A garage is a homely place for your loving cars and vehicles. For many, it is the workshop, auto shop, and an area for changing oil or washing vehicles. You might have decorated your garage with the latest wall designs, a couple of beautiful cars, and equipped it with the finest tools but have you ever looked upon the floor? This is the problem, that we often overlook the importance of floor looks in the garage thinking that it won’t much matter.
One of the easiest ways to keep your garage floor classy and beautiful is to paint it. But the problem with the paint is that it cracks, peel off, stained, or bubble up. A porous floor is next to impossible to clean when oil is spilled over it. So, it is very important that you should make the right choice of garage floor paint to escape from the hassle of doing it every year, plus, quality also does matter. All the garage paints are not the same.
Figuring out which could be the best garage floor paint for you can be a laborious process. That’s why we are compiling the list of 7 best garage floor paints to take away your pain.
Our Selection for the Best Garage Floor Paints.
This is not just painted but a complete solution for all your garage floor problems. It gives a grey shiny finish to your floor. Later on this article, we are covering the difference between normal standard paint and Epoxy paint. As of now, all you should know that Epoxy paints are very durable, sticky to the floor, and stay tough.
Rust-Oleum Epoxy Shield offers great durability and protects the floor against oil spills, chemicals, gases, damage from road salts, and hot tire pick up. Epoxy paint takes away the issue of peeling and cracking the surface forever. You can buy a complete Kit which includes Epoxy formula, concrete etch, and concentrated concrete cleaner. So, you just need a roller or brush to get started.
For adding more attractions, you can also try some decorative chips. However, the simple grey glossy finish reflects enough light that looks really good.
Key Features.
- A complete kit containing etch, cleaner, and paint formula.
- Durable and tough against extreme temperatures.
- Grey color finish.
Specifications
| Brand | Rust-Oleum |
| Model | 261845 |
| Weight | 28 lbs |
2. Coloured Epoxies 10022 Light Beige Epoxy Resin Coating
This kit contains 3 items that are 2x resin and 1 hardener. It provides a very tough finish but it is not a water-based product like Epoxy Kit. This is quite different from regular standard paint but does not meet the benchmark of Epoxy Kit. Its installation is also a complicated task that needs the help of a professional. Though it is to roll out the duration it offers is very short for which it remains pliable.
Key Features.
- 2 Part Epoxy Kit.
- Easy to use.
- A bit expensive
- Tough finish.
Specifications
| Brand | Coloured Epoxies |
| Model | MB10022 |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs |
3. Liquid Rubber Foundation Sealant, Black 5 Gallon
This one is the unique product in our list of best garage floor paints. It is a formula that is just more than the paint. But it is applied in the same way in layers until you get the finish you want. No doubt, it is far better than traditional paints because it is environmentally friendly. Another thing why it could be the right fit for your garage is its water solvent property. It’s very easy to apply and stick on any surface.
Apart from that, it has no harmful or bad odor present. Along with painting your floor, it can also fill the gaps and cracks. So, you can save the cost and time for repairing and preparing the floor for painting. Since it is a water solvent, it’s waterproof!
Key Features.
- Fill the gaps and seal the cracks.
- Super easy to apply.
- Sticky to the surface.
- Environmental friendly.
- Multi-functional.
Specifications
| Brand | Liquid Rubber |
| Model | 20602 |
| Weight | 45 lbs |
4. KILZ L377611 1-Part Epoxy Acrylic Interior/Exterior Concrete and Garage Floor Paint
It is a regular water-based paint with the Epoxy acrylic features. In simpler words, you can take this as the mixture of regular paint and the Epoxy one. This means that you can enjoy the affordable price, easy to apply, with the toughness of the Epoxy. Plus, it offers the same adhesive quality as the Epoxy.
We can say it is a 1 part Epoxy, so you can’t expect the same toughness like that of the 2 Part Epoxy as we have discussed above in the Rust-Oleum product. So, for a professional garage where the traffic of vehicles is pretty high, it is not suggested. But it is a nice option in your home garage where you just park your two or four-wheelers. Also, the finish it provides is quite satisfactory.
Key Features.
- Offers the quality of 1 part Epoxy at the affordable rate of standard paint.
- Easy to apply.
- Gives a glossy smooth look.
- Good for a home garage.
Specifications
| Brand | Kilz |
| Model | L377711 |
| Weight | 11 lbs |
5. Rust-Oleum 203007 Epoxy Shield Basement Floor Kit
This is the other product in our list from the Rust-Oleum family. As you can get an idea by the name, it is a great basement floor paint which has all the significant features that one can look into a garage floor paint.
This product of Rust-Oleum showcases strong anti-chemical properties, preventing the floor from stains, scraping from anti-freezing, gasoline, oils, and road salts. Plus, it also has the property to resist the hot tire pick up. It protects the floor from cracks and keeps it safe from the regular wear and tear caused due to vehicles parked over it.
In all, this product has all the necessary features that anyone wants to have in a floor garage paint. Visit the link to add in your cart now.
Key Features.
- Long-lasting paint for all types of surfaces.
- Easy to clean.
- Resist from hot tire pick up.
- Preventing the floor from stains.
- It offers protection against chemicals and oils.
Specifications
| Brand | Rust-Oleum |
| Model | 203007 |
| Weight | Just 1 lb |
6. SUPERCOAT Waterborne Urethane Glaze Coat
This waterborne acts like a laminator for your garage floor. This product is formed from urethane suspended in water. You can understand urethane as a next-level Epoxy so you can think how tough it will be. With this product, you can protect your garage floor with industrial-level chemical protection. So, it is crystal clear that in terms of floor protection this is the best.
In terms of toughness, it won’t disappoint you. In fact, set your expectations further high. Although, it will not compromise the price anywhere. But if you may stretch your budget a bit, you should grab this amazing super long-lasting product clicking the above link.
Key Features.
- Dries fast.
- Industrial level chemical protection.
- Easy to clean.
- Extremely tough.
Specifications
| Brand | SUPERCOAT |
| Model | SC550-KR-CLO |
| Weight | 11 lbs |
7. UNITED GILSONITE LAB 21413 Dove Grey Paint, 1 Gal
It is concrete floor paint specially formulated for beautifying interior and exterior floors of your home, office, sidewalks, and even wooden surfaces. It outperforms ordinary floor paint in case of heavy traffic of vehicles. Not just that, it will also stand strong of washed, extreme weather, acids, and alkalis.
It is both paint and primer. It is developed for scientific use for both commercial and industrial use. You can apply it on both plain surfaces and previously painted surfaces. It’s an easy and simple kit.
Key Features.
- It is non-flammable.
- Suitable for commercial & industrial use.
- Scientifically developed.
- For both exterior and interior use.
Specifications
| Brand | UNITED GILSONITE |
| Model | 21413 |
| Weight | 10.75 lbs |
Buying Guide For Buying Best Garage Floor Paints
A garage floor is exposed to a lot of wear and tear due to cars, bikes, and bicycles moving in and out frequently. It has been found that most of the garage owners prefer not to paint the garage floor but the concrete surface becomes porous and thus tells the story of the abuse it witnesses.
Water and extreme temperature crack the surface and chemicals used in the making of the vehicle may leave the dirty looking stains behind. Eventually, all these affect the overall appearance of your garage floor and may raise the further severe risk like crumbling or fire.
So, if you have decided to paint your garage floor but have no idea where to start, go through this guide that gives you the complete idea about the best garage floor paints and eventually helps you in picking the right one for your garage.
Read our article on Best weight distribution hitch in 2020.
Types of Garage Paints
Keeping our criteria broad, there are basically 3 types of garage floor you can make choices among. Let us talk them in detail –
Standard Paint
If you make the choice of standard paint, you will enjoy two main benefits. It fits into your pocket and offers a wide range of variety to choose from. This is a latex acrylic style of paint that will not provide you with the toughness you need. That’s the reason, in our list of best garage floor paints, we have included none of them because we don’t want you to compromise with the quality. It stands nowhere when we talk about the Epoxy paints and 2 Part Epoxy kit.
If your budget is limited and you are ready to repaint your garage floor quite frequently, you may go with this type of floor paint for your garage.
Epoxy Paint
The level of quality you can expect from Epoxy is moderate. So, it wouldn’t be wrong that it lies somewhere between standard paints and the 2 Part Epoxy kit. In simpler words, it is a regular paint with the Epoxy mixed into it. Though it is not as durable as the Epoxy kit but offers you much more than standard paint with a sufficient range of colors and at a reasonable cost. Plus, putting the Epoxy paint is as simple as the normal paint.
You should also read our guide on Best Muffler for your ride.
2 Part Epoxy Kit
This is the superior type among all the garage floor paints. It is the pure mixture of Epoxy resin and a polyamine hardener. That’s why its name is 2 Part Epoxy Kit. The finish it provides is extremely superb and long-lasting. You can also make use of it in decorative, colored chips, or flecks. Though the range of colors it offers is limited.
Besides the above, there is a 4th category of floor garage paints, that you can paint over the regular paint to add an extra layer of protection.
Tips for Picking the Best Garage Floor Paint For You
Get the perfect floor finish for your garage by keeping in mind the things you should consider before buying the floor paint.
Cost
As we discussed above the 3 major types of garage floor paints. The standard one is very cheap while as the quality and durability increase, the price will also. So, you should check what’s your budget!
Floor Area
Also, consider the floor area of your garage. This will give you a clear idea of how much quantity of paint is required to single coat it or if you wish to double coat the paint. Also, you can match it with your budget. It could be creepy if you run out of the paint in the middle of the work. It is suggested to get a little extra than required just in case of wastage, lost, or for extra use.
Appearance
Standard quality paint is less sticky and gives a lower sheen finish. It is suitable if the floor doesn’t matter much. However, Epoxy is thicker and more sticker than standard paint. It gives a glossy look and turns the ultra-polished appearance of the floor. But if you want hundreds of color ranges to choose from, you won’t like Epoxy because it has a limited choice of colors available. Epoxy offers solid colors that can be changed using tint color flakes.
Traction
Epoxy is slicker and so they are prone to slip. If that can create a problem for you, you should go for an Epoxy Kit that comes with anti-slip and skid compounds to offer high traction on the floor. If traction is the real concern, standard paint is also a good choice.
Application
If you choose Epoxy paint, you need a lot of floor preparation before applying the paint. It needs washing of the floor using a degreaser, opening up the porous floor using muriatic acid or etching compound. If required, you have to also repair the concrete floors if seriously damaged. After doing this only, you can apply the Epoxy floor paint dual-coated either with a brush or using the roller. Plus, with Epoxy, you also need to apply the top-coat which should be urethane-based.
However, if you are using the standard paint, you may skip the step of etching or prime the floor. It just needs to wash the floor with a degreasing solution and paint coating. It is your wish to put 2 to 3 layers of paint. The use of a brush is generally preferred here.
Durability
Durability is one of the biggest concerns because no one wants to take the trouble of painting the garage floor every year or even frequently. A standard quality floor paint usually goes along for a maximum of 2 to 3 years that too if handled with care. This paint is easily stained by chemicals or peels off quickly.
Talking about the Epoxy Paint, it is more durable than the Standard one but not as much as the Epoxy Kit. Epoxy paint may last up to 5 years or even more. It is also stain-resistant, non-porous, and chemical-resistant. Even in extreme temperature conditions and heavy traffic of vehicles, it won’t ask for the replacement before 3 years.
On the other hand, 2 Part Epoxy Kit is the best and offers the highest durability. It is stain-resistant and is not prone to any type of chemicals and also provides resistance to hot tire pick up.
Maintenance
Good maintenance may save you from the frequent replacement of paint plus also cuts the cost. Standard and Epoxy floor paints can easily clean through mopping and sweeping either daily or you can do it weekly also. For deep cleaning or if you want to remove any specific stains, you may make use of dish soap liquid, a gallon of hot water, and foam mop to clean it. However, you can’t too frequently apply the soap because it may take away the glossy look of the floor.
You may go with the soap-free and chemical-free solutions like ammonia diluted solution with hot water. If your floor paint is Epoxy Kit, it takes the least grease to wipe or mop it out but has more friction and takes more time in cleaning up.
Chemical Vs UV Resistance Toughness
Unless you work with perfection, there are quite possible chances that you spill oil, gases, and chemicals on the garage floor and this is what generally happens. This is harmful to the floor paint. Therefore, you should get the floor paint which is tough and resistant to chemicals. Manufacturers generally mention this clearly which chemical their product will resist.
UV resistance is another case that is however not so important in the case of indoor garage applications. But if you are, in any case, outside the garage, make sure that it is UV resistant. Otherwise, it may fade too quickly.
Warranty
Though seems not so important it does matter if you are taking other factors into account. Some quality brands offer a warranty period as they want to assure their customers of the durability and the expected services. Some offer even a lifetime warranty while some do not offer a warranty at all. Check if the product you are selecting comes with a warranty or not. You may use it as a decisive factor between the two equivalent brands.
Benefits of Painting Your Garage Floor
It is never a waste to paint your garage floor with quality paint. Here’re some of the apparent benefits you may enjoy painting your garage floor. Take a look –
- Turns the floor looks attractive.
- It makes the surface smooth for easy cleaning.
- The garage floor will become stain resistant.
- Your garage will bright up due to the glossy surface of the paint that reflects light.
- A painted garage floor will add up to the value of it, in case, you want to sell it.
- Keeps the dust away.
- Painting it protects the concrete floor.
How to Prepare a Garage Floor For Painting?
There are majorly 2 types of floor that demand painting. One is the bare concrete floor which has never been painted before. And the other is the floor which was painted previously and no peeling off is there. Preparation is a very crucial step for good looking and durable results of the floor painting.
Look at the following steps to get ready for your floor for painting.
First of all, you need to sweep off the dust, dirt, and debris from the floor.
Take some cleansing agent or you may use a degreaser. Make sure you get a
branded one otherwise it may degrade the quality of the paint.Then it’s time for acid etching the floor. This raises the ability of the paint to stick on the concrete floor.
Do follow the instructions and tips suggested by the manufacturer while acid
etching.Finally, take help of the professional painter to get your garage floor painted with Perfection.
The above steps are for the former case i.e. when the floor is never painted before but if you have ever tried painting the floor before, you have to remove the previous paint. For this, read the next heading.
How to Remove Paint From a Garage Floor?
Maybe in the excitement of the new paint or due to lack of proper knowledge, people usually forget to undertake this part of the painting process. Before you get ready for your floor for painting, you have to remove the previous floor paint. Here’s how.
If the floor is painted with the standard paint, you can easily get it removed with the help of some sort of paint stripper or any liquid use for removing the paint. However, if the paint was Epoxy, then it might take time and labor. If it is already peeling off, that’s a good thing for you. You can start by removing the areas that are already peeling off. To take away the rest, make use of some orbital sander or floor buffer with a harsh pad.
In the case of the standard paint, you should remove it completely and go back to the concrete floor. But if it is Epoxy paint, then you should remove the paint unless all the peeling off and stains are removed. You can go directly prime over it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Garage Floor Paint.
Actually, painting won’t take much time but it is the prep work that extends the process. If the concrete floor is cracking then the paint will not stick to it. So, preparing the floor is a must and a lengthy process. Once it is done, painting the floor takes no time.
The rule is simple. The higher the Epoxy count, the longer it will take to set down. For this, you should also go through the instructions given in the product manual. However, as a general precaution, avoid walking on the new floor before at least 24 hours. And don’t even think of parking the car before the expiry of 72 hours.
Yes, it is possible but you should know the consequences. Painting a damaged or flawed or marred concrete floor may decrease the quality of the end paint. If you are planning to take good quality paint like Epoxy, then it is wise to apply the paint on the good quality concrete surface to get the most out of your money. It takes some extra time to prepare the concrete floor but it is worth spending time rather than losing the quality of your valuable paint.
If you have chosen Epoxy or Epoxy Kit to paint you may enjoy the floor paint for anywhere up to 30 years with good care. If not at least up to 10 years the floor paint will not complain considering normal wear and tear. On the other hand, if it is standard the lifespan may be a little shorter.
If you are using chemical resistant paint, you don’t need to worry about road salt and motor oil stain. The thumb rule is clear, the rougher the paint, the fewer chances that it will damage the floor. However, it has also been seen that even the toughest floor paint loses the battle against the deadliest chemicals. The best practice is to mop down your garage floor time and again and keep it clean from all sorts of chemicals. This will extend the life span too.
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