What is the best? Looking at several mfgs Most are 2 part epoxy. Air Tech is the big advertiser in TAP
Jim
Polishing vs epoxy paint. ?
Lots of Big Box stores have polished.
Polished has a bunch of stain options too.
Thanks for the OP Jim. I been thinking same thing.
Kem
Jim,What is the best? Looking at several mfgs Most are 2 part epoxy. Air Tech is the big advertiser in TAP
Jim
Actually it's not slick when wet, we use it in industrial applications often. Going to do it in my new hanger, really easy to keep clean and it looks great for about $3.00 a sf.Polished is great till it gets wet.
Glenn
Polished and or stained will breathe and if you have a moisture problem under a slab and paint it it can bubble and fail.Polishing vs epoxy paint. ?
Lots of Big Box stores have polished.
Polished has a bunch of stain options too.
Thanks for the OP Jim. I been thinking same thing.
Kem
Lots of Air Tech floors at my airport and they do well except in high sub surface moisture areas. You have to properly clean and etch before application. Also you need to wear a GOOD respirator when putting it down and have ventilation.What is the best? Looking at several mfgs Most are 2 part epoxy. Air Tech is the big advertiser in TAP
Jim
What if the moisture is from condensation?Polished and or stained will breathe and if you have a moisture problem under a slab and paint it it can bubble and fail.
If you have moisture condensing ON the floor it is often likely passing through the slab from moisture below. This is a symptom of not having an effective vapor barrier under the slab. You can do a vapor pressure test to see if your condition is too severe. We see this often on glue down tile floors and it will cause the glue to bubble up between the tiles or on sheet vinyl can bubble the surface.What if the moisture is from condensation?
While this is a possibility, it only occurs on high humidity days. Also, two 14 foot walls of my hangar are poured concrete as the hangar is built into the side of a hill.If you have moisture condensing ON the floor it is often likely passing through the slab from moisture below.
Will polished concrete stain if oil drips on it?Actually it's not slick when wet, we use it in industrial applications often. Going to do it in my new hanger, really easy to keep clean and it looks great for about $3.00 a sf.
This is why I mentioned the wet floor. In some areas I've had carpet on the floor when the high humidity wets the floor. Then when I move the carpet the floor is dry where the carpet was located. I've been suspecting the stable temperature of the large mass of concrete which is tucked into the hill causing condensation of the humid air.Kirby
the old standby test for moisture in slab is tape down a sheet of plastic and watch for moisture?
jim
Not as easily as unpolished. The polishing densifies the surface and with a sealer over it the stain resistance is excellent. That's what I'm doing and if you want a shine a couple coats of a liquid Wax and you're stylen!Will polished concrete stain if oil drips on it?
Yep, leave it down for several days to a week. The vapor pressure test does about the same thing but gives a numeric value, typically over 3 pounds and you're in trouble for glue down products that don't breathe. If you see much moisture, don't do no-breatheable products.Kirby
the old standby test for moisture in slab is tape down a sheet of plastic and watch for moisture?
jim
Jim,
All of our compressor stations floors have a two part epoxy sprayed on then rolled. Simple application extremely durable. If rolled grit can be applied. I will reach out to our contractor for a preferred brand.
Unfortunately, I don't know of any currently available topical coating that will stop moisture transfer. Even Air-Tech requires essentially no vapor pressure http://www.airtechcoatings.com/pdfs/harddeckinstructions.pdfI have a 32' x 60' X16' high enclosed metal hangar with concreted floor. Roof is insulated with 1" sheet insulation. Under certain temp and humidity conditions, all metal parts in the hangar become soaked with moisture. Even the engine inside the cowling. Floor gets wet as well.Drives me nuts.
Will coating the floor with epoxy help this situation? I've been told that the only solution is a de humidifier which is essentially an AC unit.
Gary
I always wanted to paint my hanger floor but years and years of oil drips etc. and 5200 square feet I can't justify the cost.
Epoxy coating the floor will not prevent the condensation problem you have described.I have a 32' x 60' X16' high enclosed metal hangar with concreted floor. Roof is insulated with 1" sheet insulation. Under certain temp and humidity conditions, all metal parts in the hangar become soaked with moisture. Even the engine inside the cowling. Floor gets wet as well.Drives me nuts.
Will coating the floor with epoxy help this situation? I've been told that the only solution is a de humidifier which is essentially an AC unit.
Gary