DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

epoxy paint

1K views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  mapleleafpaul 
#1 · (Edited)
I have a peeling chipping mess of a two part epoxy paint job on my garage floor. I followed all the directions when my wife and I put it down about five years ago and it lasted about a year, then began to chip and peel (especially when I drop a tool). The auto tires also contribute to the problem.
So what is the best way for me (my wife wont help) to get this stuff off?. Following the successful removal I'll be posting a request for a way to restore the concrete. Thanks, I look forward to replies.. Paul
 
#2 · (Edited)
Obviously part of the attraction of an epoxy garage floor was its supposed resistance to chemicals? Not much in the form of casual strippers to apply now to get it off.

Renting a floor/concrete grinder is probably going to be your best option. You can use it to prep the concrete for what is next when you have it rented. It is not an especially fun tool to work with but will get the job done. Stock up on dust masks and bags for the shop vac!
 
#3 ·
Paul, if you can afford it, I would seriously recommend consulting with some local pros about removal. Talk to your local real paint store people and ask if they know of someone who does a lot of work with expoxies and concrete floors. That's not an everyday request, and as a pro, that's where I would start.
 
#4 ·
If it's peeling and coming up like you have said, you could try a large, long-handled industrial floor scraper. The big box stores usually have them in the flooring section. They are heavy and have a sharp, carbide blade on the working end that can really tear into a floor that's coming up like that. It's worth a shot.
 
#5 ·
Epoxy paint

Thanks guys (and or gals) for the input on epoxy removal. I have watched a few you tube videos using various methods and the grinding with a serious machine and vac appears to be the best method. I suppose I was looking for the easy way out. Thanks again for the speedy replies...Paul
 
#6 ·
Do you have a Home Depot near you? If you do they offer a floor buffer with a Diamabrush floor grinding attachment. This combination is the cheapest way to grind your floor and it does a good job. I will be grinding mine with this setup this month and putting down epoxy.


Earl
 
#7 ·
Epoxy paint removal

Yes we do have a Home Depot here in. S Ontario as well as a couple of independents so I will investigate the cost and details of operation. My garage is finished and painted with slot wall and cabinets and I am concerned with the dust that will accumulate on everything that I can't take outside and cover up. The utube videos show guys using floor grinders and water to keep the dust down, grinders alone and some with grinders and vacs. I am waiting on a price from a pro I found at a home show. I am probably like a lot of people using this site, I enjoy a DIY project especially if it is cost effective. Thanks Earl and if I am allowed to offer advice based on my experience with epoxy paint on the garage floor,.......don't do it. Paul
 
#8 ·
Too late, the product is already sitting here waiting for me to get to it. Actually I have every confidence in the product I have chosen and I'm sure it will come out fine. I also considered the dust problem and after talking to many knowledgeable people, about dry vs wet grinding, I am going to do mine dry with some plastic sheeting covering the lower portion of the walls. If you wet grind you have the problem of getting rid of all the slurry that it makes. I think I would rather deal with the dust then try and get all the slurry washed out and cleaned off the drive, I have pavers, and everything.


Earl
 
#9 ·
If you consider a wet process please also make sure you have near hair trigger GCFI protection on the machine! I lost a dear friend to a concrete saw once. He had saved up so long and hard to start his own company. He bought the best equipment but skimped on an expensive (not so much anymore) GCFI and fried himself not even being able to let go of the saw before the breaker finally tripped.
 
#10 ·
Epoxy paint

Mine didn't work out for several reasons, I don't have a heater in my garage and the freeze thaw cycle,dripping salt and water off the cars didn't help and I have chipped it numerous times by dropping tools. I will dry ground it off and protect the walls with poly and sweep/vac it up as I go along. And I will use eye, hearing protection and a respirator. I thank sdster for the reminder not to mix electricity and water.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top