Quantcast
Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Need a little info on my up coming building upgrade. Half of my shop floors are all concrete that has been on the ground since the late 50's, The other half has been down 15 years, as you could imagine it is very stained. Have any of you guys redone any of your floors with a epoxy paint. I would also take any suggestion's of not what to do. I am trying to upgrade our image . Our survey really indicate that it a issue that some customers are aware off. I know it is a repair shop, although this new age shopper like clean organized shops. It is just time to do all this. I am open to all suggestions. I think I am going to put wood in my waiting room and sales counter area. Just looking for any ideas. Thanks guys



Posted

When we expanded into the entire building 4 years ago, we put epoxy down in the retail sales area. The building is very old (no one knows how old) and was previously used by the city street department for truck maintenance. Here are the notes from our experience.

 

1. Yes it is worth it. We used "Epoxy Coat" http://www.epoxy-coat.com

2. Prep is the most important step. The floors were really oily, and diesel spills. We bought muriatic acid to clean the floor from Ace hardware by the gallon.

3. Follow the instructions exactly. It took 2 people and we did little section at a time. Worked great.

4. Take your time and expect long hours when you do it. (We did it over Easter weekend, 4 hour sleep each night.)

5. Don't cheap out. Put it on thick and get the sealer if available. The areas where it is thick look the best and we did not get the sealer. There is discoloration from dirty mop water from not sealing it.

 

We will do each room in the shop over time; we have just under 8000 sq feet.

Posted (edited)

Legacy industrial coatings is probably your best bet, and they'll likely suggest an oil block product. It will be expensive, but yes it's worth it. I used a sherwin williams product on top of rustoleum epoxy. Rexthane is what's typically what's used in extreme environments and man is it some tough (and expensive ) stuff. Ours has taken extreme temps, chemicals, drops, drags and every kind of abuse you could imagine and no issues yet. Wipe the oil right up!

http://www.legacyindustrial.net

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Edited by ncautoshop
Posted

I have done both Home Depot brand and paid a pro. The HD brand held up admirably for 2 years then started to peel pretty good. I got a pro for my current floor. First was grind the concrete. This takes the place of the etching that the box stores recommend. Then it was vapor seal. Then epoxy. Then granite chips/flake. Then 2 more coats of epoxy then 3 coats of clear. It is over 50 mils thick. I can soak it in gasoline then drop a transmission on it and it doesn't budge, chip or stain.

 

All that said it cost me over 10,000 for 4000 sf.

 

Sorry, I looked for a pic on my phone but no luck.

 

It's worth paying for

Posted

I have done both Home Depot brand and paid a pro. The HD brand held up admirably for 2 years then started to peel pretty good. I got a pro for my current floor. First was grind the concrete. This takes the place of the etching that the box stores recommend. Then it was vapor seal. Then epoxy. Then granite chips/flake. Then 2 more coats of epoxy then 3 coats of clear. It is over 50 mils thick. I can soak it in gasoline then drop a transmission on it and it doesn't budge, chip or stain.

 

All that said it cost me over 10,000 for 4000 sf.

 

Sorry, I looked for a pic on my phone but no luck.

 

It's worth paying for

 

Agreed on all.

 

I did ours myself. 6600sf. Cost roughly $10k in materials alone.

 

Shop was built in 1940 and had been bare concrete ever since. I cleaned it with the following:

- Orange citrus cleaner, industrial strength

- Power washing

- Organic bacteria that eat oil

- Power washing again

- Power washing again

- Muriatic acid

- Power washing again

This worked good in 90% of the shop. No peeling or chipping after 13 months, except in one area where the grime would simply not come up.

 

I would probably have someone else do it after the hassle we went through. Grinding is probably the only real good option on an old floor.

Posted

Right now, we are putting up a 14,000 sq. ft. building with 11,000 of shop area. After looking around and was seriously looking at polyurea at about $11 sq ft., I was refered to these folks in the Houston area

and decided to use their process. They have done lots of floors around us. Best of all 85 cents per sq ft. Could be available elsewhere in the U.S.

 

http://www.concretecleaninginc.com/

 

This should happen in about 3 weeks.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Available Subscriptions

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
  • Similar Topics

    • By carmcapriotto
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech
      NAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to napaautotech.com for more details.
      Contact Information
      Email Matt: [email protected] Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel
      Key Highlights:
      Matt reflects on the idea of self-awareness and balance, emphasizing that "everything comes from you" and that we are all part of a larger matrix of experiences and growth.
      Vision Conference Recap:
      Matt shares his experience at the Vision Conference, where he faced a challenging drive through a snowstorm and crosswinds to get there. He highlights the hands-on training sessions he participated in, including: Key Cutting and Programming Class: Co-taught with Andrew Sexton, where attendees got to physically cut keys and program them using a Honda ignition system. Pico Training: A full day of hands-on training with Scott Shotton, focusing on practical, car-side diagnostics. Tech Talks: Featuring Garrett Jacobson (HP Tuners) and Zeb Beard (Thermal Imaging), both of whom delivered high-energy, informative sessions.
      Key Takeaways from Vision:
      HP Tuners: Matt learned new functionalities of the tool, even after using it for over five years. Garrett Jacobson’s class demonstrated how intuitive and powerful the tool can be for diagnostics. Thermal Imaging: Zeb Beard emphasized the importance of using thermal imagers regularly, even when it doesn’t seem immediately necessary. His session focused on diesel diagnostics but applied to all vehicles.
      Personal Reflections and Connections:
      Matt shares heartfelt moments from the conference, including dinners with industry friends like Dan Baumgartner, Matt Hall, Kevin Looney, and others. They reminisced about Harvey Chan, a beloved figure in the industry who passed away too soon, and the impact he had on everyone. Matt reflects on the duality of emotions—being sad about losing someone but happy to share stories and memories.
      Behind-the-Scenes Stories:
      Matt dives into the importance of understanding the "behind-the-scenes" of how things are created, whether it’s a business, a movie scene, or even a professional wrestling match. He shares an iconic wrestling story about Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret Hart, highlighting how collaboration and trust led to one of the most memorable moments in wrestling history.
      Themes of Authenticity and Sharing Knowledge:
      Matt discusses the tendency in the industry to want to feel "special" or to exaggerate success stories. He emphasizes the importance of being honest about how things are achieved, whether it’s diagnosing a tough problem or building a successful shop. He encourages technicians and shop owners to share their real stories, even if they involve luck or being in the right place at the right time.
      Filling Your Own Bucket:
      Matt reflects on the need for self-validation and filling your own "bucket" rather than constantly seeking external validation. He stresses the importance of being honest with yourself and others, giving credit where it’s due, and taking pride in your work without exaggeration.
      Key Quotes:
      "Set the freaking thermal imager on your diagnostic cart and start using it, even when you don’t know why." "At some point, you’re going to have to fill your own cup. You’re going to have to be content with yourself." "The real stories, if somebody could tell them, didn’t take away from the magic. It’s the art, the craftsmanship, the creativity that’s magical."
      The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
      The Aftermarket Radio Network
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By nptrb

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By Changing The Industry
      Two Shop Owners React: PartsTech's Industry Survey for 2025
    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By nptrb

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.



  • Our Sponsors

×
×
  • Create New...