcompany.com/

Vern · #6 10-12-2007, 12:45 PM

Floor painters have a very fine sand-like powder they mix in the paint that can give the floor some grip. My hanger floor was pressure washed, acid etched, rinsed, and given two coats of epoxy applied with lamb's wool rollers. It is not a perfect job but sure is nicer than concrete. Oily messes just wipe up and the reflected lighting is better. However, when I have on my leather-bottom shoes or damp running shoes, it is all I can do to pull RVs in and out.

One option advertised in TAP is polishing the floor with a portable machine that seems like a rolling bead-blaster. Large warehouses and plants often use that process to eliminate ever having to redo epoxy.

I just had about 10,000 square feet done in my workplace with two coats of epoxy plus sealer and already the high traffic areas are showing wear. I will have the areas power-sanded and a new top coat of epoxy applied. We used the anti-skid material I mentioned.

C-GRVT · #7 10-12-2007, 01:33 PM

I have been looking into this recently for a new garage floor (concrete). I think the best solution is to polish the concrete, stain and seal it. See for example http://www.marblerestoration.org/concrete.htm.
Also have a look at the Forum subject "Most Beautiful Hanger - Hands Down", which looks like it has a polished floor.
I like the idea of polishing rather than putting on a coating.
I say all this without having actually done it yet - so, take it as an idea for consideration.

Bill
Ottawa, Canada
RV-6 under construction on a new but still unfinished concrete floor

Jetcowboy · #8 10-12-2007, 01:48 PM

I did my 3000 sq. ft. hangar with http://www.ucoatit.com/.

All white, makes finding those dropped parts and screws easy. I used the aluminum oxide to roughen the surface on part of the floor, but it makes cleaning a little harder. I like the slick surface. I have no problem when wet if wearing my sneakers.

White also brightens the room and allows you to see the bottom of your airplane in the reflection. ;-)

The web site has a color selection page and cost estimator.

jus10stephens · #9 10-12-2007, 03:12 PM

I used the small kit to do my 500 sq ft shop at home and so far it has been great. Oil wipes up easily but sharp metal can scratch and scrape it. It was $320.00 shipped to my door. The hardest part is all of the cleaning and prep work. Be sure if you do this to read and understand the directions completely before you do anthing. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Would I enjoy it? No.

nippaero · #10 10-18-2007, 02:38 PM

One of the things I like to do is browse builders web sites a look at the way they have their shops set up. It's almost as fun looking at the shops and tools as it is building. I decided to epoxy my floor a couple weeks ago and documented it if anyone else was considering doing this to their garage/shop.

http://www.nippaero.com/garage_floor.php