Armorpoxy
Armorclad epoxy floor finishMy garage floor is relatively new at about 7 years old, but cracks have begun to form, winter salt drippings have begun to pit in places, and there's evidence of many past car projects marring the concrete surface. I decided that it was time to look into a way to stop or reverse these processes. After looking at the full spectrum of floor protection systems, from extra-large mats and small tiles to various floor surface paints and epoxies, I concluded that a do-it-yourself, industrial-quality epoxy surface was the most practical solution, the main reasons being 1) durability and longevity, 2) high-quality appearance, 3) ease of maintenance, and 4) a relatively low price point.
Not all DIY floor epoxy kits are created equal. My research found that the typical "home center" stuff is not good enough, as it only contains 30 percent epoxy solids, and to do the job properly you need an industrial strength kit with full 100 percent epoxy solids. Armorpoxy in New Jersey has been manufacturing 100 percent epoxy DIY kits for more than 20 years. You can choose among several different colors and decorative finishing fleck combinations as well as various areal coverage sizes and optional top coats, and these Armorclad kits can be shipped anywhere in North America. I chose a gray basecoat with black, white, and blue flecks, and an anti-slip acrylic top coat, costing about $440 (plus shipping) for coverage of a typical two-car garage (about 600 square feet).
Each Armorclad kit comes with complete instructions and everything to complete the job properly. One must take special care to perform the first and most crucial step of the application process, surface preparation, to ensure optimum epoxy bonding to the concrete. The surface must be free of debris, dirt, dust, salt, oil, sealers, and loose paint. If your floor is older, it can appear almost polished as impurities and chemicals from tires become trapped in the porous surface. If this is the case, it's advisable to sand local areas with an electric sander/buffer using a medium abrasive pad to create a rougher surface on which to apply the Armorclad. I also highly recommend using a powerwasher to initially rinse the surface, then scrub the surface with all-purpose cleaner and follow with a very thorough rinse. Use a clean broom or squeegee to reduce standing water. Next it's time for a final clean and degrease using the supplied Armorclad Etch solution. Mix as directed, mop onto the surface, and allow it to soak for about 15 minutes. There will be some slight foaming and fizzing while the mild acid etches the concrete, creating a microscopic roughness that will improve bonding. Rinse the entire area with lots of fresh water (again by powerwasher), broom or squeegee any standing water, and let dry overnight.
Armorclad is a two-component, 100 percent solids-type epoxy resin. Therefore, it requires the thorough mixing of the Part A and Part B components in a 2:1 ratio for the material to properly harden. Apply the mixed material to the floor by pouring a small bead onto the surface, then spread with either a squeegee or roller on an extension pole or broom handle. I found that the roller was the most effective method for quickly creating a smooth and even finish. You'll need to work rather quickly because once the material is mixed you've got about 45 minutes before it begins to set. Using a paintbrush for the tight parts and masking off edges beforehand will save time. Also, mixing half the product for a start will give you double the work time. If you wish to use the decorative flakes, apply the Armorclad basecoat evenly with complete coverage to an area in 3-foot strips. This will allow you to easily reach across the strip to disperse flakes by hand. Once the entire area is complete, the epoxy base coat must be allowed to cure overnight.
The topcoat is a clear urethane acrylic glaze that provides additional protection to the epoxy base and can be applied the following day. It goes on milky (drying clear) in about a quarter of the time it takes for the basecoat. I recommend using the anti-slip silica aggregate additive, which is stirred in and suspended in the glaze prior to application. This works remarkably well to provide grip under foot when the surface is wet, although it does tone down the stunning glossy finish ever so slightly.
The new Armorclad surface should cure for another two days before opening to foot traffic, and a full seven days for cars. Every car guy or gal should have an Armorclad epoxy surface in the garage. It's truly a beautiful thing.
-Doug Neilson
Armorpoxy
888.755.7361
www.armorcladepoxy.com
Wheel Of The Month
HRE now offers its signature quality and good looks in a one-piece design. The new Monoblok series includes application-specific, TV-certified designs for BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Range Rover, and Bentley. Each Monoblok wheel is crafted from 100 percent forged 6061-T6 aluminum for structural integrity and minimized unsprung mass and rotational inertia. Pictured is the P40 for Porsche, available in 19- and 20-inch sizes for 911, Boxster, and Cayman. It is a direct bolt-on application that accepts factory Porsche caps and lugs and interfaces with existing factory TPMS. Available finishes include brushed, painted silver, and gloss black. Contact for pricing.
HRE Wheels
760.597.2099
www.hrewheels.com
BMP Design's "smart" shift knob incorporates a clearly visible LED display that indicates the selected gear on the knob's top in any one of four colors. The company claims a simple installation involving only one set screw and two wires. The knob can learn any shift pattern once you simply row it through the gears and fits most vehicles with shift lever diameters of 10 to 14mm. Available in three finishes: titanium, white, or black.
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BMP Design
888.755.7361
www.bmpdesign.com
Combining the benefits of integrated Stack display systems with the latest data-logging technology, the Multi-Function Recorder (MFR) consists of a single multi-function module containing pre-installed hardware to provide a wide variety of data acquisition functions. It comes with 14 standard inputs, enough to handle most drivetrain and driver input data streams, with optional system upgrades including Wifi download capability, telemetry via radio or GSM cellular modems, GPS compatibility, ECU CANbus compatibility, and additional input modules. Users with existing Stack integrated display instruments can easily add an MFR to their system and maintain their current display and sensor configurations. From $1,599
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888.867.5183
www.stackinc.com