Garage flloor levelling compound

[blueST]

All the commonly available levelling compounds seem to stress they are not be used as the wearing surface. So, what should I use to sort the bobbly, rough laid concrete in my garage? I want to put something down and then paint with an epoxy paint once it's dried. I'm trying to get something practical and hard wearing on a budget. No fancy tile systems or Axminster for me.

I did find something called Ardex k301, but hardlly anywhere sells it and it's £60 a bag!

[omniflow]

Only a slightly useful response I'm afraid.

I used a leveling compound on my Garage floor about 8 years ago, I don't remember the exact one I used, but I'm fairly sure it started with Ar. The nearest place I could find that sold it was about 15 miles away. IT wasn't £60 a bag, but it certainly wasn't cheap.

Three tips:

1. Make absolutely sure you buy enough first time round - you need to keep a wet edge, so if you need to run out and get more half way through - from a place 15 miles away - it's a bit of a panic. I ended up using twice as much as I thought I needed
2. Buy a big mixing bucket and a big mixing paddle.
3. Most importantly - when the guy tells you you'll need a spiked roller, don't ignore him. Buy one - and use it. You roll the surface with it and it gets rid of all the air bubbles. If you're after a decent finish you will definitely need this.

I then used a 2 part epoxy paint with some flakes that you sprinkle over when it's wet to provide grip.

It's still fine.

[Cheburator mk2]

blueST said:

All the commonly available levelling compounds seem to stress they are not be used as the wearing surface. So, what should I use to sort the bobbly, rough laid concrete in my garage? I want to put something down and then paint with an epoxy paint once it's dried. I'm trying to get something practical and hard wearing on a budget. No fancy tile systems or Axminster for me.

I did find something called Ardex k301, but hardlly anywhere sells it and it's £60 a bag!

I still have a bag of the stuff left over from when I did the garage in the summer. Got it from Jewson - was not cheap - about £33 per bag, but you can use it as the wearing surface. Laid it down, waited for 2 weeks until it was completely dry and then "sanded" to a glass smooth finish with a handheld stone. Then I painted it with garage floor paint. Have used jack stands, dropped an exhaust system, rolled an engine about on an engine stand - no issues whatsoever. When I get home tonight, I will post the name of the product.

[furtive]

I've got a similar issue and I'm probably going to use this stuff:

http://www.floorpaintexpress.co.uk/level-it-concre...

[blueST]

omniflow said:

Only a slightly useful response I'm afraid.

I used a leveling compound on my Garage floor about 8 years ago, I don't remember the exact one I used, but I'm fairly sure it started with Ar. The nearest place I could find that sold it was about 15 miles away. IT wasn't £60 a bag, but it certainly wasn't cheap.

Three tips:

1. Make absolutely sure you buy enough first time round - you need to keep a wet edge, so if you need to run out and get more half way through - from a place 15 miles away - it's a bit of a panic. I ended up using twice as much as I thought I needed
2. Buy a big mixing bucket and a big mixing paddle.
3. Most importantly - when the guy tells you you'll need a spiked roller, don't ignore him. Buy one - and use it. You roll the surface with it and it gets rid of all the air bubbles. If you're after a decent finish you will definitely need this.

I then used a 2 part epoxy paint with some flakes that you sprinkle over when it's wet to provide grip.

It's still fine.

That sounds like the Ardex stuff I've seen. Not sure how you workout what thickness you going to end up using. Take a guess and double it?

[blueST]

Cheburator mk2 said:

I still have a bag of the stuff left over from when I did the garage in the summer. Got it from Jewson - was not cheap - about £33 per bag, but you can use it as the wearing surface. Laid it down, waited for 2 weeks until it was completely dry and then "sanded" to a glass smooth finish with a handheld stone. Then I painted it with garage floor paint. Have used jack stands, dropped an exhaust system, rolled an engine about on an engine stand - no issues whatsoever. When I get home tonight, I will post the name of the product.

You don't happen to have the product name do you?

Edited by blueST on Thursday 10th January 12:54

[blueST]

furtive said:

I've got a similar issue and I'm probably going to use this stuff:

http://www.floorpaintexpress.co.uk/level-it-concre...

I saw that after I posted last night. That's the nearest thing I've seen to what I'm after too.

[Spudler]

If your on a budget, Cementone Cempolay Ultra Strong.

[seeby]

Hi blueST, What you need is F.Ball Green Bag mixed with 55 Acrylic Emulsion.Goes rock hard ,suitable to paint over ,does about 6m2 per bag @3mm and costs about 18 quid +vat. Go to a flooring supplier such as Volante.(I am not associated with Volante, but I think they are in your area.)

[blueST]

Spudler said:

If your on a budget, Cementone Cempolay Ultra Strong.

Usefully, it seems I can get this from Jewson, which is about 5 mins from my house. Ideal for that moment when I realise I'm one bag short!

[Cheburator mk2]

blueST said:

Usefully, it seems I can get this from Jewson, which is about 5 mins from my house. Ideal for that moment when I realise I'm one bag short!

This the stuff I used too. Hope this helps!