A garage tends to store a lot of things, such as vehicles, outdoor furniture if you don’t have a shed, and even all of your DIY projects. With all that, the garage floor takes a beating and at times it can crack, requiring you to redo the floors.
Everything from simple water leaks to extreme weather temperatures to other chemicals could change how the floor looks. So that means you will want to know which garage floor paints to get so that you’ll be well prepared in the future. Read on to see what types of garage floor paint to get and why we’ve chosen some of the best garage floor paints on the market.
Top 3 Picks
Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating
This is our top pick out of all garage floor paints because it’s durable, can achieve that high gloss you want and can cover up to 700 square feet.
KILZ 1-Part Epoxy Acrylic Interior/Exterior Concrete and Garage Floor Paint
This is our runner up because you get the best bang for your money but it can paint both interior/exterior up to 400-500 square feet.
FIXALL Skid Grip Anti-Slip Paint
FIXALL made our list because not only is it anti-slip, it’s anti-skid too. You can apply this paint on most surfaces and have a choice between 6 colors.
Different Floor Paint Finishes
Besides making the garage look fresher and more updated, DIY’ers usually can choose from a few floor paint finishes (especially for the garage). You can choose from epoxy, acrylic, and latex. Let’s look deeper into those types.
Epoxy
This type of paint, if it’s epoxy, is typically sold in buckets or kits. You often see a “2 parts” formula that includes epoxy resin and polyamine hardener that you’ll need to mix together before you use it. Usually, with true epoxy paints, you get both solvent-based epoxy and water-based epoxy. However, if the paint only labels one part epoxy, usually there’s latex or acrylic paint that’s mixed with it, and it’s only slightly more durable than the latter (latex & acrylic).
Acrylic
If you have a garage that lacks climate control, acrylic paint may be best. We say this because as the concrete floor expands and contracts with fluctuating temperatures, it is less likely to crack and chip than the latex paint.
This type usually costs double than what you would get with latex, but for durability, it’s worth the money. Also, it’s less likely to fade with the sun beating on it, so whichever colors you end up getting will still be bright and fresh looking. Luckily, acrylic paint applies easily, especially to concrete floors.
Latex
Latex paint costs significantly less than acrylic and epoxy paints but it has no fumes and dries extremely quickly. It is a water-based product. Latex is also not as durable as acrylic and epoxy so you’ll likely be replacing the surface often as it can peel or fade easily if it’s exposed to weather.
How to choose the garage floor paint for you
There are some factors that you’ll want to consider when buying garage floor paints. Some paints will cost more than others, perform better than others or just simply more convenient than others. Here are some factors that you should know:
Cost
If you’re on a budget, latex is the way to go. But if you’re willing to spend a bit more, acrylic and epoxy are better because it will last longer and clearly the most cost-effective. We say those two are the most cost-effective because you won’t be repainting floors as often that you would with latex. But it really depends on how much you want to spend and the type of flooring you have.
Color
All garage floor paints do offer color options because sometimes you don’t want to be stuck with that traditional grey color that you see in most garages. You can get the most coloring usually with latex or acrylic paints.
Oil vs Latex
There’s always a choice between oil or latex but we’ll tell you the differences between the two.
Latex is water-based so that means it’s perfect for easy cleanup. It also means that they dry a little faster.
Oil-based needs a special primer and cleanup solvents, but they have a nice glossy look that you’re trying to achieve. They’re also more durable than Latex.
You’ll be touching up your garage floors at least every 2 years to maintain the look, no matter which you choose.
Finish
The type of finish that you use on garage floors matters because it depends on what your budget is and how long you need the durability for. You can choose from Latex, Epoxy and Acrylic.
Traction
The traction matters because you most likely want something that is anti-slip/anti-skid so you can walk on the garage floor without the fear of falling. Epoxy tends to be more slippery, but you can look for an epoxy kit that includes both anti slip/skid components so you can have more traction.
Flat or matte paint will also help provide the most traction as well. If you are opting for the higher gloss paints, the surface of course will be a bit slicker.
Application
The application is really dependent on which paint you are using. If you are looking for straightforward application and if you’re on a budget, all you have to do is power wash your garage floor with some sort of degreasing solution, then you’re ready to rock and roll (if using latex or acrylic paint)
For epoxy, it’s more extensive. You will still have to use the power washer with a degreaser solution, but you’ll also have to etch the floor with etching compound so that you can really deep clean (getting the pores open on the floor) and make any repairs to the concrete with epoxy paste. After that, you’re finally ready to apply two coats with a brush or roller, then you’ll want to finish with a clear topcoat. While this is more work, the durability will last for years, making it worth the effort.
How to paint your garage floors
Here is a small step-by-step on how to paint your garage floors. But if you want more details, you can find the full, in-depth tutorial here.
- Preparation
It’s extremely important to prepare your garage floor, no matter what type of paint you’re using. You can start off of course, by clearing out your entire garage of all the items you have. Then you can start power washing with a degreaser solution. We highly recommend using
Rust-Oleum Clean & Etch to really deep clean and get ready for etching which is next.
- Etching
If using epoxy paint, it’s important that you etch your concrete floor. What etching does, it basically opens up your floor “pores” and basically prepares the floor for the next treatment. You’ll have to mix the etching according to the instructions and it’ll be ready to be poured on that clean concrete.
We recommend letting it sit for a few minutes, then do a light scrub as the etching itself will do most of the work. You’ll want to hose down the area after scrubbing to make sure all the residue is off. You’re probably eager to start painting now, but we actually recommend waiting at least 24 hours, to make sure the floor is completely dry before you move on to the fun part.
- Paint
The fun part is finally here after you’ve made sure the floor is dry. You can now choose to either mix paint or not, that’s your personal preference. You can take your roller and start dipping in the paint and try to start painting. If you’ve painted at least 3 or 4 feet, if you want to have color flakes, now it’s the time to throw them on while the paint is still wet.
You’ll want to continue to do this until the entire room is done. After you’re done, you’ll want to wait 24 hours before applying any topcoat to make sure it looks perfect. You’ll also want to add this Rustoleum anti-skid additive so that you can have traction without the fear of falling down.
The Best Garage Floor Paints
1. KILZ L377611 1-Part Epoxy Acrylic Interior/Exterior
We are starting off with a garage floor paint that won’t break your bank because sometimes we’d like to save money while doing DIY projects. The KILZ 1 Part Epoxy pain has both types of paints which are acrylic and epoxy (which makes it hard) in a single container.
The paint comes in a 1-gallon bucket with gray being its color. It is water based so that means it will create a durable surface with a satin sheen that can handle a lot of wear and tear. What’s even better is that it will even offer protection against oils and other chemicals.
The instructions say to paint two coats so that it can have the best coverage. One of the best parts of this paint is that it dries very quickly, so that you can get along with your day. To make this even more enticing, one gallon alone will cover 400-500 feet so you may be able to do your entire garage for a low price.
Pros:
- Best Bang for your buck
- Dries quickly
- Double protection against oils and spills
Cons:
- It does peel off after a while
2. FIXALL Skid Grip Anti-Slip Paint
If you’ve been looking for an anti-slip paint, stop right here because the FIXALL Skid Grip Anti paint will solve that problem. It is acrylic textured so that means any surface that the paint is painted on, will be skid free.
Another bonus about the FIXALL paint is it’s also slip resistant so that’s an extra bonus with this paint. There are multiple colors that you can choose from (There are 6 colors you can choose from). You can use this paint on cement, wood, patio, basketball court and more.
It’s very important before using this paint, that you clean any dirt and debris before using. You’ll also want to give it some time to dry. This paint can cover 80-100 square feet on smooth surfaces and on porous surfaces, 60-80 square feet.
Pros:
- Anti-slip
- Skid free
- Multiple Colors
Cons:
- Colors are not as advertised
- Can peel off easily
3. Rust-Oleum 261845 EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating
If you’re looking for an all-in-one kit that has prep materials, you’ll want to get the Rust-Oleum’s EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating Kit. The kit includes 2-part water based epoxy coating, concentrated cleaner, decorative chips, stir sticks, a manual and even instructional videos.
With this kit, you can cover up to 700 square feet. What’s even cooler is that you can mix two parts of the formula in the paint, use a brush or roller, and you can breathe knowing that your garage floor will be protected from all kinds of chemicals and road salts.
It also has a high gloss sheen, so it can look nice as well if that matters. We will note that it does take longer to dry as it’s ready to walk on in 24 hours, and ready to have vehicles on it in 3 days.
Pros:
- Comes as a kit
- Paint protects the floor
- High gloss sheen after it dries
Cons:
- Doesn’t dry as fast
4. Rust-Oleum 286894 Rocksolid Metallic Garage Floor Coating
If you are looking for something durable and for that extra high sheen metallic look for your garage floor, you should check out the Rust Oleum’s Rock-Solid Coating.
You can choose from 6 different colors so if you’re feeling extra stylish, go for it. Basically, it is made from a blend of epoxy ingredients like polycuramine, so you know that you are working with highly durable paint.
This paint coats your floor completely, and it’s walkable within 8-10 hours. You can have your car in the garage 24 hours after you’ve painted the floor. One kit covers 125 square feet depending on what kind of floor you have, so you may only need one or multiple kits depending how big your area is.
Pros:
- High sheen metallic look
- 6 colors to choose from
- Fast drying (8-10 hours to walk on)
Cons:
- It may be temperature sensitive
5. Rust-Oleum 301242 Clean & Etch
Finally, if you’re looking for a product that cleans and etch your concrete floor, the Rust Oleum Clean & Etch will do that for you. We will note that you should prepare and clean your floor of any dirt and debris before you apply this product on.
We say this because there are some substances such as grease that won’t come off with this product (there is another cleaning products to clean oil grease) But, after all that, you can use this product up to 500 square feet and you’ll have to rinse it out 3 times to make sure all of the chemicals is out.
This cleaner is safe to use near any plants and grass as it’s environmentally friendly so don’t worry about that if you are cleaning either your garage or patio concrete floors. It is highly recommended that you use this cleaner before you start any paint job for your garage floor to make sure it’s clean and etched before painting.
Pros:
- Environmentally friendly
- Cleans & Etches up to 500 square feet
- Odor free
Cons:
- Expensive for what you get
FAQ
What is the best paint to use on a garage floor?
We strongly recommend using epoxy paint. While you do pay more, it is more durable, and less prone to chipping and peeling. We strongly recommend the Rust-Oleum EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating because it’s durable and you can still get that high-gloss-look you’re after.
Do I need to seal my garage floor before painting?
You can perform a simple test to see if your garage floor needs to be sealed or not. All you need to do is just throw water on the floor. If it lingers or not soaking in, it’s been sealed before and probably doesn’t need to be re-sealed. But if it soaks in, then yes, you’ll need to seal in your garage floor before painting.
How much does it cost to paint a 2-car garage floor?
We estimate around $500 if using epoxy paint and got all the materials. It can be cheaper if using latex or acrylic. It really depends on the square footage.
What is the best paint for exterior concrete floors?
We suggest the KILZ 1-Part Epoxy Acrylic Interior/Exterior Concrete and Garage Floor Paint as you can use it inside/outside and besides it won’t break your bank making this worth looking into.
Bottom Line
There you have it. Painting a garage floor can be a fun DIY project, giving it that updated fresh look after so many years of looking stale. But as you’ve learned, preparing the garage floor is a whole process before you get to the fun part, painting.
It may be time saving to skip over the prep work, but we stress, do not skimp on it. Nothing like painting a garage floor and you see greasy stains that’s also mixed in with the paint. You’ll deal with peeling too if you decide to skip the prep.
So that’s why we recommend, take the time to get your garage floor ready before you get down to the fun part, which is painting. If you have enjoyed reading this guide today, we’d love to see what you’ve thought in the comments below!
The post Thinking of Painting Your Garage Floor? Check This Out First appeared first on Home Decorating Trends - Homedit.
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