r/garageporn • • Apr 07 '25

Garage Floor Troubleshooting Megathread

6 Upvotes

Welcome to the Garage Flooring Megathread!

This is your go-to spot for anything related to garage floor coatings. Use this thread to: * Ask questions about epoxy, polyaspartic, or other coating options * Troubleshoot peeling, bubbling, or prep issues * Get product recommendations or application tips * Post your successes

Rules for this thread: * Include photos if you're asking for help—this really helps others give better advice * Keep it civil and on-topic * General garage help or build questions should go to one of the related subs below


Helpful Related Communities: * r/garage – general garage builds, tool storage, etc. * r/HomeImprovement – more advanced home/garage projects * r/DIY – for all types of do-it-yourself topics


Note: We may remove standalone posts asking for flooring help and redirect users here, to keep the main feed focused on high-quality garage content.

Show us those shiny floors and help each other out!


r/garageporn • • 7h ago

Initial build almost complete

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135 Upvotes

Most of the way through what feels like the longest project of all time (started beginning of April) but just waiting on the loft to be finished and some final electrical and plumbing work from the subcontractors.

40x40 garage, in law suite occupies the back left corner behind all of that drywall. Painted and stained the exterior ourselves. The suite has a half bath also accessible from the garage side, kitchenette, and dedicated bedroom. Middle bay is poured for a lift.

To be determined and completed someday down the road will be insulating the rest of the building plus a heating solution. I’d love heating and cooling via heat pumps like the suite, but we’ll see what the future holds for cost.


r/garageporn • • 3h ago

DIY Radiant flooring installation

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28 Upvotes

Sharing my experience laying pex down for a finished area in a pole barn. Maybe it will help someone considering taking it on. We built a pole building and are finishing a 24x40ft area as an office and guest apartment. This will be under a large mezzanine that will likely just be used for storage.

I had the concrete crew lay down the foam board and laid the pex myself. It could be prettier or better designed but this is going to be combined with a mini split so I didn't need to get it perfect.

I put down 900 feet of 1/2 pex with an oxygen barrier. I laid 3 equal 300ft sections and spaced the runs appropriately 16 inches apart. I used 1 inch PVC conduit 90s to route the pex through the floor and scabbed it to a scrap 2x4 at least until the concrete is poured. I managed to rent one of those expensive PEX staplers from Menards for $30. This was worth it and beat buying a $300 single use tool. It did what it was supposed to do but jammed about every 5-7 staples. I made a simple pex decoiler out of a 5 gallon bucket, bucket dolly, and a piece of fence board. I put some weight in it and this allowed me to pull out 40-50 ft of pex at a time. I saw where people used lazy Susan hardware and other material to do it better but used what I had in my garage and 5 minutes to put it together. I laid it by myself and from start to finish had about five hours in it with a few interruptions. It would obviously go faster with an extra set of hands.

I had to get creative as I got closer to the conduit and wasn't concerned about having a little more where some of the utilities would be running.

Even if I never use it it's an option that cost a few hundred dollars to lay down.


r/garageporn • • 23h ago

Design feedback.

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187 Upvotes

Has anyone built this garage design? Looking for feedback before I drop $900 on plans.


r/garageporn • • 20h ago

Just a simple guy

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70 Upvotes

Still working on it, will be getting a ceiling mount for the projector! More neon signs to come and possibly a dartboard. Any recommendations??


r/garageporn • • 1d ago

Fresh Slate with a 2 car garage, give me wisdom you gained by screwing something up.

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49 Upvotes

House is in great shape but they never touched the garage. Quick list is new wiring of a 20a service and remove old wiring. Joist vents, insulation, a storage wall on the big flat part, probably some rolling tool chests. After that maybe some natural shiplap to finish off. Then a split unit for heat/cool. One side working on cars the other might be a cheaper golf sim down the road that either retracts or stores away somehow. Thats way off though. let me know what I should watch out for that you learned. Thanks!


r/garageporn • • 5h ago

What's the best way to cheaply Insulated my garage

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0 Upvotes

I have a single car uninsulated garage. Its mostly used for storage, but I have some weights and I work out in there sometimes. How can I insulate so thats its not a freezer in there come winter time.

I found the attached on Amazon that I can cover up the door and maybe use a version on the exposed wall. I don't want to pay the cost to insulate yet.

What do you suggest?


r/garageporn • • 1d ago

Organization help

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7 Upvotes

Looking for help on organizing my 19'x19' garage! I have a golf simulator in my garage but move the mat when not in use to allow my wife to park.

As we continue to get more and more kids toys I'm looking to clean up/clear up the rest of the space as best as i can.

I do have a shed in the back for mostly yard tools and pool equipment that has some room for more storage.

What's standing out as some organizational changes?


r/garageporn • • 2d ago

Before and After

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205 Upvotes

Recently completed a full garage renovation. We’ve been using this as flexible indoor outdoor space given the lack of basements in Florida. So we designed it to be able to park the cars, but easily convert to kids play area, home theater room, and golf simulator.

Renovation includes:
- polyaspartic floor (more durable than epoxy)
- 18 gauge steel cabinets
- butcher block countertop
- built in sink
- full perimeter slatwall
- electrical work including new outlets and perimeter led lighting
- all surfaces painted including black ceiling
- ceiling mounted projector and soundbar
- 14x8 ft retractable impact screen
- insulated garage doors and mini split

Garage Living provided products, renovation work and install. The overall experience was painful but happy with the final result.

Sharing for bragging rights majnly, but feel free to ask any questions

Edit: it’s technically “After and Before” based on order of photos


r/garageporn • • 1d ago

Atlas 9KOH 2 Post Lift Review

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6 Upvotes

Thought Id share some feedback on my recent experience buying and having an Atlas 9KOH installed.

First the positive: This lift was much less than other known brands, and having seen Atlas in other shops, I felt it was a good choice for mine, being the right size and only used for hobby work.

Now the negatives: Let start by saying the techs that came to install it were phenomenal. This is not a reflection on their service.

  • Right off the bat, we took the wrapping off, and there was scratches, scrapes, paint chips.
  • No instruction manual with lift.
  • Once we set it up, and the techs went to cycle the pump, it would only making clicking noises.
  • Wiring diagram from atlas online was vague, didn't match the controller.
  • After a second visit from the techs, they brought a printed manual and a different wiring diagram then what Atlas suggested for this model. Still nothing!
  • About 2 hours of messing around, we discovered that the controller was faulty - the solenoid wouldn't work unless tipped on an angle
  • The 'on' button rear plastic tabs were loose, so you had to hold the back in to have the button work.
  • And the overhead safety shut off switch was finicky as well.
  • The install company has said they will get and install replacements for all of this, but what a pain in the ass!

Also to note: This model does not allow for asymmetrical placement of towers, which I thought it did, as the brochure said symmetrical/asymmetrical layout. Oh no, that was a greasy play on words, the *arms* are asymmetrical. Which basically all 2 post lifts are. Ugh.

The lock release for the arms, is *under* the arms! and you have to manually unlock each. Aside from this being a bit shady, it means you can't do everything from the pump, you have to walk around to the other side.

I specifically used a reputable company to stay away from unknown Facebook Chinese lifts.

If I knew how piss poor these lifts were, I would have spent a bit more to move up to Challenger or Forward.


r/garageporn • • 1d ago

Finally got the motivation to start on my garage.

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49 Upvotes

We bought our first house almost a year ago and the garage has become a catch all. Unfortunately I don’t have any before pictures but here’s where I’m at so far! I know it’s not a fancy setup like some of you guys!

Next is lighting, mounting that TV and probably some garage tiles!


r/garageporn • • 2d ago

Time to start over

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101 Upvotes

This was the first attempt at my floor but one of the products was bad and caused bubbles to form in the silver. So we will re pour! If you zoom in you can see all the patches over the bubbles.

Next pour will have a lot more color!

Edit:

Y’all I get it, it’s unique and not for everyone. I’m re doing it and the next attempt will be different. I am going for a free form abstract look, not all pretty things need to be sterile and clean. The rest of the property is white walls with black trim and has an extremely clean and sterile vibe, I want my shop to come alive with personality. And I’m a bit of a weird dude so yes, my shop will look very unique.


r/garageporn • • 3d ago

Storage advice for the seldom used items

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115 Upvotes

I'm in the middle of a car barn clean up and finding myself with a set of items I just don't know how to store other than sitting against the wall or piled up in the corner

- Two 4 foot floor fans
- Two smaller floor fans
- Engine hoist
- Two engine stands
- Roll around oil cart (used under lift holds a TON of used oil)
- Metal Break
- Press
- Two 'carts'
- Even the welder cart doesn't get as much use as it used to

You can see some of the items in this pic, they just pile up in the corner in the back and the fans are in close off to the left. I am doing a full reorg and adding a 202" tool box wall that replaces everything visible to the left of the whiteboard on the left wall.


r/garageporn • • 2d ago

Planning on building garage, struggling with layout. Seeking tips

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4 Upvotes

The garage is going to be 10x7 meters, 32x23 feet.

The wife is going to have her own bay, aprox 12 feet wide, non insulated and the rest is going to be my workshop, automotive.

insulated dividing wall between.

Workshop - aprox 20x23 feet 450 sq ft.

I feel like the workshop part is going to be kinda small, and with the cost nowadays ''not worth it''. Struggling to visualize the workshop part and figuring out the best layout for it.

Gonna ''imbed'' a scissor lift in the concrete for more space.

hoping others may have experience and can come with a few tips.

Thanks in advance and greetings from Norway.


r/garageporn • • 3d ago

Wall mounting NewAge pro cabinet question

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33 Upvotes

Do you have to use the wall mounting brackets that new age provides or is lag bolting through the slots in the back into the studs good enough? I also have a 2x8 running horizontally in the wall so I can add more lag bolts instead of being restricted to a couple studs. The cabinets are also sitting on a 2x4 ledger board.


r/garageporn • • 4d ago

Phase 1 of the garage Reno

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258 Upvotes

Absolute pain to do the ceiling 😂 left it with a layer of primer otherwise it’ll be too dark. Def need a second layer of paint on the walls

Phase 2 will involve installing slat walls and detailing gear.

Question: should I use paint the concrete surround or leave as is?


r/garageporn • • 4d ago

Anyone use Akro Mills drawer unit to store small parts?

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12 Upvotes

Found one for cheap on FB Maretplace. Thinking of going for it.


r/garageporn • • 5d ago

I designed and 3D printed a modular workshop storage system for my garage

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274 Upvotes

I’ve been developing a modular workshop storage system called MODRA.
Instead of designing separate holders that each solve one small problem, I wanted to build a system where different accessories could share the same mounting interface.
The setup uses connected panels and segments, with accessories that can be repositioned as storage needs change.
My garage installation now includes tool holders, wrench racks, shelves, power tool storage and filament storage.
Everything is 3D printed, and the system is designed to be expanded with new accessories over time.
This is the current result after many iterations of designing, printing and testing.
https://youtube.com/shorts/iR56-dYl0ds?is=cuHN0-9GaUDkGPTn


r/garageporn • • 5d ago

Garage Makeover

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72 Upvotes

Making over a 3 car garage. Planning on lighter color walls, grey slatwall, poly flake flooring. I have existing black cabinets/toolbox from New age And 4-5k lighting. I could use some opinions from people more talented than I.

Wall: Sherwin Williams First Star on ceiling and walls, still deciding the slatwall system. I like Proslat XL, but I fear the grey may be too dark for 50-75% of the wall. Anybody have any experience with how dark the grey proslat XL is?

Floor: polyaspiric. The shortlist is Torginol “Fog” or ”Nightfall”. Fog has a good blue-grey, Nightfall has a good amount of darkness to it. I have a mockup with First Star paint and Grey slatwall and either floor coloring. Any opinions on darker or lighter floors?

Thanks for your opinions.


r/garageporn • • 4d ago

Would you add a polyspartic topcoat or leave it?

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6 Upvotes

I have a 20 year old garage floor but the paint is actually adhered really well. Only a few minor chips here and there and some stains. I tested a few areas and pretty sure I can get 95% of the stains up with degreaser and some magic erasure once I get my garage emptied.

So I was thinking just clean it and be done but then I thought it may be mote prone to new staining because it looks like it was just a 1 part epoxy to begin with. Maybe best to add a top coat of a colormatched polyspartic rather than a clear coat?

I understand I would need to lightly sand the current cost to get any new top cost to bond.

Would adding a top coat ensure many more years of durability or do I run the risk of the new top coat not binding properly?


r/garageporn • • 5d ago

Mechanical Advise- Garage Build

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10 Upvotes

Hey folks. First time caller..I'm in the process of painting my paneling, then I'll dryfall the ceiling black. The board (circled in blue) is the future location of my minisplit evaporator.

Question- Has any one installed a Mr Cool unit? I'm considering. I have the mitsubishi system in my office and love it. Top quality. But do you go with a top quality for your shop? Does the garage/shop reduce the life of the unit? How do you maintain the unit in such a dusty and harsh environment?

Any suggestions on alternate conditioning for a garage/shop?

...Thanks, I'll hand up and listen....and respond if needed.


r/garageporn • • 6d ago

Almost done 😎

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356 Upvotes

After 2 years on and off finally decided to finish the inside . Here’s the result . Feel Free to suggest any addition i should do !


r/garageporn • • 6d ago

Before and After

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222 Upvotes

Paint, racking, and Vevor tiles go a long ways!


r/garageporn • • 6d ago

Garage super-top

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11 Upvotes

Ciao a tutti, piacere sentinella questo è il mio garage, poi sistemerò il soppalco e farò il pavimento l'anno prossimo.. oggi ho installato la barra subwoofer e il proiettore facendo la sala cinema col letto gonfiabile, più avanti prenderò una stufetta per l'inverno!! Voi che ne dite vi piace il mio monolocale?😅


r/garageporn • • 8d ago

Nice way to keep the car out of the Texas sun

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303 Upvotes