Shop Improvements Cancel The title field is required!

1. Stephen Tucker

   

   0 posts
   
   11/8/2013 5:11 PM

   Well I just finished our shop walls and floor improvements today and figured I would share the outcome.
   
   Here is my blog post with more pitcures: http://www.stephentucker.net/daily-grin ... new-image/

   
   
   
   
2. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   11/10/2013 10:11 PM

   Two lifts? Heck we can't even get one, I better not share or our part-time guy will be on your door step by the middle of the week.
   
   Congrats!
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
3. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   11/11/2013 5:11 AM

   Very nice Stephen.
   
   What kind of paint and sealer did you use? What were the steps you went through in cleaning the existing floor prior to applying?
   
   We repainted our floor roughly two years ago with an epoxy on top of an existing epoxy that was epoxy that was installed when the building was new, and this go 'round, sealed it with a floor sealer. It hasn't held up as long as I would have liked, and I am considering doing it again this coming spring once temps warm up. I'm looking for something better, but I am afraid now that I have sealer on the floor, I will have to somehow sand the surface to get good contact. Thoughts?

   
   
   
   
4. Stephen Tucker

   

   0 posts
   
   11/11/2013 6:11 AM

   lol Melvin we have (2) golf courses and I have 3 guys in the shop so the other lift helps us stay productive with the fleet size that we have.
   
   Andy - We had paint down here as well and it was contracted out. I brought out the local Sherwin Williams guys and had them take a look. The feeling was that the old floor paint was sticking well in most areas and there was no need to get all the old stuff up. So I rented a floor buffer with sand paper pads and scratched up the existing paint so the new paint would stick to it. The only trouble areas I see is there are a few spots that chipped up and over time I can imagine those areas are going to do the same thing again. So we can address those as they come. The paint is Sherwin William Armour Seal HS. It gives a very glossy finish and makes cleaning up oil and such very easy. I have to say this is the first time I have used it the old paint I used is no longer made but this looks fairly similar.
   
   As with anytime you paint the floor it is all in the prep. If you paint is pealing up I would try and get all the old stuff up before doing it again. It is a pain but will keep you from doing it over and over again.

   
   
   
   
5. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   11/11/2013 8:11 AM

   Awesome Stephen. Thanks for the info. We followed similar steps when doing our cart barn floor last fall and so far so good. It was a product Sherwin Williams had that was specifically meant for pre-stained concrete floors. I think I will ask them out once more when we get ready to do the shop to see what they have for our conditions.
   
   BTW....when we painted the cart barn floor, we used a black product. At first I was unsure of how dark it would make it. But, now that it's been down for about a year, it's amazing how good it looks. Hides dirt tremendously and still looks new. Considering changing colors to try to get away from the normal "Grey" products everyone uses.

   
   
   
   
6. Stephen Tucker

   

   0 posts
   
   11/11/2013 8:11 AM

   Andy,
   Thats why I went with the colors I did wanted to be a little different. Everyone thinks it looks like a gym. In regards to black I think that is great for a cart barn I would probably not put that in the work area just because I want to find parts when I drop them on the floor not sure how easy it would be.

   
   
   
   
7. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   11/11/2013 10:11 AM

   Andy, I have used that product three already and its the best I've used after doing seven facilities. If your going over paint you will need to mix a little up a do a test plot to make sure it sticks and doesn't cause any lifting. Grinding or blasting the floor is always best, and it sticks well to concrete. You will want to soak the roller really well and push it out in puddle form and it will help fill cracks and voids. As in any floor coating they will chip and crack over time, but with the money we spend on our floor I really protect them by using mats for everything. This help us look good all the time. I did Belfairs floors over a year ago and they look as good as the day we did them. I also have a course near by that will be doing theirs with the same paint. You will need to contact SW's industrial department, the regular paint department has no clue when you mention this product. Regards,

   
   
   
   
8. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   11/11/2013 11:11 AM

   Oh, and on the black I agree, at my former shop in KCC we did our lift area black and it looked really good. I didnt seem to have a problem finding parts when we dropped them:) We are doing our three lift areas in black this friday.

   
   
   
   
9. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   11/11/2013 2:11 PM

   Thanks Henry and Stephen.
   
   I didn't even think about not being able to quickly find lost parts. I guess I wouldn't think about that not being the one to turn wrenches. But I can see where it could be a problem.
   
   Henry - get Tyler to help out. I hear he loves to paint....and ask him about his go-cart engine as well. It's probably still in the box in his closest. If he hasn't asked for your help already, don't worry. He will.

   
   
   
   
10. Henry Heinz

    

    0 posts
    
    11/12/2013 6:11 AM

    Andy, I'll be on him today about that;) On the black, its personal preference and for me I like it. I didn't seem to have and real issues finding parts in that area, but each person has a look they like. In any case the Armorseal HS Polyurethane Floor Enamel is the best. IMOP part A B65-220 part B B65v220 This is the haze gray that we used and is very shiny. Regards,

    
    
    
    
11. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    11/12/2013 7:11 AM

    We went with the Rustolium brand garage floor paint and it has served us pretty well for the last 3 plus seasons. We went with the tan color. We do have some areas that are starting to chip but it's not too bad yet. We still get compliments from other park areas, so we must have one of the best floors in the department. I will say the prep is the most important part, some of the other facilities didn't spend the time on preping and they have not had the same results we have had.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
12. Larry Allan

    

    0 posts
    
    11/12/2013 11:11 AM

    My shop floor is the color and texture of natural concrete. Other than appearance, what are the said benefits. They look slippery to me. I have a dirt parking lot and can't possibly see any benefit in particular. My members would wonder why I was spending money on paint and not on the course.

    
    
    
    
13. Stephen Tucker

    

    0 posts
    
    11/12/2013 12:11 PM

    Larry,
    Thanks for the comments. While I would say everyone does this type of thing for similar reasons I can only share my thoughts on it and what I have seen and heard from others. Here are my thoughts on the benefits:
    
    1. Professional image - I work at the Four Seasons a luxury brand. In my mind no one should be embarrased to tour any part of our property or it's facilities. Our members and guests have high expectations and that translates to our staff. We can't sale it if we are not willing to practice it.
    
    2. Crew Moral - We spend countless hours asking our staff to clean up after themselves, respect the equipment, adhere to training, put things back where they go. Being clean and organized goes a long way to not just telling them but having them follow through with what we are asking them to do.
    
    3. Recruiting - Our property looks for interns every year and at the same time when we are in need of filling positions we also feel the need to sale ourselves in a sense. We want people to be excited to come and work here and a coat of paint goes a long way to establishing that feeling after they leave the interview. If our facility was a mess it makes that job a lot tougher.
    
    4. Improved Performance - Believe it or not I have found that by having a clean and organized shop our technicians provide a much better/consistent product. Which in the end translates adds to the customer experience.
    
    All the things I have listed are mainly about our staff/employees the companies most important resource. If they are happy it translates into a better product for our members and guests.

    
    
    
    
14. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    11/12/2013 1:11 PM

    Larry Allan said: My shop floor is the color and texture of natural concrete. Other than appearance, what are the said benefits. They look slippery to me. I have a dirt parking lot and can't possibly see any benefit in particular. My members would wonder why I was spending money on paint and not on the course.

    
    
    I know Stephen made some important points, valid for whatever your organization.
    
    But I see where you're coming from Red. This is a project that doesn't always have a direct benefit to the customers. I can't say it has helped us in recruitment or getting some to clean up after themselves, (although that is my fault probably in the hiring process). It does help identify leaks quicker, so maybe right there is your cost benefit? Just imagine the cost of lost revenue with a hydraulic leak that is repaired before damaging the turf, (for those not following Hector's inspection techniques).
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
15. Larry Allan

    

    0 posts
    
    11/12/2013 2:11 PM

    Thanks
    I would love to have a shop that looks like that or Shuffs new place. The reality for me is that every piece of equipment that comes through the doors came from the wash station across a dirt parking lot, into the shop. I would need a full timer to sweep to come anywhere close to those photos...and still not come close. The clubhouse gets it's carpet and paint done every 5 years for all the reasons mentioned but if I personally have to make the choice between having a sweeper or an office assistant etc, my pride wants to see them cutting grass and prepping the course. I guess we are still looked at as "those guys at the barn"
    If I want to keep my job, then the boots and product we can afford, have to be out on the course

    
    
    
    
16. Henry Heinz

    

    0 posts
    
    11/13/2013 6:11 AM

    This product Stephen used meets ASTM , and passes wet / dry without sharkgrip additive. With work boots I have never had a problem with the floor being slippery, and some of my guys wear tennis shoes without issues, but people not wearing the proper footwear seem to slip a little. One reason we do not allow crew or unauthorized personnel in our work areas. Mel, was in a seminar we did in Kansas a number of years back and has seen some of the floors I have done, and the Rust-o-lium product was one we mentioned during that presentation. There are a number of products you can use that are far less expensive, its just going to take time and some effort to protect it. There is a two-part expoxy paint at Sw, called Aquapond for like 66 bucks a kit and will do like 300 to 400 sq ft depending on how much the floor sucks up, and how thick you put it down. I used it for years in Michigan and it still looks great and is an easy product to recoat. So if your interested in having a good looking floor you can shop for products and find something that will fit your budget. Depending on the product, you may have to recoat a little sooner than others. I fully ehco Stephens comments, and have been doing this for 30 years, and have setup seven shops to look this way, and it does make an impact on the crew. The big thing is, it takes commitment afterwards to keep it this way. If you have any questions on floor paints feel free to contact me as I've used at least 4 or 5 different products over the years.
    
    Regards,

    
    
    
    
17. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    11/13/2013 8:11 AM

    "There is a two-part expoxy paint at Sw, called Aquapond for like 66 bucks a kit and will do like 300 to 400 sq ft depending on how much the floor sucks up, and how thick you put it down."
    
    Henry,
    I like that idea when we need to redo the floors again. Have you tried it over another kit?
    
    What seems to be the best process on prepping an already painted and epoxied floor? I like the idea of maybe doing 300 to 400 sq. ft. sections when the time comes.
    
    Thanks!
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
18. Stephen Tucker

    

    0 posts
    
    11/13/2013 9:11 AM

    Melvin,
    I rented a buffer with sanding pads and "scuffed" up the old paint. Seems to be sticking really well. Also cleaned it really good. Just make sure there is no moisture when putting it down that the floor is completely dry.

    
    
    
    
19. Henry Heinz

    

    0 posts
    
    11/13/2013 4:11 PM

    Mel, pretty much what Stephen said is what I would do. Also, mix up a little and do a small area to make sure it sticks and is compatible with the paint you're go over. Some products may cause the paint underneath to lift, and we don't want that to happen:) Pretty sure the above product I mentioned was 66 bucks a kit or per gallon but still one of the best for the price.
    
    Regards,

    
    
    
    
20. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    11/13/2013 4:11 PM

    Henry Heinz said: Mel, pretty much what Stephen said is what I would do. Also, mix up a little and do a small area to make sure it sticks and is compatible with the paint you're go over. Some products may cause the paint underneath to lift, and we don't want that to happen:) Pretty sure the above product I mentioned was 66 bucks a kit or per gallon but still one of the best for the price.
    
    Regards,

    
    
    Thanks, that is in the same ballpark as the Rust-o-liuem, the coverage might be a little less, so cost per acre of floor might be a little higher but not much.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
21. Kenneth Meals

    

    2 posts
    
    11/14/2013 11:11 AM

    Also this time of year if your in a cold area, turn up the heat several days before hand to warm the concrete. Use a no contact thermometer, to take measurement of the floor. The outside edges will take a while to heat up, when we did ours they suggested the floor to be at 70 degrees minimum.

    
    
    
    
22. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    12/12/2013 6:12 PM

    Very well done, man. Very well done.
    
    Steve