How To Apply Garage Floor Coating The Right Way
Easily apply great looking & strong garage floor coating using Rust-Oleum RockSolid Flooring Kit
This post is sponsored by Rust-Oleum, see our policies here.
Sometimes you have to do things wrong to get them right the next time…
That was definitely the case for our past garage flooring project.
A couple of years ago Adam painted concrete floors using an off brand coating kit.
It didn’t come with a lot of directions & we learned a lot of lessons!
It started peeling almost immediately & scratched when a penny feel on it (I wish that was an exaggeration).
So when we started the garage/workshop renovation we knew we had to do it right this time, if we wanted it to last.
This time around we did a ton of up-front research.
We found the most loved kit based on customer reviews is Rust-Oleum’s RockSolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Coating Kit!
Spoiler Alert: It came out 100x better than we imagined & I am going to show you exactly what to do & not to do to get your own amazing results!
Garage Floor Coating Installation
Supplies:
- Rust-Oleum Cleaner & Degreaser
- Rust-Oleum Moisture Stop Fortifying Sealer
- Rust-Oleum RockSolid Garage Floor Coating Kit
- Rust-Oleum RockSolid Clear Garage Floor Coating
- Medium Stiff Scrub Brush
- Paint Brush/Paint Tray
- Paint Roller Frame
- Pump Sprayer
- Long Handle Squeegee
How To Apply Garage Floor Coating The Right Way
First things first, let’s look at where we started:
When we first bought our forever home I knew this space would make the perfect workshop, it just needed a little (a whole dang lot) of TLC.
We started by taking everything out of the garage, painting the walls, & adding brighter overhead lighting.
This was a small improvement but improvement nonetheless!
Now onto the fun part: Garage Floor Prep/Coating
Step 1: Rust-Oleum Cleaner & Degreaser
This is an extremely important step that you should really take your time on!
The first time we tried to paint garage floors we only pressure washed them & that led to big time failure.
We mixed the degreaser with water according to the instructions & used a spray pump to coat the floor.
Next, we used a medium stiff brush to scrub it into the floor.
I definitely recommend getting a long broom handle attachment.
After the floor was thoroughly scrubbed, we used a pressure washer to rinse off the degreaser.
Once the degreaser is rinsed away we used the squeegee to remove all the water from the floor.
We did this entire part of the process twice because it is so important to make sure you are starting with a really clean surface.
Step 2: Etch The Floor
Now that the floor is clean enough to eat off of 😉 we can start etching!
The etching mix can be found in the RockSolid Floor Coating kit.
We started by pre wetting the floor with water.
Then, we mixed the etch with 2 gallons of water & used the sprayer to evenly coat the floor.
Etching opens up the pores of the concrete which will allow the coating to adhere to the surface better.
Once you sprayed a portion of the concrete with the etch mix, vigorously scrub the floor with bristle brush, then rinse.
Keep the floor wet the entire time you are etching, scrubbing, & rinsing.
Finally rinse off the entire floor with a pressure washer & squeegee the excess moisture off the surface.
Step 3: Rust-Oleum Moisture Stop
If you have a moisture problem this step is crucial!
You can check to see if you have a moisture issue by tapping a square of saran-wrap to the garage floor & letting it sit for 24 hours.
If you see moisture droplets under the wrap, you need this step!
Spray the Moisture Stop onto the floor using a sprayer & work into the concrete with the scrub brush.
It’s important to mist the area for 30-45 minutes while the Moisture Stop is setting.
After it sets for 45 minutes, squeegee the excess moisture off of the surface.
IMPORTANT: Wait 2 hours, then flush the entire floor with water & squeegee until dry!
Step 4: Applying Rust-Oleum Garage Floor Coating
Finally it’s time to paint!
It is really hard to resist not jumping right to this step but if you don’t do a good job with the prep work then you will not have the best results.
The RockSolid kit comes with everything you need for this process & it also contains the etch we used in step 2.
We chose to work with this kit for many reasons but the biggest is that Polycuramine is 20 times stronger than epoxy!
If have been following along with us for anytime at all you know we have a wild child toddler & need that kind of industrial strength 😅
First, break the middle barrier on the easy mix burst pouch to combine part A & part B together.
After the coating is mixed together (about 2-3 minutes) you can either pour it directly onto the floor or use a paint tray like we did.
We started by using a brush to cut in around the edges & corners.
The RockSolid Polycuramine is a low odor coating & VOC free so unlike the last time, I didn’t have to hold my breath while applying!
Next, we switched to a roller working in 4×4 sections.
I was shocked at how well the coating self leveled!
Once you paint a section, if you are adding in the decorative chips now is the time to do it!
This was obviously hands down my favorite part of the entire process😉
I found the best method for even, non clumpy chip coverage was to throw the sprinkles in the air & let them float down.
One coat covered the entire floor perfectly!
We let it sit overnight before moving onto the final step!
Step 5: Rust-Oleum RockSolid Clear Garage Floor Coating
The final step y’all!
I swear I heard the Rocky theme song while I was mixing the clear coat together 😉
Mix the clear coat contents together by breaking the seam & combining the two parts.
We cut in the sides & corners the same way as we did with the coating.
Then finished applying the clear coat using a roller working in an M & W pattern.
It is a little hard to see what has been covered & what has not.
That’s why it’s important to leave a wet edge & work in the same pattern.
Once it’s complete this surface will be walk on ready in 8-10 hours & drive on ready in 24!
Drum Roll Please: Garage Floor Coating Installation Reveal
Can you even believe this is the same space?!
The floors turned out absolutely amazing & have the perfect sheen to them!
This color is called Dark Gray High Gloss.
There are a bunch of other RockSolid color options to choose from.
You can see all the color options here!
This garage floor coating installation was so simple & all the extra prep work at the beginning really paid off in the end.
It’s amazing how just coating the floors makes this space feel brighter, cleaner, & more finished.
We still have a couple of things to knock off the To Do list for this space, but this was a major step towards the finish line.
Let me know what y’all think of our new garage floor coating & which color you are going to choose for yours!
All that tedious work for a garage floor???
Where did all that water go all the times you had to power wash? Looks awesome, however, but way too much time involved for me. Wouldn’t mind you coming over to do ours though!!!😉
Hi Monique! We used the big squeegee to push it to the outside & it just drained into the grass or evaporated! It was a few steps but so very worth it!
This is so helpful!!!! Going to do mine soon!!
I am so glad! Let me know if you have any questions!
Is it still holding on? Want to do it but I’m afraid it won’t last…
It is holding up really great! It even had some minor flooding in there and still held up perfectly!
I just sone mine coating on a grand new garage, I didn’t have to do the pre-step. Just wait for clear topcoat arrive to complete the project. It looks amazing already
That is awesome! You are going to love it!
Is the clear coat necessary?
Yes to protect the base coat I definitely recommend the clear coat!