New shop

[big gear head]

I took a week vacation this week to try to get the floor finished. I used Sikaflex 1A to fill the saw cuts in the floor. This is supposed to be chemical resistant and safe for gasoline and oil. I filled the cracks about 2 weeks ago. I spent a lot of time searching for a sealer that would be safe with gasoline and wouldn't chip or peel when using steel jack stands and steel wheels on a jack. I got a quote from Icon to seal the floor. The quote was for $18,000, which shocked me! I ended up buying ArmorPoxy Balistix SC sealer and I'm doing it myself. The kit from ArmorPoxy was $3000 and is safe with gasoline and brake cleaner. It also won't chip or peel. I started cleaning the floor Monday. Tuesday I rented a floor buffer and tried scuffing the concrete. That didn't work out too well, so Wednesday I used muriatic acid to etch the floor. I didn't get to work on it yesterday because it has to completely dry. Today I hope to get the primer on the floor and maybe tomorrow I can get the sealer on it. The floor has been a huge challenge, but I want to get it right. I was never happy with the floor in my old shop. I'm trying to get the floor done this week because I'm going to be down for about 2 months. I've got to get my left shoulder repaired and that's going to put a stop to all work until that is healed.

When the floor is finished I have to run the wires for the lights. I'm planning on using 8 foot LED lights. Once the wires are run I have to get the ceiling put up and install the lights. Then hopefully things will go a little quicker.