Wake Up Tired Cracked Garage Floors With A Fresh Speckled DIY Finish

Garage floors are an area of the home that can often be overlooked, yet taking care of them is more important than you might think. It's no surprise that your garage door might be hurting the home's resale value, but upgrading it could be a waste of time if the state of the floor behind it has been ignored. In fact, waking up a tired and cracked floor is among the best hacks for your garage. What's more, thanks to modern finishing technology, you can DIY the job and leave a fresh, speckled finish that looks like it was installed by a pro.

One big question to answer is what type of product you should use to upgrade your garage floor. Epoxy floor coatings, as we see applied in an informative video by @studio_adash, are very popular. They are hard-wearing, affordable, and DIY friendly. They are available in a variety of colors, can be left plain or have decorative chips included, and anti-skid additives may be an option. So, following the suggestions in the video, let's look at the process of waking up your tire garage floor in more detail.

There are plenty of reasons why you should upgrade your garage floor, and numerous DIY epoxy coating kits are available. To maximize durability and avoid problems later, it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. You'll also want to check coverage, as this will impact the overall cost. Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield has many positive reviews, and a 2-gallon kit covers 450 to 500 square feet for under $200, which is very competitive.

Although the steps may vary, DIYing your garage floor usually follows a similar procedure. If you have bare concrete, the first job is to thoroughly clean and degrease it. Look for a product specifically designed to remove oil and grease from concrete. The video shows the use of a steel brush to work the cleaner well in. Next, you'll want to fill any cracks or holes. Numerous concrete patch products are available, some ready-to-use straight from the tub. Depending on the epoxy finish, you may now need to etch (as shown in the video) or prime the surface.

If your garage floor has been painted or tiled, check whether the product is suitable before you buy it. Some require grinding off the existing surface, whereas others can be applied if a primer is used. Generally speaking, it's a good idea to use a primer from the same brand as the epoxy to avoid adhesion or compatibility problems.

Most epoxy kits for garage floors come in two parts that must be mixed before use. Following the manufacturer's advice is vital at this key stage. Once the coating mixture is ready, it can be poured into a paint tray, and you can get to work.

The video creators begin by trimming the garage using a paintbrush (useful for tight, tricky areas). They then use a long-handled roller for most of the floor since it's quicker and easier. Speed is important because epoxy has a limited pot life (working time) once it is mixed. It is usually advised to work on manageable areas, say 4-foot by 4-foot sections, rather than trying to coat the whole garage floor at once, especially if adding decorative flakes for the professional high-shine look demonstrated.

Certain epoxy garage floor coatings only need a single coat. Some suggest a top coat for added durability, and we see @studio_adash choose this option. It's important that the first coat dries completely before adding the latter, or the job could be ruined. In most cases, it's a day or two before you can walk on the surface and three days to a week before you can drive on it. Whether you use your garage for vehicles and storage, or you're looking at ideas to turn your garage into another fun and functional room, following the steps shown will make sure the floor is sound, attractive, and easy to look after. It is well worth the time and effort.