Garage Floor Paint - Recommendations

[Emira]

Hi

I am about to paint the floor of my garage - it’s a new build with a concrete floor.

I’ll be storing and working on my car in the garage.

Does anyone have any recommendations about floor paints to use? I’m curious as to whether I should consider a rubberised paint.

Thanks

[uk66fastback]

When you say concrete - more than than likely if it's in your garage at home, it'll be a screed. This will 'dust' if not sealed and painted - so you're doing the right thing. I would use a two-part epoxy paint from ebay or similar. Lots of colours available. Apply on a warm day with a roller having cut in or masked the edges. Two coats will suffice. Job done!

[Emira]

Hi

Good idea - thanks.

Any thoughts on rubberised paints or specific brands that are durable?

Thanks

Peter

[Bestle]

Have you looked into the plastic tiles option? I tried paint/epoxy in the past but it always wore off and scratches whereas with tiles you can just click a damaged one out and the floor looks brand new again.

[Gad-Westy]

I’ve not tried paint myself but read so many accounts of it peeling even on a well prepped floor. Maybe 2 pack is better but I went straight to the plastic tile option. A single garage can be tiled in a couple of hours. Very durable, easy to clean and hide imperfections. I doubt I’d consider doing anything else now.

[Krikkit]

I did 2-pack paint, thoroughly cleaned, prepped and sealed the floor per instructions, paint was done exactly as directed between coats etc. Peeled off immediately the first time it saw a set of cold tyres.

If you can spend on it, I'd put down ceramic tiles - Dotti make a range of non-slip textured tiles.

Failing that, a quick coat of paint and the plastic ones.

[matt21]

Also interested in this. What tiles would you folks recommend?

[CoolHands]

But how does every garage in the land, and big places like IKEA etc manage to paint their concrete floor with no problem?

[Emira]

Yes - I always thought tiles were monstrously more expensive than paint.

Good to generate ideas though - I’m just trying to gather information to make a good decision - so the more details of experiences the better.

Thanks

Peter

[Nomme de Plum]

I put a thin screed on my garage floor, which in any case had a DPM underneath it and 300mm of insulation (designed by me).

The issue is often the damp rising from below if there is no damp membrane.

There are rubberised finishes which maybe worth a look.

[SFTWend]

I had a new build and just sealed it to stop the dust. Not pretty but cheap and effective.

If you don't mind spending some money then rubber tiles or a quality two part epoxy.

Just don't bother with garage floor paint. Will lift the first time warm tyres roll over it.

[Krikkit]

CoolHands said:

But how does every garage in the land, and big places like IKEA etc manage to paint their concrete floor with no problem?

I assume that the epoxy used by the professional firms isn't available to Joe public, but I honestly don't know.

I'd love the really thick, glossy epoxy on a garage floor but the cost of having it done is rather sizeable

[Baldchap]

I had a professionally applied resin done in our garage and also in my workshop. They applied about four layers, plus a final coloured layer. When I fitted my lift and drilled through it it was surprisingly thick.

You can jack multiple tonnes on it and it doesn't mark at all.

Worth every penny over a painted floor.

[AndrewGP]

Krikkit said:

I did 2-pack paint, thoroughly cleaned, prepped and sealed the floor per instructions, paint was done exactly as directed between coats etc. Peeled off immediately the first time it saw a set of cold tyres.

If you can spend on it, I'd put down ceramic tiles - Dotti make a range of non-slip textured tiles.

Failing that, a quick coat of paint and the plastic ones.

You mean porcelain tiles, not ceramic. Ceramic tiles won't withstand jacks, axle stands and dropped tools whereas porcelain ones will.

As mentioned previously, even 2 pack epoxy paints will lift, I've tried every combination of paints over the last 20 years or so. I got so fed up with it peeling off, it's now tiled with Dotti porcelain tiles. Still looks like new despite everything I've thrown at it!

[Veryoldbear]

Has anybody used matting like this ... https://www.wickes.co.uk/AP-Black-Interlocking-Foa...

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AndrewGP said:

You mean porcelain tiles, not ceramic. Ceramic tiles won't withstand jacks, axle stands and dropped tools whereas porcelain ones will.

As mentioned previously, even 2 pack epoxy paints will lift, I've tried every combination of paints over the last 20 years or so. I got so fed up with it peeling off, it's now tiled with Dotti porcelain tiles. Still looks like new despite everything I've thrown at it!

There's people who have cleanliness and OCD issues.

You sir, are the king of them both.

What an incredible garage and car, that's inspirational.

Going to have to go with the Dotti tiles

[Krikkit]

AndrewGP said:

You mean porcelain tiles, not ceramic. Ceramic tiles won't withstand jacks, axle stands and dropped tools whereas porcelain ones will.

Sorry, of course I do!

AndrewGP said:

...it's now tiled with Dotti porcelain tiles. Still looks like new despite everything I've thrown at it!

Living the dream! 10/10 :thumb:

[Nomme de Plum]

I put a thin screed on my garage floor, which in any case had a DPM underneath it and 300mm of insulation (designed by me).

The issue is often the damp rising from below if there is no damp membrane.

There are rubberised finishes which maybe worth a look.

[uk66fastback]

Veryoldbear said:

Has anybody used matting like this ... https://www.wickes.co.uk/AP-Black-Interlocking-Foa...

They’re okay for kneeling on when working on the car but they’re too soft to be the main floor for me, they’re just foam - and four wheels in the same position all day ain’t gonna do anything for them, but they’re cheap and cheerful …

[M11rph]

I went with the plastic interlocking floor tiles. Easy to lay and cost was £1000 for a 6x6m garage.

Very happy with them. I bought mine from here...
https://www.garagetileshop.co.uk/product/textured-...

Solid tiles whereas some have a waffle texture on the underside which makes them much less resistant to dents.

If you want to just eliminate the dust problem before committing to tiling then Everbuild 403 Concrete hardener works well. I applied it as an interim measure and it made a huge difference. Brush and vac the floor, apply with a garden sprayer, second application 24H later. 5 litres will do a single garage, so cheap too.