Greetings,
I am looking for input on what type of coating to put on my workshop floor.
I am nearing completion of the “tool palace” which includes a floor consisting of 7/8 Advantech OSB (moisture resistant and fairly stiff) over a vapor barrier and sleepers. I will sand the floor to make it a little smoother and then plan to put a coating on it, but I am not sure which one would be best.
Originally I thought epoxy, but the tech advisers for several manufacturers sternly recommended against this usage. The consistent response was that it would not adhere properly.
Any and all suggestions are welcome.
Thanks,
Joel
Replies
Myself, I'd just leave it uncoated. Less of a slippage issue. And I kinda like plane wood floors in a workshop.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Use a good penetrating oil primer, buff down the grain and then paint with an exterior oil porch paint. Get creative paint out markings or symbols at measurable increments. This helps in layout work, all sorts of building issues.
I had a large shop where I did this and used a dry erase marker to layout to scale all sorts of projects. This was for theater work so we even screwed items to the floor to aide in their construction. Think of the floor as a layout tool. If you apply a second ply layer that is easily removed then, as the floor wears you can replace parts of it.
I'd leave it unfinished too. A couple of shops I visit have put finishes on their floors. Slicker than snot and dangerous too.
I think the hesitancy on the part of the paint companies is driven by two things:
1. The Advantechs water resistance, may leave a surface that is hard to bond to.
2. The epoxies might not have enough stretch to stay adhered to the wood surface as it moves with seasonal moisture changes.
I would try emailing or calling tech support at Advantech, and see if they have a recommendation. Also, a urethane paint might be a better option than the epoxy. The two part urethanes are very resistant to abrasion, and many chemicals.
Not much help as to the best product, but for myself, I like a solid color floor. Much better to see small parts or screws that fall on it.
A wood floor in a work place should be left unfinished in my opinion also.
Thanks to all for the input. I think for now, I will leave the floor unfinished. I will be moving my tools in this coming week and only go to applying a finish if the roughness of the floor becomes a problem. 90% of my tools are on wheels, so applying a finish later should be fairly easy....just roll the tools to one side of the shop and apply finish to half of the shop at a time. By the way, the floor is quite comfortable as far as work shop floors go. My previous shop had concrete floors and my feet froze and my body hurt after spending a day working there. Other than the rough surface, I am quite pleased with the floor. --Joel
Shellac might be pretty - cheap too!
Tu stultus es
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
I'd also do shellac.. it's not a slippery floor finish, is extremely easy to repair and pretty darn tough..
the advantage over unfinished floor is the dirt and dust won't be ground into the wood.. and clean up will be easier..
In addition shellac is really fast and easy to apply you can start in the morning and be putting things in place by afternoon..
Plus it's cheap!
Berber carpet.