How to Paint a Garage Floor

Painting can revive a stained and tired garage floor with a little money and some elbow grease.
These instructions are for latex concrete floor paint. Choose a color that will reflect light, rather than
absorb, unless your aim for the floor is to pack a decorative punch.

Step 1 - Read the directions on your product. This is vital, especially concerning the surface
temperature and preparation process. If these two factors are not handled properly, the paint may not
adhere.

Step 2 - Clean the floor. Vacuum the garage floor. Remove grease with a degreaser and a stiff
brush. For very tough stains, a pressure washer may be needed.

Step 3 - Fix problem areas. When the floor is dry, repair any cracks. Use a compound made for
concrete or mortar repair, and apply according to the manufacturer's directions.

Step 4 - Etch the floor. Etching may be needed to ensure that the paint absorbs into the
concrete.  Sprinkle water on the floor. If it is absorbed quickly, then etching is probably not needed. If the water stands, you'll need to use a concrete etching product. Follow the instructions, and make sure the floor is dry before continuing.

Step 5 - Prime. Using a long-handled roller, apply a good quality primer to the entire floor. This is
a crucial step and will ensure an enduring finish.  Allow the primer to dry for at least eight hours.

Step 6 - Paint. Follow your manufacturer's directions. Some call for the first coat to be thinned
with water to allow for better absorbability and to be applied with a brush. When the first coat is
applied, allow it to dry, and then use a roller to apply the second coat. The paint will be dry to the touch within a few hours. For best results allow it to dry for 24 hours before walking and one week before driving on it.

Enjoy your new floor and the life that you have breathed into your garage.

DIY: Waterproof Your Garage Floor

With winter already here it’s important that you keep your garage safe from water damage. Cars, soggy boots, and even recently used sleds can contribute to damage. But, have no fear, here’s an easy DIY to maintain your garage floors in this wet season.

What you will need:

• Broom and dustpan
• Scrub brush and cleaning product
• Waterproof epoxy or waterproof paint

1. The first thing you’ll need to do is clear everything off the floor of your garage. Then inspect your garage for any damaged areas (cracks, holes, or seam). You’ll need to repair these before you waterproof anything.
2. Clean your garage floor. Sweep and scrub the entire thing. You don’t want any dirt caught under the waterproofing. If you have oil stains we have another blog post with an easy way to remove them yourself here: http://academyoverheaddoor.blogspot.com/2014/10/diy-removing-grease-stains-in-your.html
3. Use a waterproof epoxy or paint on your floor. Make sure to follow the given instructions on the pain or waterproof epoxy. Allow floors to dry.

DIY: Removing Grease Stains In Your Garage

Grease spots in your garage are bound to happen. Cars, motorcycles, lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc. all increase the likelihood of such areas. But, have no fear, there are ways to remove these blemishes on your concrete floors. Here’s a DIY way to remove that bothersome grease!

Things You’ll Need:

• Cat Litter
• Broom & Dustpan
• Paper Towels (or a rag that you don’t mind getting grease on)
• Powdered Laundry Detergent
• Scrub Brush
• Hot Water

Instructions:

1. Pour cat litter over the grease stain. Apply a liberal amount to soak up the grease. Repeat this step a few times to ensure that you’ve removed the largest amount of grease possible.
2. Sweep up the cat litter and remove any left over oil with your paper towels or rag.
3. Use a little water to create a paste like substance with the powdered detergent. Apply a generous amount of the paste all over the grease spot. Scrub the area thoroughly with your scrub brush.
4. Use the bucket (or whatever you may choose) of hot water to rinse the area.
5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 if necessary.

A Traditional Look. A Trendy Garage Door.

Traditional and Trendy with Academy Overhead Door.

Wood doors are out of stock but not out of style! There’s something about the traditional look of a wood garage door on the home. It’s irreplaceable. Unfortunately as Garage Doors improve, wood material has decreased in efficiency when compared to steel. A steel door’s durability and life-long-lasting feature has made quite the influence on the Garage Door Industry. Frankly, Wood isn’t used anymore.

Academy Overhead Door’s Amarr brand Garage Doors have stopped using wood altogether. The good news is, we haven’t lost that classic and traditional ‘Wood’ look either. Amarr builds it’s doors in many styles and colors that look like wood! Unless you physically pound the door with your knuckles, you can’t tell it’s steel.

Steel is efficient, yes. But that’s no excuse to keep if from being classy.

Be sure to visit our website: http://www.academyoverheaddoor.com/