I have been so excited to DIY epoxy my garage floors, it just wasn't a motivating space to work in anymore! After receiving quotes that were in the 3k range, I decided to think about how to attempt DIY. I researched what products were out there, and how people used them, so that I can save time, money, and my sanity! Then I found this brand new Epoxy DIY Kit on Facebook Marketplace for a 1/4 of the price!! I knew THIS was my sign to get this done!
I’m going to share with you everything I did with my garage floors, including the lessons I learned along the way so you can achieve the best results for your garage. Follow me on Instagram to see the journey from beginning to end.
Choosing a DIY Epoxy Kit:
The Rock Solid by Rust Oleum Includes:
-2 bags of poly/paint
-2 epoxy rollers
-2 bags of chips
-Etching solution
Unlike many epoxy kits that are out there, this brand uses polycuramine which is a mixture of polyurea, urethane, AND epoxy combined into one, making it stronger and more durable! Polycuramine is still a new product on the market, so many people aren’t familiar with it, but I've heard great reviews from DIY friends so I'm excited to get started!
NOTE: I should preface this by saying I do not normally park my car inside my garage, so vehicle traffic was not a concern for me. However, I do a lot of work inside the garage, so durability was still very important.  You can read more about the product online, but here were my favorite selling points:
a. Has a fast cure time of 8- 10 hours. And in 24 hrs you can drive on it.
b. It doesn't need a top coat, however adding one won't hurt.
c. It says its enough for 2.5 car garage, and comes with almost everything you need. Except, I do have a list of things I bought extra and i'm very glad I did.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Extra chips (optional)
A bowl for distributing the chips
A pair of gloves (optional)
A pair of scissors to cut the bags open.
Bristle Brush for touch ups
Power washer or a hose with a jet setting
Extra bucket for etching solution
Fan to dry concrete during prepping
🚨 Things to Know Before You Go:
Temperatures are best 70 to 80° for maximum adhesion.Â
Once you open your paint you will have 40 min. to apply each bag on the floor.Â
25 min. IF the temps are too high/low.
Work quickly and setup everything beforehand.
Give yourself 2 days to prep the concrete and allow drying time.
Coverage will depend on the condition of your concrete
You may need to use a primer if your concrete is coated
Customer service is VERY helpful call for any questions.
Buy more than you need just in case.
SO LET'S GET INTO IT...
Step 1: Prepping The Concrete
Preparation is key! Start by removing all items, vehicles, and debris from the garage. Sweep, vacuum, or use a leaf blower to eliminate any loose dirt or dust.
Next, Degrease. Give it a deep cleaning using a degreaser or a DIY a mixture of 1 part water, 1 part white vinegar, and dawn dish soap to clean, it helps remove any oil stains or grime. Scrub with a deck brush, and use a spatula to get any remaining residue off. Then wash with a hose on a jet setting or a pressure washer to rinse thoroughly. To help it dry quicker, we setup fans on the floor and even used our shop vac to suck up the water. Our deck brush came with a squeegee which was helpful to remove pools of water and dry the floor even quicker!Â
Step 2: Embrace imperfectionsÂ
Inspect your garage floor for any cracks, pits, or imperfections that need to be fixed. Also look to see if there are any grease stains, sticky residue, or paint that didn’t come off in step 1. I found it was best to fix concrete holes and patching after the etching, not before. You’ll also want to determine if your concrete is coated or not. To do so, notice if it drinks water quickly or pools up, if it pools up it is likely coated and you may benefit from a primer. I did not use a primer and the adhesion worked well for me.Â
Step 3: Etch And Clean The Concrete
Etching the garage floor is essential to create a rough surface. It opens up the pores of the concrete, ensuring better adhesion of the paint/poly. The instructions say to wet the floor first and apply the etching. The kit comes with two packets of etching solution that you have to mix with water. Once mixed, apply the solution evenly across the floor using a long-handled scrub brush. You will hear it working because it sounds like Rice Krispies sizzling on the floor! Once you scrub, you can rinse the floor thoroughly with a hose afterward, ensuring no residue remains and let it dry completely.
Step 4: Patch The Cracks
Once it has completely dried, patch up any holes or cracks with a concrete patching compound. Allow ample time for the compound to dry and harden before proceeding. I know this process might feel like forever but it will benefit you in the end!
Step 5: GET READY TO PAINT
FIRST MASSAGE the first bag for 2 minutes and only work with ONE BAG AT A TIME! You will only have 40 minutes (if temps are not too hot or cold) to apply it on the floor before it begins to thicken and harden. It was 90 degrees for us and customer service line told us we had 20 minutes to apply per bag!!!
NEXT ROLL part A into part B until it bursts open. Then massage it until it’s combined for 2 minutes. Cut open your bag with scissors and add the anti slip additive, mix with a paint stirrer and pour small amounts as you go. (note: i did not use a paint tray, but rather poured it).
THEN PAINT with your roller and extension pole. Apply the paint in small amounts directly from the bag. Be mindful to use a small amount at a time, then roll it on. Do not leave any puddles or streaks as this stuff will harden quickly. I had no intention of pouring it into a paint tray because the temp was 90 degrees and I didn’t want to waste my paint or time. So I poured a little at a time directly on the floor staying within 4x4 ft. section. Almost immediately after I rolled the paint, I added my chips. You do have to work quickly, so having a partner to help throw the chips while you paint is helpful. I used my hand brush to brush on paint in areas that needed it as i went.
LAST ADD CHIPS as you go! There is a certain finesse when it comes to adding your chips. You do want to throw the chips in the air not necessarily directly onto the floor. This is because the chips can clump if not thrown evenly. I definitely got carried away at some points and it shows in certain areas, but for the most part if you throw it up in the air little bit at a time you should be good. If you want it to look like the professionals do then buy an extra 2 bags of chips, it does make a difference!
DO I NEED A TOP COAT? (Optional)
Short answer: yeah possibly! If you're using a different EPOXY kit such as EpoxyShield there are many clear top coats to choose from and they are necessary because Epoxy isn't going to stand the test of time! I've heard that many Epoxy based kits do very little in protection from hot tires and will likely NEED a top coat.
Now, If you use the Rocksolid product like i did and want to add a clear top coat, then you MUST use a 2-part formula that is compatible! I've listed the only two top coats that I have found. Since Polycuramine is a one of a kind product, Rust Oleum brand makes a high gloss clear topcoat to go with it. It's a bit costly, which is why I found another brand for less!
As an DIY enthusiast, I try to be as honest as I can about the process and the finish. And so far, I think that this product looks great and easy to apply. However, I did not like how the anti-slip additive made the entire finish very gritty to the touch. I felt like it took much gloss away. Which is why I’m tempted to add a clear, high gloss topcoat. Perhaps I added too much of the additive in the mix? I did do a small section in the corner that had no anti-skid additive, and that small section turned out VERY glossy, and I sort of liked that better. But that’s the beauty of DIY! You have the freedom to make it what you want!
Let me know if your thinking of DIYing your garage floors! I love the way it turned out. Yes there are some spots where i could've done better but I can embrace the imperfections because my finished garage transforms the space 100%.