Re: Setting up Shop in Dayton (aka Cholla's Retreat)
 

As mentioned in another thread, I decided to put in a professionally installed epoxy floor. I had a good experience with this in AZ, but had concerns about the tougher climate in the mid-west. Mike G. has used this process in the mid-west and AZ and recommended a company called Premier Garage. It ain't cheap, but overall met my requirements for how I would be using my shop.

Right off the bat, a problem showed up. When the slab was created in 2003, my flooring guys said it appears the original concrete guys got behind the power curve and the concrete was setting up too fast for them to keep up with it so, it looks like they added significant amounts of water so that the cement rose to the top so that they could smooth it sufficiently. Well this creates a weak top layer and as soon as my guys started to diamond grind it, the top surface began to crumble. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/crazy.gif[/img] So, plan B was to do a deep coarse grind to get down to the strong concrete level (about 1/8&quot;).

Here is the initial diamond surface grind (note store bought gray epoxy paint applied a few years ago by previous owner) and the crumbly aftermath....

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...199-image1.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...200-image2.jpg

And then, the results of the deep, coarse grind. This provides a good foundation for an epoxy slurry that will even out the imperfections (This is being done later today)....

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...201-image4.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...202-image5.jpg

Re: Setting up Shop in Dayton (aka Cholla's Retreat)
 

Here is a way to even the odds with the higher moisture content in concrete in the mid-west vs. the dry southwest. This is a moisture barrier. It really penetrates down into the relatively porous concrete and creates a strong barrier. Theoretically if your concrete has a measurement of 4% moisture or greater you should use this. My concrete was right around 4% and I opted to use it to hedge my bets. This went down yesterday and today the epoxy slurry goes on top to even out the coarse floor surface....

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...03-image10.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...204-image8.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...205-image9.jpg

Re: Setting up Shop in Dayton (aka Cholla's Retreat)
 

Very nice....as usual Mike G. has great advice. I love garage builds.....please keep the progress pics coming.

Is your '69 Chevelle going to live in this beautiful garage?

Dan

Re: Setting up Shop in Dayton (aka Cholla's Retreat)
 

Here is the epoxy slurry mentioned earlier. This is to fill in and level the rough surfaces caused by the deep grinding required of the less than optimal surface of my floor. Tomorrow should be the epoxy paint (medium gray) and the clear coat. I am hoping to not use flakes as I want the vintage look to the floor. We'll see....

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3210-image.jpg

Re: Setting up Shop in Dayton (aka Cholla's Retreat)
 

Check out that reflection.. Sweet...

Re: Setting up Shop in Dayton (aka Cholla's Retreat)
 

The fellows finsihed up this afternoon and I really like it. The surface that they started with was a big challenge but they were able to get down to a stable surface of the concrete for the epoxy to adhere to. They placed saw cuts to divide the four sections up.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3364-image.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3365-image.jpg

Re: Setting up Shop in Dayton (aka Cholla's Retreat)
 

Looks good Sam!

Re: Setting up Shop in Dayton (aka Cholla's Retreat)
 

Very nice [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Dan

Re: Setting up Shop in Dayton (aka Cholla's Retreat)
 

Time to start putting stuff (back) up, warts and all. The Western Electric is from the 30s. I fabbed up a couple of vintage looking dry cells with hidden alkaline batteries to power the phone. Note the &quot;Weatherhead&quot; note pad. This was from my Grandfather's auto parts store - it is dated 1938....

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3445-image.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3440-image.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3441-image.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3442-image.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3444-image.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3443-image.jpg

Re: Setting up Shop in Dayton (aka Cholla's Retreat)
 

The lower portion of the wall pictured above will get this treatment....

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3446-image.jpg