cement floor stain or paint?

[J. Davidson]

My husband just finished his shop and he wants to either paint or stain the cement floor. Which is the better, more durable, method? Opinions please. Jackie

[Norminn]

Probably difficult to get good results with paint if there is grease/oil in the concrete. Some painted concrete becomes terribly slippery when wet.

[hallerb]

On Dec 1, 8:00=EF=BF=BDpm, "J. Davidson" wrot= e:

=BDOpinions please.

stain is better than paint, paint peels and no matter how good never remains good looking long.

why not vinyl tile?

[SteveC]

I've heard mixing sand with paint to give it some grip when it gets wet/greasey.

There is also actual garage floor paint/dye that has antislip properties. not sure the name but a google search wouldn't go astray.

[DanG]

In my opinion and experience: Do NOT paint, not even the epoxies.

Stain with sealer is not bad. Be aware, the sealer will need periodic reapplication.

Look through their products and examples.

Sealer on concrete may be the most forgiving. Think Home Depot floor.

Ground and polished concrete for the elitists. This will still require maintenance. Here is one example:

[professorpaul]

I had a clean floor to start with. I did my garage/workshop area with the epoxy stuff. One kit per single car garage size. Other than a couple of spots where the tires have scuffed the stuff away (my fault for not letting it likely cure completely), it is great. With the smooth surface, it sweeps or hoses down nicely. There is an acid etch with the kit that should clean things up pretty good. If there is a lot of grease, all bets are off. About $65 for each kit. I have had it in 18 months now. You sprinkle "speckles" on it, which breaks up any irregularities in the concrete. It does have to be warm (> 60f) to use the stuff, however, if that is an issue. Takes a couple of days to set up/cure.

[Malcolm Hoar]

I'd go for a stain. A couple of good products:

The first one may not be available in your state (VOC regs). The second one is water based and should be available anywhere.

[BobK207]

What is condition of existing concrete? new? old? greasy? clean? moisture barrier beneath slab?

I have painted several lab / shop floors; some new concrete, some old.

and a couple of garage floors with Rustoleum 9100 Series DTM Industrial Mastic

cheers Bob

[ransley]

Sherwin Williams carries HC oil stain it lasted 10 years in a garage for cars and did not peal, but it is a toxic blend of toluene and zylene.

[samurai]

There are some new acid etch/stain for concrete, that look really good, but is quite pricey and i'm not sure it is a DIY job. I've seen it in a few showrooms. They can make a pattern in it of any kind.

samurai

[ransley]

I have seen photos of the new acid etch process, it is worth looking into

[Bonnett Decorating]

I've had very good results on both basement and garage floors with the concrete stain from Benjamin Moore. Floors have to be clean and grease free. Apply according to package directions. Unless the floors are hard toweled, an acid etch is not required. YMMV