Every successful garage floor coating starts with the proper concrete coating system: one that starts with the right Concrete Surface Profile (CSP). The CSP scale runs from 1 (smooth like glass) to 10 (rough and jagged).
A coating won’t stick to a floor that’s too slick, and there’s no benefit to making it overly rough. The sweet spot is CSP 3–4. That range creates enough texture for the coating to bond while keeping the surface even and professional.
Stickers and Dusty Surfaces
This isn’t the most elegant comparison, but it works for illustration purposes: applying a concrete coating system to a floor that hasn’t been prepped properly is a lot like trying to stick tape to a dusty wall. You regret it immediately when the tape curls off.
A garage floor coating is similar in that the surface needs to be properly prepared before applying. It’s like how so many of us have facepalmed after installing a sticker to a car without cleaning the glass first. Except this is quite a bit more expensive than that!
We don’t want your concrete coating system peeling up in a few months, so here’s what you should look for when finding a contractor to help you achieve that perfect CSP for your residence’s garage floor.
The Right Equipment for the Job
Grinding is the best way to hit that CSP 3–4 target, and propane grinders are our go-to tool. They’ve got the power to handle large spaces, the speed to get the prep done efficiently, and the mobility to move without cords getting in the way. Propane grinders give us the consistency we need to prep concrete properly, whether it’s for a residential garage or a bigger commercial space.
What We Leave Behind
Other prep methods might seem faster or cheaper, but they don’t deliver long-term results. Acid etching and water jetting leave the floor too smooth for a coating system to stick. Sandblasting and rotomilling go the other way—leaving the floor more rough than it needs to be. And while electric grinders are common, they’re slower, less powerful, and end up costing more in labor.
Propane grinders, on the other hand, combine power and safety. They emit near-zero exhaust, and propane itself has a narrow flammability range, making them safe even indoors.
Prep First, Coating Second
The truth is, coatings fail because the prep wasn’t done right—not because the coating itself was weak. That’s why we put so much emphasis on proper surface prep. A garage floor coating isn’t just a quick upgrade—it’s an investment in your home or business. Give us a call or email today, and let’s talk about how we can get your concrete prepped right and your floor finished with a coating that lasts.
